Immediate Action Required
Critical: Act Within Your Deadline
The type of court document you received determines your deadline and options. Missing deadlines severely limits your choices.
Identify Your Document
Emergency Contacts
- National Debtline: 0808 808 4000 (Free legal advice)
- Court helpline: 0300 123 1372 (CCBC for most CCJs)
- Citizens Advice: 0808 223 1133 (General support)
What is a County Court Judgment (CCJ)?
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court order that officially states you owe money to a creditor. It's registered publicly and significantly impacts your ability to get credit for six years.
How CCJs Happen
Debt Default
You miss payments and default on a credit agreement after notices.
Letter Before Action
Creditor sends final warning giving 30 days before court action.
Court Claim Issued
Claim form sent to your address. 14 days to respond begins.
Judgment by Default
If no response, CCJ issued automatically. Appears on credit file.
Enforcement
If unpaid, creditor can use bailiffs, attachment of earnings, or charging orders.
Types of CCJ
- Judgment by default: Issued when you don't respond to the claim
- Judgment by admission: When you admit owing the money
- Judgment in instalments: Court sets monthly payment amount
- Judgment forthwith: Full payment required immediately
- Judgment following trial: After a court hearing
Your Response Options
Your options depend on whether you've received a claim form or judgment:
If You Have a Claim Form (Pre-CCJ)
Best Outcome Possible
Acting before judgment means you can still avoid a CCJ entirely. This is your best opportunity to protect your credit file.
Option 1: Pay in Full
- Stops court action immediately
- No CCJ recorded
- Request "discontinuance" from creditor
- Get written confirmation
Option 2: Defend the Claim
- File defence within 14 days (28 with acknowledgment)
- Valid defences: Wrong amount, already paid, time-barred (6+ years)
- Court may order mediation or hearing
- Risk: Costs if you lose
Option 3: Admit and Offer Payment
- Complete admission form (N9A)
- Propose affordable monthly payments
- Include income/expenditure details
- Court decides if offer acceptable
If You Have a Judgment (Post-CCJ)
Option 1: Pay Within 30 Days
- CCJ removed from credit file entirely
- Must pay full amount including costs
- Get "Certificate of Cancellation" (£15 fee)
- No trace remains on credit records
Option 2: Apply to Set Aside
- For judgments you didn't know about
- Must have valid reason (didn't receive papers)
- File N244 application (£275 fee)
- Include witness statement and evidence
Option 3: Apply to Vary
- Change payment terms if circumstances changed
- Use form N244 (£14 fee)
- Provide updated income/expenditure
- Stops enforcement while pending
Option 4: Pay as Ordered
- Make payments on time
- Get "Certificate of Satisfaction" when paid (£15)
- CCJ marked "satisfied" but stays on file 6 years
- Better than unsatisfied for credit applications
Impact on Your Credit File
A CCJ severely impacts your creditworthiness for six years, making it difficult to:
- Get credit cards or loans
- Open bank accounts
- Get a mortgage
- Rent properties (credit checks)
- Get mobile phone contracts
- Access hire purchase
Credit Score Impact
| CCJ Status | Score Impact | Credit Access |
|---|---|---|
| No CCJ | No impact | Normal access |
| Paid within 30 days | No impact (removed) | Normal access |
| Satisfied CCJ | -250 points | Limited, high rates |
| Unsatisfied CCJ | -350 points | Very limited |
| Multiple CCJs | -400+ points | Specialist lenders only |
Timeline of Credit Recovery
- Years 0-2: Very difficult to get any mainstream credit
- Years 2-4: Some specialist lenders, very high rates
- Years 4-6: Gradual improvement if no new issues
- After 6 years: CCJ removed, credit access normalises
Tip
Even with a satisfied CCJ, you can rebuild credit using credit builder cards and ensuring all other payments are perfect. Each year that passes reduces the impact.
How to Set Aside a CCJ
Setting aside means cancelling the judgment as if it never existed. This completely removes it from your credit file.
