What to do if you have a CCJ
If you've got a CCJ, the most important thing you can do is act quickly. The sooner you respond, the more options you have — whether that's paying it off, changing the repayment terms, or disputing it altogether.
In this guide, we cover everything you need to know — from what a CCJ actually is, to what happens if you leave it unpaid, and how to get it removed from your credit file once it's settled.
6 min read
In a nutshell
- A CCJ is a court order confirming you owe money — and the sooner you act, the more options you'll have to agree repayment terms that work for you.
- Paying within 30 days means the CCJ can be removed from your credit file entirely, but you'll need to apply to the court for this once you've paid.
- It's worth taking action rather than leaving a CCJ unpaid — the court can help you agree a repayment plan that reflects what you can actually afford.
- The CCJ drops off your credit file after six years, but the debt can outlast it — creditors may still try to recover what's owed.
What is a CCJ?
A CCJ — or county court judgment — is a court order that says you owe someone money. It's usually a last resort for the people or companies you owe, after other attempts to get the money back haven't worked.
Once you have a CCJ, it shows on your credit file for up to six years with all three main credit reference agencies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This can make it trickier to get credit, rent a home, or in some cases even affect certain jobs — so it's worth sorting out as soon as you can.
If you're in Scotland, the process is a little different. The equivalent there is called a decree.
How does someone get a CCJ?
A CCJ doesn't just appear out of nowhere. Before a creditor can go to court, they have to follow a set process:
- They send you a letter of claim, giving you 30 days to respond, pay the debt, or try to reach an agreement
- If nothing is resolved, they send you a county court claim form
- You then have 14 days to respond to that form
Responding at this stage is important as it means the court can take your income and outgoings into account when deciding how you repay. If you ignore it, the court will still issue a CCJ — but could order you to pay everything back at once, with no consideration of what you can actually afford. This is called a default judgment.
What should you do if you get a CCJ?
If you get a CCJ, don't panic — there are several ways to deal with it. The right option for you will depend on whether you can pay, how quickly you can pay, and whether you think the CCJ has been issued fairly. Here's a breakdown of your options.
Pay in full within 30 days
If you can afford to do this, it’s usually the simplest outcome. If you pay the full amount within 30 days of the judgment date, the CCJ will be completely removed from your credit file and the public register — as though it never happened.
You'll need to send the court proof of payment and apply for a certificate of cancellation using form N443. This is a simple form that confirms the debt has been settled in full.
Pay in full after 30 days
If you pay after the 30-day window has passed, the CCJ won’t be removed — but it will be updated from ‘unsatisfied’ to ‘satisfied’ on your credit file. This can look more positive to future lenders. You can apply for a certificate of satisfaction (also using form N443) and ask the court to notify the credit reference agencies.
To make payments, set up a Direct Debit or standing order — this gives you a clear paper trail. Payments go directly to the creditor or their solicitors, not to the court.
Ask to change the payment terms
If the payments feel unmanageable, you can apply to the court to change them. Fill in form N245 with your income and outgoings, and the court will consider a monthly or weekly amount that's more realistic for you. There may be a fee, but this can be waived or reduced if you're on a low income.
What if you didn’t know about the CCJ?
It happens more than you'd think — sometimes a CCJ gets registered without you ever knowing about it, usually because the paperwork went to an old address. You might only find out when you check your credit report or get turned down for something.
The good news is you can apply to have it set aside, which means asking the court to take another look. You'll need to fill in form N244 and usually pay a fee. Common reasons include not receiving the original claim form, or believing the debt isn’t owed.
If the court agrees, the CCJ will be removed — but the legal process carries on, so you'll still need to respond to the original claim.
One important thing to know: the sooner you apply, the better. Courts are much more likely to consider it if you act quickly.
How long does a CCJ last?
A CCJ stays on your credit file and the public register for six years from the date it was issued — whether you’ve paid it or not. After six years, it’s automatically removed from both.
That said, its impact does reduce over time. The older a CCJ is, the less weight most lenders give it — especially if you’ve kept up with other payments in the meantime. A satisfied CCJ (one that’s been paid) also looks better on your file than an unsatisfied one.
The exception is if you pay in full within 30 days — in that case, the CCJ is removed entirely and won’t appear on your credit file at all.
How many CCJs can you have?
There’s no legal limit on how many CCJs can be registered against you. Each one is a separate court order relating to a separate debt. However, the more CCJs you have, the greater the combined impact on your credit score — and the harder it will be to get credit, rent a property, or access financial products.
What happens if you don’t pay a CCJ?
Ignoring a CCJ can lead to serious consequences. If you don’t pay or agree a repayment arrangement, your creditor can apply to the court for enforcement action. This could include:
- Bailiffs visiting your home to collect goods up to the value of the debt
- A charging order, which secures the debt against your property if you’re a homeowner — meaning it would be repaid when you sell or remortgage
- An attachment of earnings order, which deducts money directly from your wages to cover the debt
- A third-party debt order, which can freeze and take money directly from your bank account
If you’re struggling to afford the payments set out in your CCJ, the best thing you can do is contact the court rather than ignore it.
What happens if you don’t pay a CCJ after 6 years?
After six years, a CCJ is automatically removed from your credit file and the public register — regardless of whether it’s been paid. This means lenders won’t be able to see it, and you’re not required to tell them about it when applying for credit.
However — and this is important — the debt itself doesn’t disappear. Your creditor can still contact you about it and may still attempt to recover what’s owed. To take enforcement action (such as sending bailiffs) after the six-year mark, a creditor would need to apply to the court for permission first. This is not automatic, but it is possible.
In some situations, a creditor may still be able to take further legal action to recover the debt, although they would usually need the court’s permission if the judgment is more than six years old.
If you’re approaching the six-year mark with an unpaid CCJ and you’re unsure what to do, it’s worth speaking to a free debt adviser before making any decisions.
How to remove a CCJ after payment
What happens after you’ve paid depends on when you pay:
- Paid within 30 days: Apply for a certificate of cancellation using form N443. The CCJ will be removed from the register and your credit file entirely.
- Paid after 30 days: Apply for a certificate of satisfaction (also form N443). The CCJ stays on your file for the full six years but is updated to ‘satisfied’.
In both cases, send proof of payment to the court and ask them to notify the credit reference agencies. It’s also worth checking your credit report afterwards to make sure it’s been updated correctly. If it hasn’t, you can contact the agencies directly to get it corrected, but bear in mind it can take a few months for changes to show.
Where to get free help
If you’re struggling with debt or worried about a CCJ, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Free, confidential, and non-judgmental advice is available from:
These organisations can help you understand your options, communicate with creditors on your behalf, and find a way forward that works for you.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of any external sites.
