Receiving a County Court Judgment (CCJ) can be stressful and damaging to your credit rating, but it doesn’t have to define your financial future. Whether you want to dispute the judgment, set it aside, or remove it entirely, our expert civil litigation solicitors can guide you through the process step by step.
In this article, we explain what a CCJ is, how it can affect you, and what practical options you have for CCJ removal or defence.
Summary
What is a County Court Judgement?
Responding to a Claim for a CCJ
What Happens If I Ignore A County Court Claim?
What Happens If I Don’t Pay A CCJ In 6 Years?
Can You Appeal A County Court Judgement?
How Does A County Court Judgement Affect Credit Rating?
Contact Our Civil Litigation Solicitors For Help Dealing With A CCJ
What is a County Court Judgement?
A CCJ is a court order requiring you to pay money that you owe. If it remains unpaid for a month or more, it will appear on your credit report so that anyone checking this will see that you have not paid a debt.
If you can pay it within one calendar month of it being issued, it will not be added to your credit report, although the arrears that you owed, along with the default, will be on the report for six years and will also negatively affect your credit report. You should ideally apply for a Certificate of Satisfaction from the Court, which you can do by sending the Court this form.
Responding to a Claim for a CCJ
If you wish to defend a claim for a County Court Judgment (CCJ), you should complete the reply form that comes with the Claim Form (Form N1), known as the response pack, and return it to the Court and the person claiming within 14 days of the date on the Claim form.
In your response, clearly outline the reasons why you believe you do not owe the money and include any supporting documents or evidence. If you need more time to prepare your defence, you can use Form N9 to request an additional 14 days, giving you a total of 28 days. Form N9A should be used if you admit the debt and intend to pay it, while Form N9B allows you to formally defend the claim.
However, responding to a County Court Claim correctly and on time is critical; even a small mistake or missed deadline can result in a CCJ being entered against you. Our experienced civil litigation solicitors can help you prepare your response, complete the right forms, and build a strong defence to protect your finances and your credit rating.
Paying A CCJ: Removing A CCJ
Payment should be made to the person to whom you owe the debt or their solicitor and not to the court. You should keep records of the payment, which could be by bank transfer or cheque. If the creditor has agreed to accept payment in instalments, you can consider setting up a direct debit or standing order.
If you need to pay a CCJ with no paperwork, you should contact the court with the reference number, and they will be able to provide you with details of the creditor.
What Happens If I Ignore A County Court Claim?
If you ignore a County Court Claim, it may become a CCJ, which will be added to your credit reference file, which will affect your credit rating and is likely to make it harder for you to secure your choice of mortgage or credit card in the future.
What Happens If I Don’t Pay A CCJ In 6 Years?
If you fail to pay a CCJ, the creditor could seek to enforce the debt. This could be by attending to your property to seek payment through bailiffs, taking goods from you to cover the value of the debt, seizing your vehicle, obtaining an attachment of earnings order so that payment will be made directly from your salary or securing the debt against your property, meaning it would have to be repaid if you wished to remortgage or sell your home.
If the creditor uses a bailiff, then their costs will be added to the debt every time they come to your property. A CCJ does not expire with time.
Can You Appeal A County Court Judgement?
If you disagree with a CCJ and didn’t have the chance to defend yourself, you may be able to apply to have the judgment set aside by completing Form N244 and sending it to the court. This is often the right step if, for example, the claim form was sent to your old address or the creditor ignored your response.
When a CCJ is set aside, the judgment is effectively removed, and the court process will usually start again, allowing you to properly defend your case. However, this does not automatically cancel the debt, so it’s important to have a clear strategy before taking action.
You’ll generally need to show that you have a valid defence, for example, that the amount claimed is incorrect or that the agreement doesn’t comply with the contract in place or against the law.
As court procedures can be complex and time-sensitive, professional legal advice can make a significant difference. Our experienced civil litigation solicitors can assess your situation, prepare the necessary paperwork, and represent you in court to give you the best possible chance of overturning or appealing a CCJ.
If you’ve already attended a court hearing and wish to appeal a CCJ decision, you must act quickly; appeals are normally made within 21 days. We can help you prepare your appeal and present a strong case to the court.
How Does A County Court Judgement Affect Credit Rating?
A CCJ will significantly lower your credit score, generally by as much as 250 points. It is one of the most negative entries on a credit report. As well as affecting your ability to take on a mortgage or credit card, it could also affect your ability to rent a property or enter into a mobile phone contract. It will remain on your credit report for six years.
Contact Our Civil Litigation Solicitors For Help Dealing With A CCJ
Don’t face a County Court Judgment alone. Our experienced civil litigation solicitors are here to protect your rights and guide you through every stage of the process, from challenging unfair claims to negotiating settlements and defending court actions.
Call us today on 0300 303 2071, email info@witansolicitors.uk, or complete our quick online contact form to get expert legal advice tailored to your situation. We have offices conveniently located in Birmingham and Northampton, and we’re ready to help you take control of your financial and legal future.
