Sources (via David Laity):
- Devon and Cornwall Police: Guidance on Attending Premises with Bailiffs
- Case Law Pertaining to Bailiffs in England and Wales
- Enforcement Agents: The Police and the Law

Statute Law
- Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
- Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
- Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014
- Certification of Enforcement Agents Regulations 2014

Bailiff Types
- County Court or Family Court Bailiff (these are civil servants)
- High Court Enforcement Office
- Civilian Enforcement Officers (can have powers of arrest, commital, detention and distress)
- Certificated Bailiffs (cannot act on High/County Court Orders) (see official register at https://certificatedbailiffs.justice.gov.uk/)
- Non-Certificated Bailiffs (can only seize nominated goods)
- Landlords (enforcing (commercial?) rent)
- Collectors of Taxes (enforcing unpaid Income Tax, NI, etc., can force entry)
- private debt collector (not allowed to take control of goods)

Bailiff's Authority & Identity
- derives from Warrants of Control, Writs or Liability Orders
- Warrant from County Court
- Distress Warrant or Liability Order from Magistrates' Court
- must upon request show: badge or ID card, written authorisation
- only the named bailiff (if named)(typos excepted) may execute the warrant
- warrant is only valid at the specified address
- bailiffs with a 'walking possession' agreement can re-enter premises by force
- 'walking possession' agreements must not be made under duress or coercion
- spouses and children cannot sign 'walking possession' agreements
- require written authorisation to act for creditor

Bailiffs can seize:
- a debtor's car (N.B. requires a Clamping Order; must leave a 'Warning of Immobilisation' notice w/ date,time,reason,24h contact no., ref no.)
- outside goods such as garden equipment

Bailiff behaviour (applies in all attached buildings)
- a Notice of Enforcement must be served on the debtor, can be delivered by mail or electronically. No requirement for proof of posting, registered mail or signature for receipt
- must not act unreasonably or unlawfully or provoke the debtor
- frequent or persistent actions/demands can constitute unlawful harassment (Sec. 40 Adminstration of Justice Act 1970) (rarely)
- must not use violence or the threat thereof, or assault or criminal damage
- entry to premises must be peaceful and unforced, except when enforcing unpaid fines
- must not break or force doors or windows, use a landlord's key or use a locksmith
- must not force their way past someone at a door or wedge their foot
- once lawfully entered, a bailiff can break open internal doors
- cannot unlock a door from inside through a catflap or letterbox
- can assume the debtor owns goods, burden of proof lies with debtor
- cannot levy goods observed through a window ('constructive levy')
- goods seized must be accurately valued and worth no more than 300% of the debt ('excessive levy')
- cannot enter if any of the following are present: children under 16, seriously ill, recently bereaved, the elderly or disabled, single parent families, pregnant women, unemployed people, people with English language difficulties
- cannot enter between 2100-0600 hrs
- may only enter via a door
- at least 7 days prior notice must be given
- cannot take essential items or trade tools (worth < £1,350)
- a High/County Court Writ of Control empowers EA to use reasonable force to enter premises, but not directly against a person.

Police Function
- prevent a breach of the peace
- attend or prevent an incident when a specific criminal offence has occurred or is likely to occur
- verify bailiff's identity & status, correctness of premises & debtor, the authority to act and power to enter premises
- prevent the EA from being hindered or obstructed in the execution of their order
- in the absence of such lawful authority, the constable should prevent entry by or remove the bailiff
- must not act as an arbiter, nor determine the rights and wrongs
- must not in any way assist in the seizure of any goods
- arrest a party causing a real and imminent threat of breach of the peace

Debtors
- must not forcibly exclude bailiff if they have already gained peaceful entry
- must not conceal or remove goods allocated as 'subject of distress' ('walking possession')
- may conceal/remove non-allocated goods to avoid distress
- an open door is an implied licence to enter
- can post a notice removing implied right of access to property or grounds
- no legal requirement to allow entry to their home, and may use equal force to prevent a bailiff from entering

Third Parties
- must not intentionally hinder/obstruct a lawful Enforcement Agent or interfere with 'controlled goods' (penalty fine and/or imprisonment <= 51 weeks)
- such hindrance could constitute a breach of the peace