What You’ll Learn in This Article:

• How enforcement affects businesses (both sole traders and companies)

• What assets and income can be frozen by the bailiff

• Defense options – and when it’s too late

• How enforcement impacts clients, employees, and banks

• How to protect your business before it’s too late

Why Enforcement is Dangerous for Business

Unlike employees, self-employed individuals don’t have “protected income”. A bailiff can:

• freeze your business account,

• redirect claims from your clients (they must pay the bailiff instead),

• seize income directly from your self-employment activities,

• seize assets in your office (equipment, inventory, tools).

If you have no backup account or financial cushion, this can mean immediate shutdown.

Real-life Examples

🔴 A self-employed plumber forgot about an old parking fine. Three years later, an enforcement order arrived. His bank account was frozen. Clients couldn’t pay him, and he couldn’t buy supplies or fuel. Within a week, he gave up and closed his business.

🔴 A small IT company lost a software licensing lawsuit. They ignored the judgment. Once final, the bailiff ordered direct seizure of client payments. The company went bankrupt in less than a month.

What the Bailiff Can and Cannot Do

• A bailiff cannot freeze accounts held under someone else’s name (e.g. a spouse) unless there’s a judgment against that person too.

• They cannot seize assets not owned by the debtor – but they often try, and it’s then up to the debtor to file a separate exclusion claim.

🚨 Even unlawful enforcement actions can cause serious harm – which is why you must act fast.

How to Protect Your Business

✅ If you’re at risk of enforcement:

• Talk to a lawyer – you might be able to request suspension or cancellation

• Prepare for debt relief (insolvency) in time

• Consider changing the invoicing process, such as via a third-party account (legally!)

• Explore changing your marital property regime or business structure

Lawyer’s Recommendation

Debt enforcement can be devastating – especially for sole traders without reserves. Many clients contact me only after their account has been frozen. By then, it’s often too late to undo the damage. I strongly advise seeking legal help as soon as a lawsuit or payment order is filed – don’t wait for the bailiff to show up.