Sheriffs and bailiffs
Career Overview
Sheriffs execute and enforce court orders, warrants and writs, participate in the seizure and sale of property and perform other related courtroom duties. Bailiffs serve legal orders and documents, seize or repossess properties, evict tenants and perform other related activities.
Sheriffs work for provincial or territorial courts and bailiffs may work as officers of the court, in private service as agents for creditors or as independent contractors.
People in this occupation:
- May work in tense environments and must be able to make quick decisions and tolerate stress
- Must be able to communicate clearly and exercise good judgment
- Must have the ability to control hostile and dangerous behaviour
Duties
Sheriffs and bailiffs may perform some or all of the following duties:
- Serve statements of claims, summonses, warrants, jury summonses, orders to pay alimony and other court orders
- Serve writs of execution by seizing and selling property and distributing the proceeds according to court decisions
- Find property and make seizures and removals under various acts of Parliament
- Provide security for courthouse, courtroom and holding cells
- Escort prisoners to and from courts and correctional facilities
- Prepare comprehensive reports and affidavits and maintain records
- Attend court, escort witnesses and assist in maintaining order
- Provide security support for sequestered juries
- Provide services to the Coroner's Court
- Issue warrants for imprisonment, arrest or apprehension
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
695% Employed Full Time
80%Sheriffs and bailiffs typically work 35–40 hours per week. Some may be required to work on call, do shift work, or work evenings and weekends.
Sheriffs work both indoors and outdoors, and much of their time is spent either in buildings or in vehicles. They typically have to travel, sometimes out of province, to escort the accused and convicted and to carry out court orders.
Sheriffs work under various statutes including the Criminal Code of Canada and the Sheriff Act. Court bailiffs are sworn in under the Sheriff Act and work under this statute.
Sheriffs and bailiffs may have to face tense interpersonal situations when carrying out court orders, transporting and supervising the accused and convicted, or maintaining order in courtrooms. Sheriffs are equipped with enforcement tools and may have to use necessary force to protect people from harm and maintain safety.
Career Pathways
Sheriffs and bailiffs typically begin work in entry-level positions such as field trainee. Experience as a deputy sheriff or bailiff, or in custodial, escort or security work is required prior to becoming a sheriff. Sheriffs may advance into a position with the British Columbia Sheriff's Service Executive.
With experience, sheriffs and bailiffs may manage their own bailiff service company. They may also further their education and move into other areas of law enforcement, such as police work.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
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For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
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Job Titles
Education, Training and Skills
Completion of secondary school is required to work in both of these occupations. Sheriffs and bailiffs:
- Must also undergo basic legal training to become familiar with the laws and statutes that are important to their profession
- May need a college diploma in legal studies
Deputy Sheriffs must complete a training program offered by the Justice Institute of British Columbia prior to working for provincial courts. New deputies must undergo a probationary period prior to being hired on a full-time basis in the provincial courts.
The British Columbia Bailiffs' Association and the Justice Institute of British Columbia have also developed a training program for new bailiffs. Bailiffs with experience can obtain credit for this course by passing a challenge exam.
Sheriffs and bailiffs also:
- Must have clean criminal records
- Must hold a Class Four driver's licence with fewer than nine points
- Are required to maintain a particular level of physical fitness
- Must have Level 1 First Aid certification
- May also consider completing anger management programs, workplace violence management programs or related courses to manage stressful workplaces
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Law
- Legal Assistant Related
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Convincing others to change their mind or behaviour.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
695Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 0 | 0.0% |
| Kootenay | 20 | 2.9% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 480 | 68.6% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 0 | 0.0% |
| Northeast | 25 | 3.6% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 50 | 7.1% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 105 | 15.0% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)
200Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
| Kootenay | Not available | Not available |
| Mainland/Southwest | 120 | 0.8% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 20 | 1.1% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 60 | 1.0% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2023-2033) |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | 170 |
| Professional, Scientific And Technical Services | 20 |
| Business, Building And Other Support Services | 10 |
Insights from Industry
This is a very small occupational group and few new openings are expected in the coming years. The majority of the openings that arise will be due to retirements.
Industry sources also report that there are limited opportunities for court bailiffs. Workers are only appointed as court bailiffs if they work for contractors who have contracts with the Ministry of Attorney General to provide bailiff services. There are a limited number of these positions in the province, turnover is low and the work term is restricted to the length of the employer's contract with the Ministry of Attorney General.
Those who have completed the necessary educational requirements and have previous experience working as bailiffs or sheriffs or in law enforcement will have an advantage in finding work.
Resources
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B.C. Ministry of Attorney Generalwww.gov.bc.ca/ag
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Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authoritywww.bpcpa.ca
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Justice Institute of British Columbiawww.jibc.ca