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County Court Judgment (CCJ)

A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court order that can be registered against someone who fails to repay money they owe. A CCJ can have serious consequences for the person it is registered against, affecting their ability to get credit, mortgages, and even bank accounts for up to six years.

This guide explains what a CCJ is, the different types of judgment, how to obtain one, how to get a CCJ removed or set aside, and how to enforce a CCJ if the other party still refuses to pay.

What Is a County Court Judgment?

A County Court Judgment is a formal decision by a county court that a person (the defendant) owes money to another person or organisation (the claimant). It is one of the most common outcomes of a small claims court case when the defendant either does not respond to the claim, admits owing the money, or loses at trial.

Once a CCJ is entered, it is recorded on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, maintained by Registry Trust Ltd. This register is publicly accessible and is checked by credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) when compiling credit reports.

Key Facts About CCJs

  • A CCJ stays on the register for 6 years from the date of judgment
  • If paid in full within 30 days, the CCJ is removed from the register entirely
  • If paid after 30 days, the CCJ is marked as "satisfied" but remains on the register
  • An unsatisfied CCJ severely damages a person's credit rating
  • The claimant can use various enforcement methods if the debtor does not pay

The existence of a CCJ on someone's credit file makes it very difficult for them to obtain credit cards, personal loans, car finance, or mortgages. Many landlords also check credit files before agreeing to let a property, so a CCJ can affect the ability to rent. Some employers in the financial services sector also carry out credit checks.

This is why a CCJ is such a powerful tool for claimants. Even if the defendant does not pay immediately, the threat of a CCJ on their credit file is often enough to motivate payment. And if they still do not pay, enforcement action can be taken.

Types of County Court Judgment

There are several different ways a CCJ can be entered, depending on how the defendant responds (or fails to respond) to the claim.

Default Judgment

A default judgment is entered when the defendant fails to respond to the claim within the time limit (usually 14 days after service, or 28 days if they filed an acknowledgment of service). This is the most common type of CCJ in small claims cases.

To request a default judgment, the claimant files Form N225 (for a specified amount) or Form N227 (for an unspecified amount). If the claim is for a specified sum, the court will normally enter judgment without a hearing. If the amount is unspecified, the court may list a hearing to assess the amount owed.

How to request: File Form N225 (specified amount) or N227 (unspecified amount) after the deadline for responding has passed.

Judgment on Admission

If the defendant admits the claim (either in full or in part), the claimant can request judgment on the admission. The defendant may propose how they wish to pay, for example by instalments. If the claimant accepts the defendant's proposals for payment, judgment is entered on those terms.

If the claimant does not accept the defendant's proposed payment terms, the court will decide the rate of payment based on the defendant's statement of means (their income and outgoings). This is called a "determination" and is done by a court officer without a hearing.

Judgment After Trial

If the defendant files a defence and the case proceeds to a hearing, the judge will decide the case and may enter judgment in favour of the claimant. A judgment after trial is binding and enforceable in the same way as any other CCJ.

The judge may order payment immediately, by a specific date, or by instalments. The judge will also decide whether the defendant should pay any court fees or other costs incurred by the claimant.

Consent Order (Tomlin Order)

If the parties reach a settlement at any point during the proceedings, they can ask the court to record the agreement as a consent order. This has the same legal force as a judgment and can be enforced in the same way.

A Tomlin order is a particular type of consent order where the detailed terms are set out in a schedule attached to the order, rather than in the order itself. This can be useful where the terms are complex or confidential.

Getting a County Court Judgment

If you have filed a claim and the defendant has not responded within the time limit, or has admitted the claim, you can request that the court enters a CCJ. The process depends on whether your claim is for a specified or unspecified amount of money.

Step-by-Step Process

1

File your claim

Submit Form N1 (claim form) to the court or use Money Claim Online.

2

Serve the defendant

The court serves the claim on the defendant. They have 14 days to respond (or 28 days if they file an acknowledgment of service).

3

Wait for the deadline to pass

If the defendant does not respond, you can request judgment after the deadline.

4

Request judgment

File Form N225 (specified amount) or N227 (unspecified amount). You can choose whether to request payment immediately, by a set date, or by instalments.

