DMBM665130 - Enforcement action: CCP: general: responsibility for county court work

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Ultimate responsibility for the proper conduct of county court cases rests with the higher debt manager / senior debt manager.

Role of the higher debt manager

The higher debt manager

  • supervises progress of the proceedings to ensure a satisfactory and speedy conclusion and ensures that
  • there is no unnecessary delay in taking proceedings (particularly the entry of judgment in default)
  • prompt and effective action is taken at all stages
  • decides what action is necessary when a defence is entered
  • may choose to take over conduct of difficulty/complex cases and attend court in those cases as necessary
  • attends court where it is the intention to apply for a committal order
  • checks and signs submissions to the Debt Management Support Office
  • makes sure that debt managers attending county court hearings
  • are fully aware of the responsible nature of the work
  • have attended the appropriate training course
  • are competent in their duties and have a full understanding of how they should conduct themselves in court
  • are familiar with the procedures for the courts they deal with
  • understand that they are immediately to report to them (the higher debt manager) in cases of doubt or difficulty.

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Role of the debt manager

Immediate responsibility for the detailed conduct of county court work rests with the debt manager who should

  • take all proceedings on behalf of the ‘Commissioners for H M Revenue and Customs’ (see DMBM665090)
  • appear in, or attend at, court except where the higher debt manager has taken over a case
  • supervise any work dealt with by a debt management officer.

Role of the debt management officer

A debt management officer may:

  • send documents to the court where an appearance is not necessary
  • deal with clerical work in the preparation or follow up of county court cases.