HMCTS Approved Enforcement Agency Services

HMCTS currently uses private contractors, known as Approved Enforcement Agencies (AEAs), to support the criminal courts by enforcing financial penalties and other criminal court orders. AEAs provide services including the execution of Warrants of Control and Warrants of Arrest, enforcement of breach arrest warrants, direct engagement with defendants to secure compliance where appropriate, and related court-directed activities such as seizure and sale arrangements. HMCTS intends to re-procure these services to ensure continuity of enforcement capability nationally and resilience in service delivery. AEAs are permitted under statute to recover their costs through recovery fees charged directly to defaulters on Warrants of Control. We are keen to engage on this re-procurement to inform the future design and delivery of these critical services. This represents a significant opportunity for enforcement providers to contribute to the delivery of justice outcomes.