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Sheriffs can help Credit Managers achieve success in enforcing Court judgments. Yet very few people appreciate that the Office of Sheriff is available to them in enforcing Civil Court Judgments both through the High Court and the County Court.
The Historic Office
In 1992, the Sheriffs of England and Wales celebrated their first 1,000 years. The Office of Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the kingdom. Since the time of King Alfred and King Canute, sheriffs have been part of the fabric of English history. Some 14 sheriffs were involved in preparation of the Magna Carta.
Over the centuries, society evolved to spread the duties and responsibilities of the sheriffs to others. The sheriffs have adapted to these changes and the Office survives in 1998 with remnants of its historical origins
Present Day
There are 63 sheriffs in England and Wales. The sheriffs are chosen or "pricked" by the sovereign. The term "pricked" is believed to have come from the way in which Elizabeth I chose a sheriff with her embroidery needle when the parchment with the list of names was placed before her!
The 63 sheriffs cover England and Wales. The areas or "bailiwicks" follow county boundaries before the Local Government Act 1974 was enacted.
The High Sheriff is the head of the structure. Each High Sheriff takes an oath which includes a duty to "collect the Queen's debts without promise or favour" and "without great grievance to the debtors".
This part of the High Sheriff's oath translates into one of the sheriff's main duties, which is to enforce the judgments of the High Court. The High Sheriff delegates this duty to his or her "under sheriff".
Under sheriffs are practising solicitors who undertake the responsibility to enforce High Court judgments.
The day-to-day work of executing the Court's order is delegated from the under sheriff to the sheriff's officers who are appointed by the High Sheriff on the recommendation of the under sheriff.
Sheriff's officers are trained in the procedures of execution against goods and take examinations set by the Sheriff's Officers Association of England and Wales.
The Writ of Fieri Facias - To Seize and Sell
Of all the orders which a sheriff is required to carry out under the Rules of...