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Formal/ legal term for "enforcer"

English Language & Usage Asked by dutyanalysing on December 22, 2020

What is a more formal way to refer to someone acting as an “enforcer”?

A landlord has a tenant who acts as his unofficial “enforcer” towards other tenants (and often times for no good reason). He usually goes with the guise that he is doing something or delivering a message on behalf of the landlord and uses intimidation and threats to get his way. No actual violence takes place, though he does do things like change locks on people.

What would be a formal term for a person in such a position? Something on the level of formality that would be expected in a court of law?

This is for Canadian English.

One Answer

As an unofficial position, in the UK, the person would be described as "the landlord's agent" if he receives some sort of reward for his action (e.g. money or a reduced rent, etc.) or, if he did not, it would be phrased "Mr Smith was acting as the landlord's agent" - hence he is an agent - but the term needs a description.

The official occupation is "bailiff" of which there are several types (See below), Bailiffs are not employed by the landlord - they work for a central organisation of some sort.

From the UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/your-rights-bailiffs

A bailiff (‘enforcement agent’) may visit your home if you do not pay your debts - such as Council Tax bills, parking fines, court fines and county court or family court judgments. […]

A bailiff may also visit your home for other reasons, for example to serve court documents or give notices and summons. There are different kinds of bailiffs, known as: ‘certificated enforcement agents’ ‘high court enforcement officers’, ‘county court and family court bailiffs’ and ‘civilian enforcement officers’,

Note that the term "bailiff" applies only in England and Wales. In Scotland, there are other official titles and there will be other titles in the jurisdictions of other countries and regions.

You should be specific as to which country you are referring.

Correct answer by Greybeard on December 22, 2020

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