The government has pledged to improve the efficiency of the bailiff system, stating that most possession cases do not require bailiff enforcement. Labour's Lord Lemos confirmed in a written parliamentary answer that HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is exploring measures to enhance bailiff recruitment and retention.
This initiative comes as court backlogs continue, with Lord Lemos noting that in 2025, the median average wait between a claim and repossession by County Court bailiffs was 27 weeks. He also stated that around 31% of claims submitted in 2025 required bailiff enforcement.
Lord Lemos explained that tenants often vacate properties at various stages of the process, meaning only a minority of possession claims lead to bailiff enforcement. HMCTS is also working to reduce administrative tasks for bailiffs to improve communications and efficiency.