Many bailiffs call themselves "officers," but they are Enforcement Agents without the authority to officiate. When executing a High Court Writ, they may call themselves a "High Court Enforcement Officer" and wear uniforms labelled "OFFICER" but this is a form of fraud.

It's important to understand that bailiffs, called Enforcement Agents, can only work with a valid certificate. Section 63 of the Tribunals, Courts, and Enforcement Act 2007 clearly states this. The Ministry of Justice maintains a register of individuals with valid enforcement certificates.

Regulation 6 of the High Court Enforcement Officers Regulations 2004 defines a High Court Enforcement Officer as an individual authorised to act as an enforcement officer. The High Court Enforcement Officers Association, a limited company, keeps a list of members, although membership is not compulsory.

An enforcement agent or any other individual falsely claims to be authorised as an enforcement officer is misleading and committing a serious offence under section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006 and may be reported to the police