Enforcement

The Government has published its Green Paper Towards Effective Enforcement aimed at improving the enforcement of decisions taken in court, including both civil and criminal judgments. It proposes consolidating bailiff law and sets out possible new powers and responsibilities for enforcement agents. In particular it explores the options for the regulation of all civil enforcement agents including increased court-based direct regulation, self-regulation by the industry and a statutory regulatory scheme; the legal powers that enforcement agents need; principles for fees; and enhancing access to information to improve enforcement of court decisions. A White Paper will be published in early 2002 setting out proposals for legislation in the light of responses to the Green Paper, which may be viewed at: www.lcd.gov.uk