Bryan Lecoche: what a letter means and what to do

Most of Bryan Lecoche’s work is for landlords and businesses rather than councils, so a letter or visit usually relates to a High Court writ, a possession order, commercial rent or court papers being delivered. Each gives the firm different powers. This guide covers England and Wales.

Who are Bryan Lecoche?

The firm is registered at Companies House as BRYAN LECOCHE LIMITED, company number 08164787. It is an active private limited company, incorporated on 1 August 2012, with its registered office in St Neots. Two members of the Lecoche family each hold more than 25% of the shares.

Its website says Bryan Lecoche, a former Bedfordshire Police officer, set up the company in 2012 after 34 years at another Bedford enforcement firm, Constant & Co, and that his son joined as a director and co-owner in 2018.

Bryan Lecoche Limited has been accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) since October 2023, and is a corporate member of CIVEA, the Civil Enforcement Association. Neither is a statutory regulator. On 28 August 2026 the government announced plans to make ECB oversight compulsory for private bailiffs, but that was not yet in force in September 2026.

Why might Bryan Lecoche be contacting you?

The firm’s enforcement page lists:

• High Court writs of control and possession, which it says it carries out in conjunction with High Court Enforcement Group. A writ of control usually means a County Court Judgment of £600 or more has been transferred to the High Court for enforcement. See what High Court enforcement officers can do.
• Commercial rent arrears recovery (CRAR) and peaceful repossession or forfeiture of commercial leases. CRAR only applies to commercial premises, not a home. If you run a business, see business and self-employed debt.
• Evictions of travellers, trespassers, rough sleepers and squatters, and direct action under planning law for councils.

The firm also offers tracing, investigations and document service. If someone from the firm hands you court papers, they are delivering them for someone else, not enforcing a debt. Read them straight away, because court deadlines run from service.

What can Bryan Lecoche do, and what can it not do?

The firm’s agents follow the same law as every bailiff in England and Wales. In short:

• 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.
• High Court fees are fixed by law: £79 at the compliance stage, then £200 plus 7.5% of the debt above £1,200 for a first visit, with further fees for a second visit and sale, all set out in our guide to what bailiffs can and cannot do.
• They cannot force their way into your home to take goods for an ordinary court debt, and cannot enter between 9pm and 6am or if only children under 16 or vulnerable people are there.
• They cannot take essentials, work tools together worth less than £1,350, or anyone else’s belongings.
• A judgment on a regulated consumer credit agreement can only be enforced in the County Court, so it cannot be passed to a High Court enforcement officer.

A writ of possession is different: it lets High Court enforcement officers remove people from a property after a court has ordered possession. The warrant of control guide explains how writs and warrants differ.

What should you do now?

1. Work out what you have: a notice of enforcement under a writ of control, a notice about commercial rent, an eviction notice, or court papers.
2. Check the court, claim number, creditor and amount. If you never knew about the court claim, or the debt is not yours, see how to remove or set aside a CCJ.
3. Contact the firm and the creditor before the notice period ends, using the details on your paperwork, and offer what you can realistically afford. Get any agreement in writing.
4. If you cannot pay a High Court writ, you can ask the High Court to pause it. The HCEO guide explains how.
5. Get free, impartial advice from MoneyHelper, StepChange, Citizens Advice or National Debtline. An adviser can ask for the longer 28-day notice period. See where to get free debt advice, and debt solutions compared if you have other debts too.

How do you complain about Bryan Lecoche?

1. Complain to the firm first. Its policy says it will acknowledge a complaint within 48 hours and aims to resolve it within 21 days, with a review by a director (written update within 14 days) if you are not satisfied. It will not usually investigate complaints made more than six months after the event.
2. Complain to the creditor, landlord or council that instructed the firm. If a council is involved, you can then go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
3. Because the firm is ECB accredited, you can complain to the ECB within 3 months of becoming aware of the problem, or within 1 month of the firm’s final response.
4. For High Court work you can also use the High Court Enforcement Officers Association’s complaint form, and for serious misconduct by a certificated agent you can complain to the court on form EAC2.

Is the letter genuine?

Contact the firm using the details on your court papers or the creditor’s official website, not a number from an unexpected call or text. Ask any agent at the door for identification, check certificated agents on the official register, and never pay into a bank account you cannot verify. Our guide to dealing with debt collectors covers your rights when there is no court order at all.