The second Enforcement Stage fee applies only if the debt remains unpaid and no Controlled Goods Agreement (CGA) is in place. Bailiffs are deterred from setting up a CGA because they can only recover this fee if the CGA is breached.

Consequently, bailiffs often just show up to recover the fee.

It's common practice for bailiffs to charge both the first and second enforcement stage fees during a single visit, but this is not permissible if the bailiff establishes a CGA with the debtor.

If you propose a CGA to the bailiff, they are likely to accept it only if they cannot recover the debt by other means. In such a case, they may start removing goods to attract the Second Enforcement Stage fee.

If you are not the debtor and the bailiff is collecting fees from you, then you may file a Third Party Claim to recover that money along with your legal costs.

You may apply to the court for a detailed assessment