Newer version available

There is a newer version of this publication available:
Debt Advice Handbook Scotland 1st ed - with new material

2. What sheriff officers do

• Entering a home or workplace
• Forcing entry
• Checking an officer’s identity
• Eviction
• Exceptional attachment

A sheriff officer can visit homes or workplaces to serve you court papers and enforce court orders (including summary warrants) issued by the sheriff court. They can enforce court orders for:

•eviction;
•debt;
•property arguments;
•family matters (like adoption or divorce).

They can also carry out orders to:

•remove members of your family from your house (like an abused child or violent partner);
•deliver a witness citation or other legal documents to you, if the court needs proof they were delivered.

Sheriff officers can also sometimes work as debt collectors, but they cannot use the powers available to them as a sheriff officer.