County Court Judgments (CCJs): What to Do When You're Taken to Court
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court order issued against you in England and Wales when a creditor claims you owe money and you don't respond or pay. CCJs can seriously affect your credit rating and can be enforced in several ways. But you have rights throughout the process, and if you act quickly enough, a CCJ can be prevented or removed. This guide explains what to do at each stage.
Get instant help right now
A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.
Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Scotland and Northern Ireland, different systems
Step 1, You receive a County Court Claim Form
Before a CCJ is issued, the creditor must first send you a County Court Claim Form (N1). This is not yet a judgment, it's a claim you can respond to. You have 14 days to respond.
- ✓Admit the full amount and request time to pay, the court will usually agree to affordable instalments
- ✓Admit part of the amount if you dispute the rest, and explain your position
- ✓Defend the claim if you dispute the whole debt
- ✓Acknowledge service (N9 form) to buy more time to file a defence
If you receive a CCJ
If a CCJ has already been issued against you, your options depend on timing:
If you pay the full amount within 30 days of the judgment, the CCJ is removed from the Register of Judgments and your credit file. Get a certificate of satisfaction from the court.
The CCJ stays on your credit file for 6 years, but it's marked as 'satisfied'. Get a certificate of satisfaction, this helps when applying for credit or housing.
Setting aside a CCJ
You can apply to the court to set aside (remove) a CCJ if:
- ✓You have a genuine defence to the claim that you didn't put forward (e.g. you didn't receive the claim form)
- ✓The claim form was sent to the wrong address
- ✓The debt is statute-barred (more than 6 years old with no payments or acknowledgements)
- ✓There were procedural errors in the claim
- ✓You have new evidence that changes the picture
CCJ enforcement methods
If you have a CCJ and don't pay, the creditor can apply to the court to enforce it. Enforcement methods include:
- ✓Attachment of earnings, deductions taken directly from your wages
- ✓Charging order, a charge placed on your property (usually enforced if you sell)
- ✓Third party debt order, money taken from your bank account
- ✓Bailiff enforcement (High Court Enforcement Officers or county court bailiffs)
Get instant help right now
A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.
Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I receive a County Court claim form?
You have 14 days to acknowledge the claim and 28 days from receipt to respond in full. Do not ignore it. If you agree you owe the money, you can offer to pay in instalments. If you dispute the claim, you must say so in your defence. Ignoring the claim results in a default judgment against you automatically.
How do I get a CCJ removed from my credit record?
A CCJ is removed from your credit file after 6 years. However, if you pay the full amount within 30 days of the judgment date, you can apply to have it marked as 'satisfied' and removed immediately using form N443. If you pay after 30 days, it is marked as satisfied but remains on your record until the 6 years are up.
Can I set aside a CCJ?
Yes. You can apply to set aside a CCJ using form N244 if: you were not properly notified of the claim, the claim form was sent to a wrong address, you have a valid defence, or there was some other procedural error. There is a court fee (you may qualify for a fee remission). A judge will decide whether to set it aside at a hearing.
What is a default CCJ?
A default CCJ is issued automatically when the defendant does not respond to the court claim within the time limit. The creditor gets judgment 'in default' without needing to prove their case. This is why it is critical to respond to any court claim form even if you cannot afford to pay, as you may have valid grounds to defend or negotiate.
Can a CCJ affect my job or housing?
CCJs appear on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, which is publicly searchable. Many landlords and employers run credit checks, a CCJ can affect private rental applications, mortgage applications, and some security-cleared or financial services jobs. Getting the CCJ satisfied or set aside as quickly as possible minimises the impact.
Related guides
Found this useful? Link to it
If you run a site, write an article, or help others with their rights, please link to this guide, it helps more people find free, reliable guidance.