If you’ve received court papers, or you’ve already got a CCJ, this guide explains exactly what it means and what you need to do.

What Is a County Court Judgement (CCJ)?

A CCJ is a court order saying you owe money and must pay it.

It’s what happens when:

1. You owe money to someone (a creditor)
2. They’ve tried to get you to pay
3. You haven’t paid
4. They apply to the court
5. The court orders you to pay

It’s serious. It’s a legal court order.

When Can Creditors Apply for a CCJ?

Creditors can apply for a CCJ if:

• You owe them money
• You’ve broken a credit agreement (missed payments)
• They’ve given you reasonable chance to pay
• You haven’t paid or arranged to pay

They must have tried to resolve it first.

Usually this means:

• Several missed payments
• Chasing letters/emails
• “Notice of Default” or “Default Notice”
• Final demands

If they jump straight to court without warning, you can defend it.

How Do You Know If Someone’s Applied for a CCJ?

You’ll receive court papers by post.

Look for:

• “Claim Form” (Form N1 or N1(CC))
• “Particulars of Claim” (details of what you allegedly owe)
• “Response Pack” (forms to respond)

It will come from:

• County Court Business Centre
• Northampton County Court
• Your local county court

Do NOT ignore this. You have 14-19 days to respond.

What the Court Papers Say

The claim form tells you:

• Who’s claiming (the claimant)
• How much they say you owe
• Why they say you owe it
• Deadline to respond (usually 14 days, or 19 if posted to you)
• What happens if you don’t respond

Read it carefully. Check if the debt is actually yours.

What to Do When You Receive Court Papers

Step 1: Don’t Ignore It

This is the biggest mistake people make.

If you ignore it:

• The CCJ is granted automatically
• You get no say
• It goes on your credit file for 6 years
• The creditor can enforce it (bailiffs, etc.)

You MUST respond, even if you think the debt isn’t yours.

Step 2: Check If the Debt Is Real

Ask yourself:

• Is this debt actually mine?
• Is the amount correct?
• Have I already paid it?
• Is it older than 6 years? (might be “statute-barred”)
• Did they follow the right process?

If the debt isn’t yours or is wrong, you can defend it.

Step 3: Decide How to Respond

You have four options:

Option 1: Admit the claim and offer to pay You agree you owe it and want to pay.

Option 2: Admit the claim but can’t pay now You agree you owe it but can’t afford full payment. Offer instalments.

Option 3: Dispute the full amount You don’t think you owe anything.

Option 4: Dispute part of the amount You agree you owe something, but not the full amount claimed.

Step 4: Fill in the Response Form

Use the forms in the Response Pack:

Form N9A (Admission Form) If you admit you owe the money.

Form N9B (Defence Form) If you’re disputing all or part of it.

Include:

• Your income and expenses
• What you can afford to pay
• Reasons for disputing (if applicable)

Post it to the address on the form BEFORE the deadline.

Step 5: Send Evidence (If Disputing)

If you’re disputing the claim, send evidence:

• Proof of payment
• Contract showing different terms
• Letters showing you tried to resolve it
• Evidence the debt is statute-barred

Keep copies of everything you send.

What Happens Next

If You Admit and Can Pay in Full

• Court orders you to pay
• CCJ is registered
• If you pay within 1 month, it’s removed from the Register of Judgments
• If you pay after 1 month, it stays on your credit file but is marked “satisfied”

If You Admit and Offer Instalments

• Court considers your offer
• Creditor can accept or reject
• Court decides what’s reasonable based on your income/expenses
• CCJ is granted with payment terms

If You Dispute

• Case might go to a hearing
• You and the creditor present evidence
• Judge decides
• If you win, no CCJ
• If you lose, CCJ is granted

If You Do Nothing

• CCJ is granted automatically (called “Judgment in Default”)
• You don’t get a say in payment terms
• Goes on your credit file
• Creditor can enforce it immediately

How a CCJ Affects You

Your Credit Score

A CCJ destroys your credit score. It stays on your credit file for 6 years from the date of judgment. Even if you pay it off, it still shows (but marked as “satisfied”).