Grounds for Setting Aside
You can apply to set aside if:
- You didn't receive the claim form (most common)
- You have a valid defence to the claim
- You'd already paid before judgment
- The creditor didn't follow proper procedures
- The debt is statute-barred (over 6 years old)
Set Aside Process
- Act quickly: Apply as soon as you discover the CCJ
- Complete N244: Application notice form
- Pay fee: £275 (can apply for help)
- Provide evidence:
- Witness statement explaining why
- Proof of different address if moved
- Defence to the original claim
- Evidence of prompt action
- Attend hearing: Judge decides based on evidence
What Happens at the Hearing
The judge considers:
- Whether you have a real prospect of defending the claim
- Why you didn't respond originally
- How quickly you applied after finding out
- Any prejudice to the creditor
Success Rate
Around 40% of set aside applications succeed. Strong evidence of non-receipt of papers and acting promptly significantly increase chances.
Paying the CCJ
How and when you pay determines the long-term impact:
Payment Methods
- Direct to creditor: Fastest, get receipt
- Through court: Safer, court tracks payments
- Standing order: For instalment plans
- Debit card: One-off payments
If You Can't Afford Payments
Don't ignore the CCJ. Instead:
- Apply to vary payment terms (N244 form, £14)
- Provide detailed income/expenditure
- Offer what you can genuinely afford
- Consider debt solutions (IVA, DRO, bankruptcy)
- Get free debt advice immediately
Certificate of Satisfaction
Once fully paid:
- Request certificate from court (£15 fee)
- Court notifies Registry Trust
- Credit files updated within 28 days
- Keep certificate as permanent proof
- CCJ marked "satisfied" but remains visible
Enforcement Action After CCJ
If you don't pay as ordered, creditors can apply for enforcement:
Types of Enforcement
Stopping Enforcement
You can apply to suspend enforcement by:
- Filing N244 to suspend warrant (£14)
- Proposing realistic payment plan
- Showing change in circumstances
- Proving vulnerability (illness, disability)
Getting a CCJ Removed
Three ways to remove a CCJ from your credit file:
1. Pay Within 30 Days
- Complete removal from all records
- Must include all costs and interest
- Apply for Certificate of Cancellation
- No impact on future credit
2. Successful Set Aside
- Judgment cancelled entirely
- Removed from Register and credit files
- As if CCJ never existed
- Must win set aside hearing
3. Wait 6 Years
- Automatic removal after 6 years
- Even if never paid (remains legally owed)
- Cannot be re-registered
- Creditor can still pursue debt
Important
After 30 days, paying in full only gets "satisfied" status, not removal. The CCJ remains visible for the full 6 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I ignore a CCJ?
Ignoring a CCJ leads to serious consequences: bailiffs can be instructed, your wages or bank account can be seized, a charging order can be placed on your home, and the CCJ stays on your credit file for 6 years, making credit nearly impossible to obtain.
Can I get a CCJ removed from my credit file?
Yes, in three ways: Pay in full within 30 days for immediate removal, successfully set it aside if you didn't receive court papers, or wait 6 years for automatic removal. After 30 days, even full payment only marks it as 'satisfied', not removed.
How long do I have to respond to a CCJ claim form?
You have 14 days from receiving the claim form to respond (or 28 days if acknowledging service). Missing this deadline means judgment by default. If you need more time, file an acknowledgment of service immediately for an extra 14 days.
Can I set aside a CCJ if I didn't know about it?
Yes, you can apply to set aside a CCJ if you didn't receive the claim form, have a valid defence, or there were procedural errors. Apply using form N244 with a £275 fee. You must act promptly once you discover the CCJ.
Will a satisfied CCJ affect my credit score?
Yes, even a satisfied CCJ significantly impacts your credit score for 6 years. While better than unsatisfied, it still shows you failed to pay a debt on time. Most mainstream lenders will decline applications with recent CCJs.
Can bailiffs come if I have a CCJ?
Not immediately. The creditor must first apply for enforcement (warrant of control) which costs them £85. You'll receive notice before bailiff action. If you're paying as agreed, bailiffs cannot be instructed. Contact the court immediately if threatened with bailiffs despite paying.