Marston Holdings is one of the largest judicial services in the UK. They are enforcement agents (bailiffs) – often referred to as Marstons or Marston Bailiffs – who collect outstanding debts, such as Council Tax, parking fines, rent arrears in communities across the UK.
Marston Holdings Debt Recovery offer Transportation and Enforcement services to over 500 clients in central government, local government and businesses. Marston have a nationwide presence and operate throughout the UK. They process over 1.5 million claims a year and have a network of over 1,000 enforcement agents and 650 customer care agents.
Marston Debt Recovery claim to be the largest judicial services group in the UK. Marston’s work with a number of different groups and people including large corporations with multiple writs, local authorities, solicitors, debt collection agencies, credit controllers, Utility companies, Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) or individuals who are looking for a one-off debt recovery service. Marston’s offer a number of services.
High Court Writs
One of their services is called ‘Transfer Up’. This is the process where they will transfer a court order for enforcement from a County Court Judgement (CCJ) to a High Court Writ. By transferring up CCJ’s to a High Court Writ will ensure maximum chance of recovery for the debt collection agency. The process of ‘transferring up’ will usually take 28 days to complete. Marston Debt recovery claim to complete the debt recovery process in less than 14 days in over 90% of the cases they work with. They clearly do not mess about so it’s well to be on yoru guard!
Aged Writs
This is when writs are written off and can’t be enforced.  Judgements have a lifespan of six years and Marston’s attempt to recover the writ over the course of the six years, and will visit the writ regularly.
Writs of Delivery
This is where somebody has failed to stick to an agreement and the recovery of assets is required, such as vehicles or machinery. This means Marston bailiffs coming and taking assets including cars from you to settle the debt!
Evictions – Enforcement of Possession Orders
This is usually based on a County Court Judgement of a High Court Order. It can be enforced for a number of scenarios such as removing squatters from a building, if you are a tenant who has failed to pay rent, bankruptcy leading to a loss of a home or removing travellers on an open site. Once an order is obtained, it can be escalated to the High Court for enforcement by the High Court Enforcement Officer.
Recovery of Debt
Marstons claim to have recover over £30 million for High Court Clients each year!
Employment Tribunal Awards
Marston also recover debt associated with employment tribunal awards or ACAS settlements using High Court Enforcement Officers.
Forfeiture of Lease
This is where commercial tenants have rent arrears and are in breach of covenant. Marston’s Bailiffs will attempt to recover the premises.
Can Marston Holdings Send Bailiffs to My House?
In some cases, if court action has been taken and your debts are still due then the courts may appoint Marston Holdings’ bailiffs to recover property and assets to the value of the debt.
Can Marston Holdings Break into My House?
The chances of Marston being able to enter your property are quite rare. They can only do this if a Liability Order has been issued against you by a magistrate on behalf of the local authority. If you are a business then there would need to be an unpaid fine from a Magistrate, County Court or High Court.
Reasonable Force
It is the law that enforcement agencies are only able to enter a property if they have been inside the property before. They are then able to use what is known as ‘reasonable force’ to re-enter. This could involve the use of a Locksmith to help them gain entry. They can only try and gain entry during the hours of 6am to 9pm.
What Can Marston Group Bailiffs Take?
There are restrictions on what can be removed from your property by bailiffs. If you have given them entry of they have gained entry by other means, then they can remove what is known as ‘Walking Possessions’. These are those which are subject to ‘Taking Control of Goods Regulations’. They will make an inventory of any of those possessions in your home and estimate the current value. You can enter into a ‘Controlled Goods Agreement’ with them which will give you time to pay the outstanding debt.
If you fail to pay them, then they can return to your property and remove items. There are certain items which Marston cannot take. These include essential items such as bedding, refrigerators, medical equipment, cookers and other items.
