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A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a legal court order in the UK that requires you to repay money you owe to a creditor, business, or individual. If you don’t keep up with your repayments, a CCJ can seriously impact your credit score, ability to borrow, and chances of getting a mortgage. Understanding how CCJs work, what your rights are, and how to deal with one quickly is important if you want to avoid further action such as bailiffs or additional fees.
What is a CCJ?
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a type of court order issued in England, Wales, or Northern
Ireland when you fail to repay money owed to a person or business. It is a legal ruling from the
court requiring you to repay your debt, either in full or through an agreed repayment plan.
How does a CCJ affect you?
Having a CCJ can seriously impact your credit rating and make every day financial decisions
more difficult. A CCJ recorded on your credit file can:
- Make it harder to get approved for loans, mortgages, or credit cards.
- Affect your ability to take out a mobile phone contract or finance agreement.
- Lead landlords to reject rental applications.
A CCJ usually stays on your credit record for 6 years, even if you pay it off, although clearing it
quickly may lessen the long-term impact.
Possible enforcement of a CCJ
If you don’t pay the debt after a CCJ has been issued, the court may allow creditors to enforce
payment. This could include:
- An Attachment of Earnings Order – where money is taken directly from your wages to
repay the debt.
- Bailiff action – creditors may instruct enforcement agents to recover goods to cover the
debt.
- A Charging Order – which can secure the debt against your property if you are a
homeowner.
Why it’s important to act quickly
Ignoring a CCJ can make your financial situation worse. If you act promptly, you may be able to:
- Pay the CCJ within 30 days to have it removed from your credit record.
- Apply to set aside the CCJ if you believe it was issued in error.
- Seek advice on debt solutions, such as a Debt Management Plan (DMP), Individual
Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), or bankruptcy, depending on your circumstances.
Before a County Court Judgment (CCJ) is issued, your creditor must give you the opportunity to
settle your debt without the court getting involved. This usually happens through a CCJ claim
form letter, sometimes referred to as a “letter before action.”
This letter should clearly explain:
- How much you owe (and how the amount has been calculated).
- How you can pay the debt, either in full or through instalments.
- How to contact the creditor to discuss or dispute the debt.
- Where you can find debt advice if you need extra support.
Why you must not ignore a CCJ claim form
It’s important to respond to the letter quickly, even if you believe you don’t owe the money or
you have already made payment. Ignoring a CCJ claim form could result in the court
automatically issuing a judgment against you, which can damage your credit rating and lead to
enforcement action.
If you disagree with the debt, you have the right to:
- Dispute the claim if you believe it is incorrect.
- Provide evidence if you’ve already repaid the debt.
- Seek professional debt advice to understand your options.
Key tip: Never assume a CCJ claim will disappear on its own. Taking early action gives you the
best chance to resolve the debt, avoid court costs, and prevent long-term damage to your credit
record.
When you receive a County Court Judgment (CCJ) claim form, it’s important to respond
quickly and clearly. Failing to reply could result in the court issuing a default judgment, making
it harder to challenge the debt later.
Your response should be detailed and organised. It can include:
- Admitting or disputing the debt – You can agree that you owe all, some, or none of the
amount claimed.
- Making an offer of payment – If you can’t afford the full balance, you may propose
instalments that reflect your financial situation.
- Including a ‘Statement of Means’ form – This outlines your income, household bills,
and living costs, showing the court what you can realistically afford to pay.
- Requesting more information – If the details of the claim are unclear or you dispute the
amount, you can ask the creditor or court for clarification before judgment is made.
Why your response matters
Responding to a CCJ claim is your chance to:
- Present your side of the story.
- Prevent the creditor from automatically winning by default.
- Protect your credit file from unnecessary damage.
- Show the court that you are willing to repay in a manageable way, without being forced
into insolvency.
Tip: Never ignore a CCJ claim form. Even if you can’t afford to pay in full, sending back a
completed response with a realistic repayment plan is far better than letting the court decide
without your input.
When you receive a County Court Judgment (CCJ) claim form, there is a strict deadline to
respond. The standard time limit is 30 days from the date on the letter. If you post your
response, remember to allow extra days for delivery.
If you miss this deadline, the court may issue a default judgment, which can damage your
credit record and allow creditors to take enforcement action without your input.
Key CCJ Timeframes You Need to Know
- 14 days’ notice before a CCJ claim starts – Creditors must give you at least two weeks
to prepare before formal action begins.
- 30 days to reply once you receive the CCJ claim form – This gives you a chance to
admit, dispute, or negotiate the debt.
- Extra time if you request further details – If you ask the creditor for more information
about the debt, they must allow at least 30 days after providing the documents before
continuing the process.
