Embargo: 09.00, Wednesday 25th October 2023
The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) has published its online register of accredited firms, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of its accreditation scheme.
The scheme, which launched in September, is how the ECB will create accountability and drive good practice within the enforcement sector. 42 successful firms have been included in the register following a 4-week initial application period. This includes very large, medium sized and small organisations that are drawn from across high court and civil enforcement.
The accreditation scheme will provide creditors with a valuable resource with which to make considered purchasing decisions, as well as providing the public with a tool to verify a firm’s status.
Firms included in the register have agreed to follow the following first-year accreditation criteria:
- Complying with the requirements of current Ministry of Justice National Standards (which were previously advisory)
- Providing the ECB with Quarterly Data Returns
- Providing information to the ECB on request
- Payment of the levy (which funds ECB operation) in a timely fashion
The ECB will continue to develop the accreditation scheme, with plans to evolve the criteria next year to include complaints handling, and the active monitoring of industry standards.
The register will be updated monthly to reflect any new successful applications.
Commenting, ECB Chief Executive Chris Nichols said:
“Publication of the register is a significant milestone for the ECB and our mission to ensure that everyone who experiences enforcement action is treated fairly.
“ As anticipated, accreditation was taken up across the board, from the largest national firms to smaller regional providers, and from across both the civil and high court enforcement sectors.
“In so doing, the enforcement industry has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to oversight.
“The ECB encourages creditors who use enforcement firms to make use of this new tool which will help them to ensure that they are only working with firms who have committed to accountability by signing up to our oversight.
“With accreditation in place, our focus now turns to developing our own standards, complaints handling processes and operating model by the Autumn of next year and we look forward to working with partners and stakeholders on the development of these plans. “
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) is the independent oversight body responsible for overseeing the enforcement industry.
The ECB aims to enhance industry standards and ensure those experiencing enforcement action are fairly treated.
To access the register, please visit https://enforcementconductboard.org/directory/