Rule 144 Execution of distress warrant by the Royal Ulster Constabulary

Sums adjudged to be paid by a conviction or order of a magistrates’ court and levied under a warrant of distress addressed to a superintendent of the Royal Ulster Constabulary shall be paid over to the clerk of petty sessions.

A warrant of distress shall authorise the person charged with its execution to take any money as well as the goods of the person against whom distress is to be levied and any money so taken shall be treated as if it were the proceeds of sale of goods taken under the warrant.

Upon payment or tender of the sum to be levied and any expenses already incurred in connection with the distress to the person charged with executing the warrant, that person shall refrain from executing it.

The person charged with the execution of a warrant of distress may sell the property distrained after the expiration of the period specified in the warrant, or if no period is fixed, after three days from the date of the distress, unless the sum for recovery of which the warrant was issued and the expenses of the distress are paid within that period.

Where property is sold under a distress warrant, the person executing the warrant shall render to the owner of the property the balance of the proceeds of sale, if any, after retaining the sum to be levied and the expenses of the distress.

A superintendent of the Royal Ulster Constabulary emposered to distrain goods under a warrant of distress may sell or cause such goods to be sold by public auction or in such other manner as the person against whom the distress is levied may in writing allow and may deduct the costs of such sale from the proceeds of sale.