Why meeting the deadline matters
Replying on time can:
- Stop a default CCJ from being registered.
- Give you the chance to agree a payment plan that suits your finances.
- Protect your credit file from unnecessary damage.
- Prevent immediate enforcement action such as bailiffs or wage deductions.
Tip: Even if you can’t pay the debt in full, always send back your reply form before the 30-day
deadline. This shows the court you’re engaging with the process and could give you more
flexibility to manage repayments.
Receiving the Judgment: What Happens After a CCJ is Made
If the court issues a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you, you will receive an official
notice by post. This judgment will clearly set out:
- How much you owe
- How you are expected to pay (in instalments or in full)
- When payment is due
- Where to send payments
Can You Change the Repayment Terms?
If you cannot afford to pay the full amount demanded, you have the right to ask the court to
change the repayment terms. For example, you can apply to pay in monthly instalments
instead of one lump sum.
This request is especially important if:
- The CCJ demands immediate full payment.
- Your financial situation only allows you to make smaller, regular payments.
Why This Step Matters
Receiving a CCJ judgment does not mean you have no options. Acting quickly allows you to:
- Avoid defaulting and risking further enforcement (like bailiffs or wage deductions).
- Protect your income by ensuring repayments are realistic and affordable.
- Show the court and creditors that you are engaging responsibly with your debts.
Tip: Always respond promptly after receiving a CCJ judgment. The sooner you request a
variation in repayment terms, the more likely it is the court will approve an affordable plan.
What Happens If You Don’t Keep to the Terms of a CCJ
It is vital to stick to the repayment terms of your County Court Judgment (CCJ). Even if you
plan to dispute the debt, you should continue making the agreed monthly payments in the
meantime (if you are able to do so).
Consequences of Missing CCJ Payments
Failing to keep up with your CCJ repayment schedule can lead to serious legal consequences,
including:
- Creditors taking further court action.
- Applications for enforcement, such as bailiffs (enforcement agents).
- A possible Attachment of Earnings Order, where payments are taken directly from your
wages.
- The risk of additional costs and fees being added to your debt.
What If You Have an Unpaid CCJ?
If you have an unpaid County Court Judgment, the court may allow your creditors to use
enforcement measures to collect the debt. This could damage your credit record further and
make it even harder to access credit, mortgages, or rental agreements.
Tip: If your financial situation changes and you cannot meet the agreed CCJ payments, it’s
better to apply to the court for a variation order to reduce your instalments rather than
defaulting.
An Attachment of Earnings Order (AEO) is a way for the courts to enforce repayment of a
County Court Judgment (CCJ). If granted, money will be taken directly from your wages or
salary and paid to your creditor until the debt is cleared.
When Does an Attachment of Earnings Order Happen?
An AEO is usually applied for if:
- You have failed to keep up with your CCJ payments.
- You ignored the repayment plan set out by the court.
- Your creditor requested further enforcement action.
This makes it essential to continue making your monthly payments, even if you’re disputing the
debt or renegotiating terms.
What to Expect If You Receive an AEO Notice
If your creditor applies for an AEO, you will receive an N56 form from the court, which asks for
details of your employment and finances.
Important: You only have 8 days to respond to the notice. This includes postal time, so it’s
crucial to act quickly. If you ignore it, the court may decide without your input, which could
result in more severe repayment terms.
If you receive an Attachment of Earnings Order, seek debt advice immediately to understand
your rights and options. You may be able to vary the order if the deductions would cause you
financial hardship.
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) will appear on your credit report and can make it diƯicult to:
- Get approved for a mortgage, loan, or overdraft
- Apply for credit cards or mobile phone contracts
- Rent a property (landlords may check your credit file)
How Long Does a CCJ Stay on Your Credit File?
A CCJ will normally remain on your credit record for six years, even if you pay it off in full.
- Paid within one month: If you pay the CCJ in full within 30 days, you can apply to have it
completely removed from the credit register.
- Paid after one month but before six years: The CCJ will stay on your file, but it will be
marked as ‘satisfied’, showing lenders that you have cleared the debt. You can also
request a certificate of satisfaction as proof.
Why Does a CCJ Affect Your Credit Score?
Lenders see CCJs as a sign that you have had difficulty repaying debts in the past. This can
make them less likely to approve new borrowing. However, once satisfied, some creditors may
still be willing to lend — especially if you can demonstrate improved financial stability.
Need help dealing with a CCJ on your
Taking back control of your finances doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. At Care About Money, we make the process simple and supportive, keeping you informed at every stage, so you know exactly what to expect.
