Sheriffs have reacted to the changes to the civil procedure rules by offering their own fast track and cost effective response.

Undoubtedly they are concerned that they stand to lose a great deal of work by virtue of the fact that most debt collection will now take place in the County Court.

The Lord Chancellor did change the rules to allow transfers of Judgment debts over £1,000 to the High Court so that the Sheriff could then be instructed. That figure is reduced to £600 from the 26th April 1999.

Using that reform as a springboard, the Sheriffs have set up the Sheriffs Lodgment Centre in London. Creditors simply fax their County Court Judgments to them and they will deal with the paperwork.

Most Sheriffs have pledged that they will not charge more than £50 + VAT in the event of an abortive execution. They are also equipping themselves with digital cameras so that they can provide photographic evidence to Creditors of the debtor’s property. This will assist Creditors where alternative enforcement methods are required.

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