Getting Credit

With a CCJ, you’ll struggle to get:

• Mortgages (most lenders reject automatically)
• Loans
• Credit cards
• Car finance
• Phone contracts
• Bank accounts

Some specialist lenders work with people with CCJs, but rates are much higher.

Renting

Many landlords do credit checks.

A CCJ can make it harder to rent, especially from letting agents.

Jobs

Some jobs do credit checks (banking, finance, government roles).

A CCJ might affect your application.

Business

If you want to start a business, CCJs can affect:

• Business bank accounts
• Business loans
• Trade credit

Current Accounts

Most banks refuse current accounts if you have recent CCJs.

You might need a “basic bank account” instead.

How to Get a CCJ Removed

Option 1: Pay Within 1 Month (Complete Removal)

If you pay the full amount within 1 calendar month of the judgment date:

• The CCJ is removed from the Register of Judgments
• It won’t show on credit files
• It’s like it never happened

This is the ONLY way to get it completely removed.

Steps:

1. Pay the creditor in full
2. Get proof of payment
3. Apply to court for “Certificate of Cancellation” (form N443)
4. Send proof of payment and £15 fee
5. Court removes the CCJ

The 1-month deadline is strict. Miss it and you’re stuck with the CCJ for 6 years.

Option 2: Get It “Set Aside”

If the CCJ was unfair, you can apply to “set it aside” (cancel it).

Reasons for setting aside:

• You never received the court papers
• You have a good defence but didn’t respond in time
• The claim was wrong
• The creditor didn’t follow the rules

You must apply quickly and have good reasons.

Steps:

1. Fill in form N244 (application to vary or set aside)
2. Explain why it should be set aside
3. Pay £255 fee (or apply for fee exemption)
4. Attend court hearing
5. If successful, CCJ is cancelled

Option 3: Pay After 1 Month (Marked as “Satisfied”)

If you pay after 1 month:

• CCJ stays on your file for 6 years
• But it’s marked as “satisfied”
• Shows you paid it

Steps:

1. Pay the creditor
2. Get proof of payment
3. Apply to court for “Certificate of Satisfaction” (form N443)
4. Send proof and £15 fee
5. CCJ is updated to show “satisfied”

This is better than an unpaid CCJ, but still damages your credit.

Option 4: Pay in Instalments

If the court ordered instalments:

• Stick to the payment plan
• Once fully paid, apply for Certificate of Satisfaction

Missing instalments can lead to enforcement action.

What If You Still Can’t Pay?

If you genuinely can’t afford to pay the CCJ, even in instalments:

Get Free Debt Advice

Contact:

• StepChange (0800 138 1111)
• National Debtline (0808 808 4000)
• Citizens Advice

They can:

• Help you apply to vary the judgment (change payment terms)
• Advise on debt solutions (DMP, IVA, DRO)
• Negotiate with the creditor

Apply to Vary the Judgment

If your circumstances have changed since the CCJ:

• You can apply to reduce instalments
• Fill in form N245
• Show your current income/expenses
• Court decides new payment terms

Consider Debt Solutions

If you have multiple debts including a CCJ:

• Debt Management Plan: Affordable payments across all debts
• IVA: Write off some debt, pay what you can for 5 years
• DRO: Write off debts under £30k if you qualify
• Bankruptcy: Fresh start if situation is hopeless

What Happens If You Ignore a CCJ?

If you don’t pay the CCJ (and don’t arrange payment):

Enforcement Action

The creditor can apply for:

1. Warrant of Control (Bailiffs)

• Bailiffs come to your home
• Can take your belongings to sell
• You have to pay bailiff fees on top

2. Attachment of Earnings

• Money taken directly from your wages
• Your employer is told about the debt
• Usually 5-10% of take-home pay

3. Third Party Debt Order

• Money taken from your bank account
• Your account can be frozen

4. Charging Order

• Debt secured against your property
• If you sell, they get paid from the proceeds
• Can lead to “Order for Sale” (forced sale of your home)

5. Insolvency Proceedings

• Bankruptcy or winding-up petition
• Last resort for large debts

More Court Action

Ignoring a CCJ can lead to:

• More court hearings
• More fees and costs
• More stress

Prison?

