Syllabus Topics

1.    Understand the role of enforcement agents within the enforcement profession.

• Describe the structure of the enforcement sector.
• Explain the purpose of the enforcement profession.
• Explain the role and responsibilities of enforcement agents in accordance with legal requirements.
• Explain the meaning of commonly used terminology.

2.    Understand the law relevant to enforcement agents.

• Identify the powers and obligations conferred by relevant Acts and regulations.
• Identify aspects of human rights legislation that are relevant to enforcement.
• Identify enforcement agents’ obligations in respect of data protection legislation.
• State possible consequences of not complying with legislation and regulations.

3.    Understand the practice of taking control of goods.

• Identify categories of legally exempt goods.
• Explain enforcement agent’s rights of entry and re-entry.
• Describe how to deal with common types of claims and exemption disputes.
• Explain the process of taking control of goods in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.

4.    Understand the practice of removal and sale of goods.

• Explain the process of removal of controlled goods in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Explain how to sell controlled goods in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Describe the implications of the sale of controlled goods on those involved.

5.    Understand relevant aspects of customer care.

• Describe how an enforcement agent can deliver good customer care in accordance with national standards.
• Describe how to deal with vulnerable people in accordance with national standards and regulations.
• Describe how to handle complaints in accordance with national standards and regulations.

6.    Understand how to manage conflict situations.

• Assess risks associated with a range of conflict situations.
• Explain how to reduce risks associated with potential conflict situations.
• Explain how to defuse conflict situations.

Please note if you do not achieve a pass grade in your exam, whilst you can re-book your exam within a few days, you will not be able to re-sit sooner than 30 days from the date of your previous attempt.

Assessment

One hour online multiple choice exam.

Date: Online Exams

Pass Marks

>75% Level 2 Pass

Learner Guidance

CICM Membership gives access to online learning materials, practice exam questions and other learning resources to support enforcement agents ongoing continuous professional development (CPD) for recertification. See the syllabus.

How to get started

Become a Studying member and you will get access to the Taking Control of Goods course within CICM Knowledge Hub.

Syllabus Topics

1.    Role and responsibilities (22%)

• Powers of enforcement agents
• Obligations of enforcement agents
• Risks associated with enforcement

2.    Taking Control of Goods (22%)

• Impact of legal, regulatory and industry frameworks on enforcement
• Prescribed forms for each stage of the Taking Control of Goods procedure
• Key risks of non-compliance associated with form completion
• Relative merits of four ways of Taking Control of Goods 

3.    Customer relationship management (14%)

• Challenges of managing internal and external relationships
• Positive outcomes for a range of stakeholders

4.    Advanced Enforcement Work (21%)

• Handling enforcement work including customers with complex requirements
• Handling customers with disputes or complaints
• Handling challenging customer behaviour

5.    Reflective practice (21%)

• Evaluation of skills and practice
• Assessment of changes in approach and outcome
• Action planning to improve performance

Assessment

One written assignment which requires work-based evidence.

Date: January, March, June or October

See Assignments for more information on how to get your assignment.

Pass Marks

50% Level 3 pass

Learner Guidance

See the Moderator Feedback Reports below and the High Court Enforcement syllabus.

Register with CICM

Become a Member to get started on your qualification journey

The High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCEOA) and the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) have collaborated to update the High Court Enforcement Officer’s education pathway.

Previously the application to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) required an academic qualification (CICM Level 4 Diploma) and an amount of practical experience in High Court Enforcement (usually 2 years), which the HCEOA confirmed through the assessment of a ‘Logbook’. This has now undergone a change and if you are undertaking this version of the qualification, you will need to refer to the old pathway.

What you will gain:

• Level 4 Diploma in High Court Enforcement 
• Level 4 Certificate in High Court Enforcement Practical Experience

The Level 4 Diploma in High Court Enforcement comprises of four compulsory units and assessments:

• Writs of Control – assignment
• Writs of Execution – assignment
• HCEO Fees and Accounting – assignment
• High Court Enforcement (Laws and Regulations) – exam

How to get started

The HCEO professional programme assumes that learners have achieved a minimum of Level 3 qualifications in enforcement related areas on entry, ideally through completion of qualifications in enforcement, law, credit management and/or consumer collections, for example CILEX or CICM. Practical experience will involve the enforcement of Writs and therefore learners require a Level 2 Award in Taking Control of Goods and enforcement agent’s certificate issued from local County Court to undertake the Level 4 Certificate of High Court Enforcement Practical Experience.

Learners apply for the programme through the HCEOA and are required to send their current CV with supporting evidence of their educational qualifications to the Association Secretary [email protected]. If it is unclear as to whether educational qualifications are at Level 3, CICM will assess CVs and advise HCEOA on eligibility. There is a fee for this service which can be found on the CICM website.

Once registered with the HCEOA, candidates must register with CICM as a studying member.  Once registered, you will need to purchase your study material and request your assignment from [email protected]

What should I do if I am part way through the old qualification pathway?

As some candidates may be part way through the current qualification and some units will be removed from the new Level 4 Diploma, the last opportunity to submit an assignment on the old pathway will be June 2024, with last certificates issued by September 2024. We are not accepting new enrolments of the old qualification pathway for Level 4 Diploma in High Court Enforcement.

From the end of October 2022, all new candidates will use the new Level 4 Certificate in High Court Enforcement Practical Experience rather than the HCEOA Logbook to evidence their ability to carry out High Court Enforcement work.

Candidates may transfer to the new Level 4 Certificate in High Court Enforcement Practical Experience which has the advantage of being a separately certificated, regulated qualification.

What are the entry requirements?

The HCEO professional programme assumes that learners have achieved a minimum of Level 3 qualifications in enforcement-related areas on entry.  Candidates must be registered with the HCEOA as a student member as well as with CICM and hold a minimum of a Level 3 qualification in enforcement-related areas.

How long will it take?

The Diploma takes about two years to complete, depending on how many units a learner takes at one time and involves three assignments and one exam. Assignment submission and exam opportunities are in January, March, June and October. Exam can only be taken once passes have been achieved for the three assignment based assessments.

How and where can I study?

You can study through supported or unsupported distance learning or through in-company training.  

Syllabus

View syllabus.

Progression

The next step is to complete your log book and submit to the High Court Enforcement Association (HCEOA) for assessment.  This is required to become fully qualified as an authorised High Court Enforcement Officer, contact the HCEOA for further information.