Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the statutory basis is for his request to the Chairman of The High Court Enforcement Officers Association for enforcement agents not to enter residential properties for the purpose of enforcement.

The Guidance was issued by the Lord Chancellor pursuant to his functions, duties and powers in relation to the civil justice system, including his general duty under section 1 of the Courts Act 2003 to ensure that there is an efficient and effective system to carry on the business of the High Court and the county court, and his common law powers under the Ram doctrine.

On 16 November the Government laid the Public Health (Coronavirus) (Protection from Eviction and Taking Control of Goods) (England) Regulations 2020. From 17 November, the regulations prevent enforcement agents taking control of goods inside homes while the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No.4) Regulations 2020 are in force. They also prevent enforcement agents from enforcing evictions (other than in limited circumstances) until 11 January.