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Messengers-at-Arms & Sheriff Officers, Edinburgh

Thomas Hannah — judicial officers in Scotland

Thomas Hannah is a firm of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Serving all six Scottish Sheriffdoms, we provide legal support services to clients throughout Scotland, the UK and Europe.

  • A Messenger-at-Arms is an officer of the Court of Session, which is the supreme civil court in Scotland. A Messenger-at-Arms can travel anywhere in Scotland and can serve documents and enforce orders of the supreme court.
  • A Sheriff Officer is an officer of the regional civil court. Scotland is divided geographically into six Sheriffdoms and 49 local Sheriff Court districts. Unlike a Messenger-at-Arms, a Sheriff Officer can only operate in the geographical area for which he holds a commission.

Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers have a key role in the administration of justice in Scotland. In particular, they carry out diligence; that is, the method of enforcing the repayment of debts through legal processes. Diligence includes arrestment, attachment and inhibition. Introduction of the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 modernises and improves the law relating to diligence and enforcement methods, striking a fair balance between the differing needs of creditors and debtors.

Diligence solutions

Established over half a century ago, the firm of Thomas Hannah provides a personal, one-to-one service to valued clients. We carry out instructions speedily and with a level of professionalism reflected in our 3Q quality philosophy:

  1. Quality of reports: Timely, effective and informative reports giving all available, relevant details.
  2. Quickness of response: Speed of service that our clients expect and deserve, with prompt notification should unexpected delays arise.
  3. Qualifications of management: Direction by experienced and fully qualified Sheriff Officers and Messengers-at-Arms who continue to develop their knowledge and skills, and who are members of The Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers (affiliated to the Union internationale des huissiers de justice).

Please contact us for more information or to issue instructions.

Legal support services

Our legal support services include:

  • Service of citation plus enforcement of Court decrees throughout Scotland.
  • Service throughout Scotland of English and foreign process and judgments.
  • Service of Scottish actions in other parts of the United Kingdom and Europe.
  • Registration plus enforcement in Scotland of English and foreign judgments.
  • Repossession of heritable property including repair and maintenance service.
  • Service of notices for landlords, property factors and Housing Associations.
  • Repossession of motor vehicles, plant and machinery and other equipment.
  • Tracing, enquiry and investigation service throughout the United Kingdom.
  • Volume debt recovery including telephone and doorstep collection service.
  • Pre-litigation status reports, property title, and Company/Director searches.

Data protection

Thomas Hannah is registered under the UK Data Protection Act 1998 with the Information Commissioner’s Office. Registration number: Z5538304.

Status

This page was last updated on Monday, June 22, 2009. Our web site will be expanded to provide more comprehensive details of our services in due course.

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