Seizing a debtor's personalised number plate!

[Relaxed]

Hello everyone.

I am pursuing a chap for a substantial debt. One option I am considering is applying for seizure of his car plus, more importantly, the valuable 'personalised' number plate. Unfortunately he has currently gone to ground.

As it is not the physical number plate itself, but the registration of it, that has the value, would it be possible to seize it by application directly to the DVLA, requiring them to transfer ownership, or at the very least 'freeze' it to prevent a sale? What sort of court order would achieve this?

Many thanks.

 

[Clarkmans]

How much are you owed? Do you have a judgment against him?

 

[Relaxed]

Hello Clare - I do have a judgment against him for a debt in excess of £10,000 and may be pursuing him for a further £5,000. The number plate would be worth well in excess of £20,000 without a doubt, so it's worth going for - but how??

 

[Chris Ashdown]

call in the bailifs

 

[Clarkmans]

Your best option is to use a High Court Enforcement officer. They can sieze any assets belonging to the defendant. You have to pay a £50 court fee to get the judgment transferred to the high court.

If you want to email me the judgment and claim form I can sort this out for you. We only charge if a recovery is made and then it can be recovered from defendant so it's less work for you at no cost! You still have to pay the court fee though.

Regards

Clare

 

[Relaxed]

Your best option is to use a High Court Enforcement officer. They can sieze any assets belonging to the defendant.

Okay, but given my original point about the value of number plate being in its registration (and the whereabouts of the car is unknown) would the Enforcement officer apply directly to DVLA for possession of the number?

 

[Clarkmans]

They would be able to carry out a search to find out where the car is registered but if he is hiding elsewhere you will have to trace him first. They cannot just tske over the registration.

There may be other ways to enforce if you can't trace him. Do you hold any information on him? ie. bank or employer details?

 

[Chris Ashdown]

The balifs could grab the car and auction it to raise money to pay themselves and you, That would include the number plate and car as one unit, just find the car

 

[Relaxed]

They cannot just take over the registration.

Sorry if I'm seeming thick. A physical number plate is worth a couple of quid. I couldn't buy one at a car boot sale and expect to use it. It's the right to use it that carries the value, which is achieved by legal registration. I don't see how a bailiff can seize a number plate (with or without a car attached!) and sell the rights to the number without reference to the DVLA to change registration / ownership. Please explain.

 

[Seal-tech]

Isnt the reg allocated to the car ? so by reposessing the car you get the reg ?

Thats my understanding.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

He can transfer the number plate as he is the rightful owner. My guess is you would need a court order specifically relating to the number plate.

 

[kulture]

To answer the O/P original question, I suspect you should ask the DVLA whether it is possible to transfer ownership in this way, especially if you dont have possesion of the car. It may be that there is a way if you have the right court order.

 

[Relaxed]

He can transfer the number plate as he is the rightful owner.

Sorry, who is he?

you should ask the DVLA whether it is possible to transfer ownership in this way,

I started by ringing the DVLA. When I eventually got through to a person all he could say was 'You need to consult a solicitor.' He wouldn't transfer me to the legal department or anyone else. I also rang the County Court helpline - and they said exactly the same thing. Excrutiatingly unhelpful!

To attempt to answer my own original question: I could get a Charging Order put on a house without going anywhere near it because its ownership is registered at the Land Registry. I apply to the court, get the judgment, notify the Land Registry and they amend the register for that property. Ownership of a car number is registered at the DVLA. So could a Charging Order or something like it not be used in the same way as above - without ever having to find the car?

I'm grateful for all responses thus far but I feel no-one has yet come up with the definitive answer. So the gauntlet remains very much thrown down..!