Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013

Following The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (Commencement No. 9) Order 2013 which brought into force the provisions of Part 3 and Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, the Government have today laid before Parliament, The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013. The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 will introduce new procedures for the enforcement sector, that are hoped will simplify the enforcement process, these will include:

• The serving of a notice of enforcement to take legal control of goods
• Exempt goods
• Days and times when an enforcement agent can take control of goods
• Powers of entry
• Storing and selling goods subject to legal control
• Distributing sale proceeds

It is the Government's intention to release two further statutory instruments in the autumn, one to deal with the fees that enforcement agents will be allowed to charge and the second to deal with the requirements an individual will have to meet before they can work as an enforcement agent, including the certification process. This second instrument will also include details of the complaints process that will be available under the new regulations. It is the Government's intention for these new regulations to be implemented in April 2014. The team at High Court Enforcement Group will be keeping its clients informed of the effects of the changes and the implementation of the regulations, but if you would like to discuss these then please do contact Alan J Smith, Director of Corporate Governance, alan.smith@hcegroup.co.uk