What is the difference between a collection agency and a bailiff

The most important difference between a collection agency and a bailiff is the difference in interests

The interests of a collection agency and a bailiff differ. A collection agency does not benefit from conducting court procedures, except when this is necessary to collect the claim. After all, the collection agency does not carry out bailiff work (official acts).

These official acts are only needed after or during a court procedure and may only be carried out by a bailiff.

In short: by starting a lawsuit, the bailiff can carry out their core business. No procedure is necessary for the core business of a collection agency (collecting the claim).

The bailiff's interest in earning money largely depends on a court procedure. A collection agency has the same interest as the client: collecting a claim as quickly as possible, without wasting time and incurring unnecessary costs. You can engage us without any risk of costs: no cure, no pay!

Similarities between a collection agency and a bailiff

A bailiff's office often employs both bailiffs and case handlers. At a collection agency, often only case handlers work. A case handler at a bailiff's office handles the cases and can ask the in-house bailiff to carry out an official act. For a collection agency this works in a similar way: they also engage a bailiff when an official act is required.

Before a bailiff may use their special powers (such as seizing assets), a procedure at the court must first be started.

“So it is not the case that a bailiff's office, without a court ruling, has more powers than a collection agency or lawyer. In the amicable collection process, all parties have the same powers.”

One of the similarities between a collection agency and a bailiff is starting a procedure before the subdistrict court. This can be arranged independently by both a collection agency and a bailiff.

Only after the court has assessed and awarded the claim can the bailiff use their special powers (official acts), for example to seize the debtor's bank account or vehicle.

• A collection agency engages a bailiff from their network, whereas a bailiff's office arranges this internally. In terms of time or quality this need not make any difference at all; it can even be faster when a collection agency supplies an instruction. For example, because a collection agency supplies multiple cases to the bailiff and is therefore an important client whom the bailiff wants to keep satisfied. If, however, you have a single case with the bailiff, the bailiff may give higher priority to other clients.
• A collection agency engages a bailiff from their network, whereas a bailiff's office arranges this internally.
• In terms of time or quality this need not make any difference at all; it can even be faster when a collection agency supplies an instruction. For example, because a collection agency supplies multiple cases to the bailiff and is therefore an important client whom the bailiff wants to keep satisfied. If, however, you have a single case with the bailiff, the bailiff may give higher priority to other clients.

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