× Search rightsnet
Search options

Where

Benefit

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction

From

to

22 October, 2020 Open access

Lord Chancellor requests that enforcement agents do not enter residential properties in areas classified as at COVID local alert level 2 or 3 for the purposes of enforcement, including taking control of goods and carrying out evictions

Mr Buckland adds that Ministry of Justice will keep its approach under review 'in order to ensure it remains responsive and proportionate'

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Robert Buckland has written to the High Court Enforcement Officers Association to request that enforcement agents do not enter residential properties in areas classified as at COVID local alert level 2 or 3 for the purposes of enforcement, including taking control of goods and carrying out evictions

Further to previous guidance which directed enforcement officers not to carry out evictions in areas where local lockdown regulations placed any restriction on gatherings in residential properties, Mr Buckland says - 

'Following the implementation of the new Local COVID Alert Level system, I am writing to clarify that under the new system in England, we would request that your members should insruct the enforcement agents working under their authorisation not to enter residential properties in areas that are classified as Local Alert Level 2 (high) or 3 (very high), for the purposes of enforcement, including taking control of goods and carrying out evictions.'

Observing that the situation is rapidly changing, Mr Buckland adds - 

'... we will continue to keep our approach under review in order to ensure it remains responsive and proportionate, including in respect of the enforcement of the different types of debt and possession cases.'

NB - Mr Buckland says that he is writing in similar terms to the Civil Enforcement Association and the Certificated Enforcement Agents Association.

A copy of the Lord Chancellor's letter is available via the High Court Enforcement Group Twitter feed