If you’ve received court papers or a letter saying a creditor plans to take you to court, we understand that you may feel worried. A county court judgment (CCJ) is a civil court order that says you owe money and sets out how and when it must be repaid. It isn’t a criminal matter, but it is formal and time‑sensitive. Acting promptly can save you having to pay extra fees, sometimes protect your credit rating, and keep you in control of the next steps.
What is a CCJ?
A CCJ is a decision known as a ‘judgment’ made by the County Court in England and Wales that you owe money to a creditor. The judgment can say that you must pay the full balance straightaway (forthwith) or in instalments that the court considers affordable for you. Once made, the CCJ can be enforced if you don’t keep to its terms, so it’s vital to respond to court paperwork on time and with accurate information.
Before court action: the Pre‑Action Protocol
Before most consumer court claims, creditors should follow the Pre‑Action Protocol for Debt Claims. They must send a Letter of Claim with details of the debt and a reply form; you usually have 30 days to respond. If you ask for documents, say you’re taking advice, or make a realistic proposal, they should pause before issuing a claim. This stage exists to encourage early resolution and can help you avoid court, see our Pre‑Action Protocol guide for what to expect and how to reply.
How do you get a CCJ? Overview of the process
If you cannot come to an agreement about repaying a debt with your creditor, they can issue a county court claim. If a claim is issued, you will receive a claim form and a response pack that explains how much is being claimed and how to reply. Deadlines are strict. If you do not respond within the timeframe on the papers, which is normally 14 days from service, the creditor can ask the court to enter judgment in default. Replying on time keeps more options open, including paying in full, asking for time to pay, admitting part of the claim, or defending it if you dispute liability.
If you disagree with the claim made and need more time to prepare your response, you can usually acknowledge service to extend your deadline to file a defence. Do not leave this to the last minute; missing a deadline can limit your options. For step‑by‑step help, see Replying to a county court claim guide.
Depending on your response, the court can enter judgment by admission if you accept the debt and ask for time to pay, enter judgment in default if you do not respond, or list a hearing if you defend the claim. Read more in our guide to defending a CCJ if you are thinking about doing this.
If the court decides that you owe the money claimed, they will make a judgment which means you will have a CCJ.
CCJ check – your credit file and the public register
A CCJ is recorded on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines. This is a public record, so the information can be accessed by others, including credit reference agencies. A CCJ stays on the register and your credit files for six years. If you pay the full amount within one month of the judgment date, you can ask for the entry to be removed. If you pay after one month, it can be marked as satisfied but will remain for the full six years. You can check the public register via TrustOnline and read our guide to Credit reference agencies.
If you want formal proof you have repaid the debt, you can apply to the court for a certificate of cancellation (if you paid within one month) or satisfaction (if you paid after one month). You can check for any judgments recorded against you through the public register (TrustOnline) for a small fee.
Didn’t receive the papers? Asking the court to set aside a CCJ
If you only found out about a judgment after it was made, perhaps because the papers went to an old address, you may be able to apply to set aside the judgment. This asks the court to cancel the CCJ and reopen the case so you can properly respond. It usually involves a fee and may require a hearing. If you agree you owe the money, it may not be in your best interests to ask the court to set aside the CCJ. See our Setting aside a CCJ guide for more information about and how to apply.
If you can’t afford to pay in full
If the total amount you owe on the CCJ is more than you can afford to pay in full, when you receive a claim form, you can admit the debt and ask to pay by instalments. Complete the admission form with your income and expenditure details so the court can set an affordable payment plan. Paying an amount you can maintain is better than over‑promising and falling behind. Read our Replying to a county court claim guide for information on reducing payments on a CCJ.
If a judgment has already been made and the payment terms are too high, you can apply to vary the CCJ. This means asking the court to change the order so you pay in affordable instalments. You’ll need to provide a detailed budget and there may be a small court fee. Read our Varying a CCJ guide for more information.
If you have several debts or your situation is complex, consider longer‑term solutions for dealing with them. Read our Ways to clear your debt guide for more information on your potential options. Free, impartial advice can help you choose the right approach.
What happens if you ignore a CCJ?
If you do not pay what the court has told you to, the creditor can ask the court to enforce the judgment. This can include using bailiffs (also known as enforcement agents) taking control of goods, an attachment of earnings order to deduct from your wages, or a charging order that secures the debt against your home if you own it. Engaging early usually reduces costs and keeps more options open for you.
How to check if you have a CCJ
If you suspect that a CCJ has been made against you, check your credit report with Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. Read our guide to Credit reference agencies for information on how to get a free copy of your statutory credit report. This will confirm whether a CCJ exists and whether it is shown as paid.
Common questions
What does CCJ stand for?
CCJ stands for County Court Judgment. It’s a type of court order in England and Wales that can be issued against you if you fail to repay money you owe.
Will a CCJ stop me getting credit?
A CCJ can make borrowing harder or more expensive while it is recorded on your credit files. Paying within one month removes the entry from the public register; paying later marks it as satisfied, which some lenders view more positively than leaving it unpaid.
Does a CCJ ever expire?
The entry drops off your credit file after six years. The debt itself may still be enforceable after that, although the creditor would usually need the court’s permission to take certain steps once six years have passed. You can read our guide to Credit reference agencies for information on how to get a free copy of your statutory credit report. This will show whether there is a CCJ showing on your credit file.
What if I’m not sure I owe the debt, or the amount seems wrong?
You may be able to defend the claim or admit only part of it. Gather evidence such as agreements and statements, and seek advice quickly, as deadlines are short. Read more in our guide to defending a CCJ.
Your next steps
If you have a Letter of Claim, respond within 30 days, request any documents you need, and make an affordable offer if the debt is correct. If you have not been in touch with the creditor or made a payment for several years, speak to us first to see if the creditor has run out of time to make a claim. Depending on the response you make, replying to a Letter of Claim could give the creditor more time to take action against you.
If you have a claim form, reply by the deadline. You can either admit the claim and make a payment offer, pay in full if you can afford it, or choose to defend the claim if you disagree that you owe the money. You can reply on the Acknowledgment of Service form if you need to extend the deadline for filing a defence. Make sure you have legal grounds for defending the claim, you may need a solicitor’s help to check this.
If you already have a CCJ, keep to payments if they are affordable or apply to vary them. If you never received the papers, consider a set aside. If you’re unsure where to start, contact us for free, confidential advice so you can make a clear plan. For step‑by‑step help, see Replying to a county court claim guide.