5

CCJ is entered

The court enters judgment and it is recorded on the Register of Judgments. The defendant is notified.

Important: You cannot request a default judgment if the defendant has filed a defence or acknowledgment of service within the time limit. If they filed an acknowledgment but not a defence, you must wait for the extended 28-day period to expire.

See also: GOV.UK - County Court Judgments for Debt

Setting Aside a Default Judgment

If a default judgment has been entered against you, it may be possible to have it "set aside" (cancelled). This is governed by Part 13 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR). There are two grounds on which a defendant can apply to set aside a default judgment.

CPR 13.2 - Mandatory Set Aside

The court must set aside the default judgment if:

  • The defendant filed an acknowledgment of service or a defence, and the judgment was entered before the deadline for responding had actually passed
  • The claim form was not properly served on the defendant
  • The defendant had already satisfied the whole claim (including costs and interest) before judgment was entered

Under CPR 13.2, the court has no discretion - it must set aside the judgment if any of these conditions are met. The defendant does not need to show a reasonable prospect of successfully defending the claim.

CPR 13.3 - Discretionary Set Aside

If the conditions for mandatory set aside are not met, the defendant can still apply under CPR 13.3. The court may set aside the judgment if:

  • The defendant has a real prospect of successfully defending the claim
  • There is some other good reason why the judgment should be set aside or the defendant should be allowed to defend the claim

When considering a discretionary set aside, the court will also look at:

  • Whether the defendant acted promptly in applying to set aside the judgment
  • Whether the defendant has a good explanation for the failure to file an acknowledgment of service or defence on time (e.g. illness, not receiving the claim form, being abroad)
  • The overall merits of the defence and whether allowing the case to proceed would serve the interests of justice

The court balances the prejudice to the claimant of losing their judgment against the prejudice to the defendant of having a judgment entered without being heard.

How to Apply to Set Aside a CCJ

To apply to set aside a default judgment, the defendant must:

  1. Complete Form N244 (Application Notice)
  2. Pay the application fee of £275
  3. Prepare a witness statement explaining why they failed to respond on time, setting out the proposed defence, and providing any supporting evidence
  4. Attach a draft defence to the application
  5. File the application at the court that entered the judgment
  6. Serve a copy of the application on the claimant at least 3 clear days before the hearing

Tip for defendants: Act quickly. The longer you wait to apply to set aside a judgment, the less likely the court is to grant your application under CPR 13.3. There is no fixed time limit, but delay is always held against the applicant.

For claimants: If the defendant applies to set aside your CCJ, you will be given the opportunity to oppose the application. You should attend the hearing and be prepared to explain why the judgment should stand. If the judgment is set aside, the case continues as a defended claim and will proceed to a mediation or hearing.

CCJ Removal from the Register

A CCJ remains on the Register of Judgments for 6 years from the date it was entered. However, there are circumstances in which a CCJ can be removed or its impact reduced.

Paid Within 30 Days

If the full amount of the judgment (including court fees and interest) is paid within 30 days of the date the judgment was entered, the CCJ is removed from the register entirely.

It will be as if the CCJ never existed. It will not appear on credit checks. You must apply to have it removed by contacting the court and providing proof of payment.

Paid After 30 Days

If the judgment is paid after the 30-day window, the CCJ remains on the register but is marked as "satisfied". This tells anyone checking the register that the debt has been paid.

A satisfied CCJ is less damaging than an unsatisfied one, but it still appears on credit reports for the remaining period of the 6 years.

Other Routes to CCJ Removal

  • Set aside the judgment: If the CCJ is successfully set aside under CPR 13.2 or 13.3 (see above), it is removed from the register as it no longer exists.
  • Wait 6 years: The CCJ is automatically removed from the register after 6 years from the date of judgment, whether or not it has been paid.
  • Error on the judgment: If the CCJ was entered in error (for example, the wrong person was named, or the claim was already settled), you can apply to have it set aside or corrected.

See also: Registry Trust - Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines

Certificate of Satisfaction (N293A)

When you have paid a CCJ in full (after the initial 30-day window), you should apply for a Certificate of Satisfaction to have the CCJ marked as satisfied on the register. This tells credit reference agencies and anyone else checking the register that the debt has been paid.