You cannot go to prison for not paying a CCJ.

County court debts are civil, not criminal.

Exception: You can be imprisoned for contempt of court if you:

• Deliberately refuse to provide information when ordered
• Lie to the court
• Breach court orders maliciously

But this is rare and only for deliberate contempt, not just being unable to pay.

Can You Dispute a CCJ After It’s Granted?

Yes, but it’s harder.

You need to apply to “set aside” the judgment.

You must show:

• You have a valid defence
• You have a good reason for not responding in time
• You acted quickly when you found out

Common reasons:

• Never received the court papers
• Papers sent to wrong address
• You were seriously ill
• You were abroad

Apply using form N244.

The court will decide if your reasons are good enough.

How to Prevent Getting a CCJ

Pay Your Debts (Or Arrange to Pay)

The best way to avoid a CCJ is to pay what you owe before it gets to court.

If you can’t pay:

• Contact the creditor immediately
• Negotiate reduced payments
• Get help from StepChange

[Link to your negotiating with creditors post]

Respond to Letters

Don’t ignore chasing letters, defaults, or final demands.

These are warnings that court action is coming.

Check Your Address

Make sure creditors have your current address.

If court papers are sent to an old address, you won’t know about them until it’s too late.

Check the Register of Judgments

Check if you have any CCJs you don’t know about:

Register of Judgments

• Website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/registry-trust
• Costs £8 to check
• Shows any CCJs, High Court Judgments, or fines against you

If you find a CCJ you didn’t know about, apply to set it aside immediately.

Common CCJ Myths

Myth 1: “CCJs are only for big debts”

False. CCJs can be granted for any amount. I’ve seen CCJs for £50.

Myth 2: “Paying it removes it from your credit file”

False. Paying it marks it as “satisfied” but it stays on your file for 6 years (unless paid within 1 month).

Myth 3: “You can ignore it if you don’t have the money”

False. Ignoring it leads to enforcement and makes things worse.

Myth 4: “CCJs expire after 6 years so you don’t have to pay”

False. The debt still exists after 6 years. Only the credit file entry disappears. They can still chase you or enforce it.

Myth 5: “You’ll go to prison if you don’t pay”

False. You cannot be imprisoned for civil debts like CCJs (except in rare contempt cases).

How to Check If You Have a CCJ

Check Your Credit Report

Free from:

• ClearScore
• Experian
• Credit Karma
• Equifax

CCJs appear in the “Public Records” section.

Check the Register of Judgments

• www.gov.uk/government/organisations/registry-trust
• £8 for a search
• Shows CCJs, High Court Judgments, fines

Check Court Records

If you think you might have a CCJ but it’s not showing up:

• Contact the County Court Business Centre
• Provide your details
• They can confirm if there’s a judgment

Final Thoughts

A CCJ is serious, but it’s not the end of the world.

If you receive court papers:

1. Don’t ignore them
2. Respond within the deadline
3. Be honest about what you can afford
4. Get free help if needed

If you already have a CCJ:

1. Pay within 1 month if possible (complete removal)
2. Pay after 1 month (marked satisfied)
3. Get help if you can’t pay
4. Don’t ignore enforcement action

Key points:

• CCJs stay on your credit file for 6 years
• Only way to remove completely: pay within 1 month
• Ignoring a CCJ makes things worse
• Free help is available

Act quickly and you can minimise the damage.

Get Free Help:

• StepChange: 0800 138 1111 / www.stepchange.org
• National Debtline: 0808 808 4000 / www.nationaldebtline.org
• Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
• MoneyHelper: 0800 138 7777 / www.moneyhelper.org.uk

Check for CCJs:

• Register of Judgments: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/registry-trust
• Free credit reports: ClearScore, Experian, Credit Karma

Last updated: November 2025