Commercial debt recovery reimagined: Learn about the new national service transforming enforcement
Written by Remote Court Users
A pioneering new service has launched with the ambition to reshape the landscape of commercial debt recovery and enforcement across England & Wales.
Remote Court Users (RCU) introduces a streamlined, scalable model that places creditors, legal professionals, enforcement agencies, and the court system in closer alignment, delivering efficiency, transparency, and societal benefit.
A new clearing house for enforcement
RCU positions itself as a national clearing house for Writs of Control, facilitating the transfer of County Court Judgments (CCJs) to the High Court for execution.
Sitting at the intersection of SMEs, lawyers, High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs), and HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), RCU offers a centralised, accessible route to enforcement that aims to reduce friction and increase throughput.
Our ambition is clear: to become the sole provider of Transfer Up Services in England & Wales, offering a consistent and compliant pathway for commercial creditors to recover funds.
A service designed for the SME community
RCU’s offering is particularly tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), though it is open to all sectors.
The service is designed to:
- Eliminate abortive fees: Creditors and their legal representatives will not be charged for unsuccessful enforcement attempts.
- Preserve existing relationships: Where a creditor or legal team has a preferred HCEO, RCU will facilitate direct instruction.
- Ensure fair allocation: In the absence of a preferred agency, RCU will allocate cases on a cab-rank basis to registered HCEOs—free to join the RCU partnership register.
- Provide End-to-end case management: From instruction to resolution, RCU manages the process while keeping stakeholders informed throughout.
Scaling the market, supporting the courts
The current High Court Enforcement market processes approximately 154,000 Writs annually.
RCU projects that its model could unlock an additional 650,000 Writs in its initial phase, potentially increasing HMCTS revenue from £10 million to £64 million per annum.
This growth would not only ease the burden on County Court Bailiffs but also provide the financial foundation for digitising the enforcement process nationwide.
Leadership rooted in experience
RCU is founded by Amir Ali OBE, a recognised figure in the debt recovery and enforcement sector.
His credentials include:
- Over two decades in private practice, specialising in Debt Recovery and Dispute Resolution
- 13 years in High Court Enforcement
- 11 years on the Board of the Civil Court Users Association (CCUA), including five as Chair
- Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (FCICM)
- Membership of CICM’s Think Tank and Technical Committee
- Presidency of the Professional Paralegal Register (PPR)
- Advisory roles on law boards at several UK universities
Amir’s extensive experience across the debt recovery ecosystem positions him uniquely to lead RCU’s mission to modernise and democratise enforcement.
A mission with social impact
RCU’s ethos is rooted in reform and responsibility. As Amir explains: “Debt Recovery in England & Wales has remained fundamentally unchanged for over three decades.
“RCU exists to do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reasons—and reform the landscape for all.”
In addition to its operational goals, RCU will donate £75 from each case where full recovery is achieved to its forthcoming Legal Aid Foundation, which will support legal charities offering advice and representation to those without financial means.
Who can benefit?
RCU welcomes instructions from:
- SMEs owed commercial debts
- Legal professionals specialising in debt recovery and dispute resolution
- Local authorities and utility providers.
- Enforcement Businesses offering High Court Enforcement Services.
The service is available for unregulated monetary judgments of £600 or more, and is designed to offer a compliant, cost-effective route to enforcement.