How to Apply for a Certificate of Satisfaction

  1. Complete Form N293A (Application for a Certificate of Satisfaction or Cancellation)
  2. Pay the fee of £15
  3. Provide proof of payment (bank statements, receipts, or a letter from the claimant confirming payment)
  4. Send the form and fee to the court that entered the judgment
  5. The court will check the details and, if satisfied, issue the certificate and notify Registry Trust to update the register

Tip: If the judgment was paid within 30 days, use Form N293A to apply for cancellation rather than satisfaction. This removes the entry from the register entirely. The fee is still £15.

How to Enforce a County Court Judgment

Getting a CCJ does not automatically mean you will receive the money owed. If the defendant (now called the "judgment debtor") does not pay voluntarily, you will need to take enforcement action. There are several enforcement methods available, each suited to different circumstances.

Consider carefully: Enforcement costs money and effort. Before taking enforcement action, consider whether the judgment debtor has the means to pay. You can apply for an Order to Obtain Information (Form N316, £55) to find out about the debtor's financial circumstances before deciding which enforcement method to use.

Warrant of Control

A court bailiff or enforcement agent visits the debtor to collect the money owed or take goods to sell at auction.

Best for: When the debtor has physical assets or goods of value

Form N323
Fee: £77

Attachment of Earnings

The court orders the debtor’s employer to deduct money from their wages and send it to you.

Best for: When the debtor is employed (not self-employed)

Form N337
Fee: £110

Third Party Debt Order

Freezes and takes money directly from the debtor’s bank account or from a third party who owes them money.

Best for: When you know the debtor’s bank details

Form N349
Fee: £110

Charging Order

Secures the debt against the debtor’s property or land. They cannot sell without paying you first.

Best for: When the debtor owns property but has no ready cash

Form N379
Fee: £110+

Order to Obtain Information

The debtor is ordered to attend court and answer questions about their finances, employment, and assets.

Best for: When you need to find out what the debtor owns before choosing an enforcement method

Form N316
Fee: £55

You may use more than one enforcement method at the same time, but you should be careful not to recover more than the amount owed. The costs of enforcement can usually be added to the amount the debtor owes.

Detailed guide: Enforcing the Judgment - Full Guide

See also: EX321 - I have a judgment but the defendant hasn't paid, what do I do?

Impact on Credit Rating

A CCJ is one of the most damaging entries that can appear on a credit report. All three major UK credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) record CCJ information from the Register of Judgments.

Unsatisfied CCJ

  • Severely damages credit score for the full 6 years
  • Almost certainly prevents mortgage applications
  • Credit cards and personal loans will be refused
  • May prevent opening new bank accounts
  • Can affect ability to rent property (landlord credit checks)
  • May affect employment in financial services

Satisfied CCJ

  • Still appears on credit report for 6 years but is less damaging
  • Some lenders will consider mortgage applications (specialist lenders)
  • Shows the debt was paid, which is viewed more favourably
  • Impact diminishes over time as the CCJ gets older
  • Landlords and employers may view it more favourably than unsatisfied

Best outcome for defendants: If you receive a CCJ, pay it in full within 30 days to have it removed from the register entirely. This protects your credit rating. If you cannot pay the full amount within 30 days, pay as soon as possible and apply for a certificate of satisfaction.

Practical Tips

For Claimants

  • Request judgment promptly: Once the defendant's time to respond has passed, don't delay in filing Form N225 or N227. The longer you wait, the more time the defendant has to file a late defence.
  • Choose payment terms carefully on the judgment request: If you request immediate payment and the defendant cannot pay, you will need to take enforcement action. Sometimes instalments are more practical.
  • Keep records of all correspondence: If the defendant later applies to set aside the judgment, you will need to show that the claim was properly served and that you followed the correct procedures.
  • Consider an information order before enforcement: Before spending money on enforcement, use Form N316 (£55) to find out whether the defendant has any assets or income worth pursuing.
  • Add enforcement costs to the debt: The costs of enforcement applications can usually be added to the amount the judgment debtor owes.

