When do bailiffs turn up after the Warrant has been issued?

11 Days

When the Warrant of Control is issued by the court, the authority or council receives it electronically in real time,^[1] and from there, it passes to the bailiff company.^[1]

The bailiff company will (or should) send the debtor named on the warrant of control, a Notice of Enforcement.^[2]

Since 1 May 2026, the Notice of Enforcement must usually be given to the debtor not less than 14 clear days before the bailiff takes control of the debtor’s goods.^[3]

The 14 clear days do not include a Sunday, bank holiday, Good Friday or Christmas Day.^[4]

If the Notice of Enforcement is given by post, then the bailiff must allow adequate time for Royal Mail to deliver the Notice.

The rules of court state that first class service is the second day after it was posted, provided that day is a business day; or if not, the next business day after that day.^[5]

A "business day" means any day except Saturday, Sunday, a bank holiday, Good Friday or Christmas Day.^[6]

Together, this means there are usually about 18 days between the date of issue printed on the Notice of Enforcement and the earliest date the bailiffs can turn up, depending on posting and excluded days. If a debt advice provider requests an extension, the compliance period may run to at least 28 clear days from the date the Notice of Enforcement was given.

If the bailiff takes control of goods, or clamps a car before this time limit has lapsed, the debtor recover damages for the breach.^[7][8]

^{[1] Civil Procedure Rule 75.4
[2] Paragraph 7.1 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[3] Regulation 6(1) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[4] Regulation 6(2) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[5] Civil Procedure Rule 6.14
[6] Civil Procedure Rule 6.2(b)
[7] Paragraph 7.1 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[7] Paragraph 66(1) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007}