Who we are?

CIVEA is the principal trade association representing civil enforcement agencies employing around 1500 certificated enforcement agents in England and Wales.

CIVEA represents approximately 40 companies that make up more than 95% of the entire enforcement industry. CIVEA’s members work to enforce civil debt on behalf of local authorities and His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) including council tax, business rates, road traffic and parking penalties, magistrates’ court fines, employment tribunal awards, child support payments, B2B and commercial rent arrears.

This amounts to over £550 million (half a billion) of unpaid taxes and fines recovered each year at no cost to the public purse.

As local government finances come under continued pressure, the work that our members undertake is becoming increasingly important as a major source of revenue. Uncollected tax debts and fines means less money for services and higher bills for residents who do pay on time.

Civil enforcement prevents losses to the public purse of an estimated £12 billion from unpaid council tax, criminal fines, and unpaid penalty charge notices. This is a cost that taxpayers would otherwise bear.

However, the public value of effective enforcement goes well beyond the collection of revenue.

Enforcement action can be an important trigger for people to seek much needed debt advice and support, and the profession has strict safeguards in place to ensure that the vulnerable are provided with the right protection.

CIVEA’s members seek to secure payment from those who won’t pay, not those who can’t pay.

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