For Defendants

  • Always respond to a claim within the time limit: Even if you intend to pay, file an acknowledgment of service to give yourself more time. Ignoring a claim is the fastest route to a CCJ on your credit file.
  • Pay within 30 days if you can: This is the single most important action you can take to protect your credit rating. The CCJ will be removed from the register as if it never existed.
  • Negotiate with the claimant: If you cannot pay the full amount, try to reach an agreement with the claimant. They may accept instalments or a reduced amount in settlement.
  • Apply to set aside promptly if you have grounds: Delay weakens your application. If you did not receive the claim form, or have a genuine defence, apply as soon as possible.
  • Get a certificate of satisfaction when you pay: Do not assume the register will be updated automatically. You must apply using Form N293A (£15) to have the CCJ marked as satisfied.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a CCJ last?

A CCJ stays on the Register of Judgments for 6 years from the date it was entered. After 6 years it is automatically removed, whether or not it has been paid. However, the underlying debt may still exist after the CCJ has been removed from the register, and the claimant may still be able to enforce the judgment (with the court's permission) for up to 6 years from the date of judgment.

Can I get a CCJ removed from my credit file?

Yes, but only in specific circumstances. If you pay within 30 days of the judgment date, you can apply to have it removed entirely (cancelled). If the judgment was entered in error, or you successfully apply to set it aside under CPR 13.2 or 13.3, it will also be removed. Otherwise, the CCJ remains on the register for 6 years. Paying the debt after 30 days will result in the CCJ being marked as satisfied, but it will not be removed.

How much does it cost to set aside a CCJ?

The application fee for setting aside a default judgment is £275. You will need to complete Form N244 (Application Notice) and provide a witness statement and draft defence. If you are on a low income, you may be eligible for fee remission (help with court fees) using Form EX160.

Can I get a mortgage with a CCJ?

It is very difficult but not always impossible. An unsatisfied CCJ will almost certainly prevent a mortgage with a mainstream lender. A satisfied CCJ may be considered by specialist lenders, though you will likely pay higher interest rates. The older the CCJ and the smaller the amount, the more likely a lender is to consider your application. Most lenders require at least 12-24 months to have passed since the CCJ was satisfied.

What happens if I ignore a CCJ?

Ignoring a CCJ does not make it go away. The claimant can use various enforcement methods to collect the debt, including sending bailiffs to your home, deducting money from your wages, freezing your bank account, or placing a charge on your property. The CCJ will remain on your credit file for 6 years, making it very difficult to obtain credit or rent property.

Can I pay a CCJ in instalments?

Yes. When you admit a claim, you can propose a rate of payment that you can afford. If the claimant accepts, the court will enter judgment on those terms. If the claimant does not accept, the court will decide on a suitable rate based on your income and expenses. Even after judgment is entered, you can apply to vary the payment terms if your circumstances change.

Is a CCJ the same as a criminal record?

No. A CCJ is a civil matter, not a criminal one. It will not appear on a standard DBS (criminal records) check. However, it does appear on credit reference checks, and some employers (particularly in financial services) carry out credit checks as part of their recruitment process.

What is the difference between a CCJ and a default notice?

A default notice is issued by a creditor (such as a bank or credit card company) when you fall behind on payments. It is not a court order. A CCJ is issued by a court after legal proceedings have been brought against you. Both appear on your credit file, but a CCJ is generally considered more serious and damaging to your credit score.

Related Guides

Enforcing the Judgment
Detailed guide to all enforcement methods including warrants, attachment of earnings, and charging orders
Filling in the N1 Claim Form
Step-by-step guide to completing the claim form that starts your case
Processing Your Claim
What happens after you submit your claim and what to expect from the court
Writing a Witness Statement
How to prepare a witness statement for a small claims hearing

Quick Reference

Default judgment (specified): Form N225

Default judgment (unspecified): Form N227

Set aside application: Form N244 - £275

Certificate of satisfaction: Form N293A - £15

CCJ on register: 6 years from judgment date

Removal if paid within: 30 days

Credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion

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Guide Sections

On This Page

Key Forms

N225: Request default judgment (specified)

N227: Request default judgment (unspecified)

N244: Application to set aside (£275)

N293A: Certificate of satisfaction (£15)

N323: Warrant of control (£77)

N316: Order to obtain information (£55)

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