Registered Keeper, ownership and the bailif

[streaky]

An old chum of mine confessed last night to being in serious financial trouble - the result of a divorce. He is worried that a bailiff will shortly arrive and seize his car in payment of a debt. He is salaried and commutes by train to work, so has no need of the car for work but does need it for thrice-weekly visits to his parents who are both infirm (he takes them shopping, to the doctor, etc.

He is the RK for the car, but it is owned by his brother ... to whom he pays a peppercorn rent. The car is taxed and insured by my friend, not by his brother.

The question is - can a bailiff seize the vehicle?

Many thanks - Streaky

[streaky]

I doubt that the insurance documents show the brother's ownership. I suspect that ownership was transferred recently as a device to protect the car from seizure.

Many thanks cooperman for the reply - Streaky

[streaky]

We spoke again last night. He has a Bill of Sale but no money trail - cash changed hands and went straight on "the housekeeping". I suspect that most if not all went to a bookie (I have found out things I knew not before). He said that had been to the CAB (I doubt it).

Shame, he's a nice guy and was a solid worker and family man. Now (if I am right) gambling has ruined his life ... but something else probably triggered it (there was a change of tone when we were talking that suggested something else, and he was exceptionally evasive when I tried to probe).

Anyway, thanks for all the replies.

Streaky