Urgent debt problems · 5 min read
Got a County Court Judgment (CCJ)? What it means and what to do
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court order telling you to repay a debt. Dealing with it quickly can limit the damage to your credit file and stop further enforcement.
How you get a CCJ
Before a CCJ, a creditor must send a claim form. You then have 14 days to respond — admitting the debt, offering a payment plan or disputing it. If you don't respond, the creditor can ask the court for judgment by default.
The 30-day rule
If you pay the full amount within one calendar month of the judgment date, you can ask for the CCJ to be removed from the Register of Judgments and it won't appear on your credit file.
How long does a CCJ last?
A CCJ stays on your credit file for six years from the judgment date, even if you pay it off. If you pay it later, you can ask for it to be marked 'satisfied', which looks better to future lenders.
Can't afford the payments?
You can apply to the court to change the payment amount using form N245. If you fall behind, the creditor can take enforcement action, including bailiffs, an attachment of earnings order or a charging order on your home.
Never ignore a claim form
The most important step is to respond on time. If you have several debts, a wider solution may be needed. Our team can put you in touch with specialist support quickly.
Get urgent help with court debts →
This article is general information only and may not reflect your circumstances. Rules and limits can change, so always check the details with an authorised provider before making a decision.
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