APD Services: what a letter means and what to do

APD’s letters can come from its enforcement work, where there is a court or council order behind them, or from its debt collection work, where there is not. The first step is to work out which you have. This guide covers England and Wales.

Who are APD Services?

The firm is registered at Companies House as APD CIVIL ENFORCEMENT SERVICES LIMITED, company number 12426482. It is an active private limited company, incorporated on 27 January 2020 as Gwasanaethau APD Services Cyf. It was renamed M-Path UK also t/a APD Services Ltd in October 2023, went through two further versions of that name, and took its current name in July 2025. Its registered office is in Llandudno Junction, Conwy. One individual holds more than 25% of the shares and has the right to appoint directors. The firm’s website is in English and Welsh, and says it has over five years of experience in civil enforcement and debt recovery across England and Wales.

The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) lists the firm as Gwasanaethau APD Services Cyf, accredited since October 2023, at the same address as the company’s registered office. It is not on the CIVEA corporate members list. The ECB is independent but voluntary; there is no statutory regulator for bailiffs yet, although in August 2026 the government announced plans to make ECB oversight compulsory.

Why might APD be contacting you?

APD says it enforces liability orders, warrants and High Court writs, and that it works with partners to transfer County Court Judgments to the High Court. It also lists commercial rent arrears recovery (CRAR) and business forfeitures, debt collection, traveller evictions and process serving.

• A liability order means a council has taken you to the magistrates’ court for council tax or business rates. See what council tax bailiffs can do.
• A High Court writ usually means a County Court Judgment of £600 or more has been transferred up. See what High Court enforcement officers can do.
• A warrant of control can come from the County Court, a magistrates’ court or, for parking penalties, the Traffic Enforcement Centre. See the warrant of control guide.
• CRAR only applies to commercial premises, not your home.
• Debt collection with no order: APD cannot take anything. You can ask for evidence of the debt: see how to ask a creditor to prove a debt.

What can APD do, and what can it not do?

Where there is an order, the same rules apply as to every bailiff in England and Wales:

• You must get a notice of enforcement at least 14 clear days before an agent can take control of your goods, or at least 28 clear days if a debt adviser asks on your behalf.
• Fees are fixed by law: for council tax and similar debts, £79 when the firm is instructed and £247 at the first visit; High Court fees are higher. Our guide to what bailiffs can and cannot do has the full table.
• Agents cannot force their way into your home for council tax, parking or ordinary court debts, and cannot take essentials, work tools together worth less than £1,350, or other people’s belongings.
• A judgment on a regulated consumer credit agreement can only be enforced in the County Court.

What should you do now?

1. Check whether your letter mentions a liability order, warrant, writ or court claim number.
2. Check the creditor, reference and amount, and contact the creditor directly if anything is wrong.
3. Offer a payment you can keep up before any notice period ends, and get it in writing.
4. If you are vulnerable, tell APD. It says it has a welfare team and can give you time to get independent advice.
5. Get free, impartial advice from MoneyHelper, StepChange, Citizens Advice or National Debtline. See where to get free debt advice, and debt solutions compared if you have other debts.

How do you complain about APD?

1. Complain to APD first, in writing or by phone. Its policy says it will acknowledge a complaint within 2 working days, then review it at front-line and management level.
2. APD names the ECB or the county court as the external step. Complain to the ECB within 3 months of becoming aware of the problem, or within 1 month of the firm’s final response.
3. Complain to the creditor as well. If it is a council, you can then go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, or in Wales the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
4. For serious misconduct by a certificated agent, you can complain to the court on form EAC2.

Is the letter genuine?

APD warns about fraudsters posing as enforcement officers who ask people to transfer money or give bank details over the phone, and says to contact the enforcement company directly instead. Use the contact details on your own paperwork or the creditor’s website, and check certificated agents on the official register. Our guide to dealing with debt collectors covers your wider rights.