Direction to Enforce:

Question: What does the Direction to Enforce writ of seizure and sale of personal property (Form 20O) require a Sheriff or bailiff to do in Ontario Small Claims Court?

Answer: In Ontario Small Claims Court, the Direction to Enforce writ of seizure and sale of personal property (Form 20O) is the creditor’s (or creditor’s legal representative’s) written instruction filed with the bailiff so the enforcement officer can proceed with the seizure and public sale according to the writ and the required scope of the order.  It typically tells the bailiff what items are to be seized and sold, flags any relevant exemptions, and helps ensure the officer acts within the authority of the underlying writ of seizure and sale while following the Small Claims Court rules, including that the creditor may request enforcement by filing Form 20O with the bailiff (see Rules of the Small Claims Court, O. Reg. 258/98, Rule 20.06(4)).  After seizure, the officer generally secures the property until sale, publishes an auction notice, notifies the debtor, and then applies sale proceeds to the judgment after allowable enforcement costs.  For help verifying what should be included in Form 20O and what to expect next, PKM Legal Services can guide you in plain language across Ontario; call (519) 410-5250.

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Advising Sheriff or Bailiff of Specifics

The Direction to Enforce Writ of Seizure and Sale of Personal Property (Form 20O) is an important document in the enforcement process, which instructs the enforcement officer (typically a Sheriff or Bailiff) on the specific actions to take regarding the sale of the personal property of the Debtor.  The primary purpose of the Direction to Enforce Writ of Seizure and Sale of Personal Property (Form 20O) is to provide clear, written instructions from the Creditor or the legal representative of the Creditor, outlining the details of the property to be seized and sold, any relevant exemptions, and how the enforcement should proceed.

Note: Please contact PKM Legal Services by phone at: (519) 410-5250 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.

With respect to the Direction to Enforce Writ of Seizure and Sale of Personal Property (Form 20O), the Rules of the Small Claims Court, O.  Reg. 258/98, specifically state:

The Direction to Enforce Writ of Seizure and Sale of Personal Property (Form 20O) helps to ensure that the enforcement officer acts within the bounds of the Writ of Seizure and Sale of Personal Property (Form 20C), how the enforcement officer complies with the legal requirements, and how to adhere to the priorities of the Creditor.  The direction also serves to minimize potential disputes or misunderstandings between the enforcement officer, the Creditor, and the Debtor, providing a clear framework for effectively and lawfully enforcing the Judgment.

Liquidation Procedures

Once personal property of a Debtor is seized, the personal property will be stored securely until it can be sold at a public auction.  The enforcement officer, such as a Sheriff or Bailiff, must publish a notice of the auction in accordance with legal requirements to ensure that the public is informed of the sale.  This notice is typically published in a local newspaper or other appropriate publication and must provide sufficient details regarding the time, location, and items being sold.  Additionally, the enforcement officer must issue a notice to the Debtor, informing the Debtor of the pending auction and providing details about the property being sold.  These steps are critical to ensuring transparency and compliance with the legal process, allowing both the Debtor and potential buyers the opportunity to participate.  The proceeds from the sale are then used to satisfy the Judgment, after deducting any applicable enforcement fees and costs associated with the seizure and sale.