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Citizens Advice responds to MOJ’s Compliance Review on Bailiffs

17 February 2012

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive at national charity Citizens Advice said:

"This review falls far short of protecting people in financial difficulty from the excessive and unfair practices carried out by bailiffs. While the re-coding of the law on bailiffs is welcome, without an independent regulatory body to oversee the bailiff industry, these reforms are unlikely to deal with the serious problems that we continue to see.

"We're also disappointed at proposals which will lead to a massive increase in bailiff fees for enforcing council tax debts. Almost 70% of enquiries Citizens Advice Bureaux receive about bailiffs relate to council tax debt. The review does nothing to stop bailiffs in England increasing their fees for families already in dire straits from £42.50 to over £300.

"Jonathan Djanogly must offer squeezed households more protection."

Citizens Advice

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. For online advice and information see www.adviceguide.org.uk
  3. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.9 million problems from April 2011 to March 2012. For full 2011/2012 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
  4. Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable (nfpSynergy’s Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).
  5. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,500 service outlets across England and Wales.