County Court Judgment (CCJ)

What Is a County Court Judgment (CCJ)?

A County Court Judgment, or a CCJ, is a court order in England and Wales. It tells you to repay a debt you owe. Receiving court forms can feel frightening, but we’re here to support you. You’re not alone, and we can guide you through the process step by step so you can regain control of your finances.

What happens before you get a CCJ?

Before any court action starts, your creditor will send a letter before the claim. This is a formal warning. It explains exactly how much money you owe and how they worked it out.

When you receive this letter, you’ve got 30 days to reply using the form provided. This is your chance to agree on a repayment plan directly with the creditor. Doing this can help you avoid going to court entirely. If you feel you don’t owe the money, you can write back to dispute the debt and ask them to prove their calculations.

How do you reply to a County Court claim form?

If you can’t agree with your creditor, the court will send you a claim form, also called a summons. You must act quickly. You usually have 14 days to reply from the date you receive it, or 19 days if the letter comes from the court business centre.

There are three main ways you can respond:

• Admit the debt: Fill in an N9A Admission form. You’ll need to share your income and spending and offer a monthly payment you can comfortably afford.
• Dispute the debt: If you think there’s a mistake, you can dispute the debt by filling out an N9B form to defend yourself.
• Ask for more time: You can send an Acknowledgement of Service form. This gives you 28 days to prepare your defence instead of the usual 14 days.

If you ignore the form, the court will make a Judgment in Default. This means they’ll decide how much you must pay, and they might ask for the whole amount immediately.

What happens after the court decides?

The court will review your forms and make a decision. They’ll issue an order detailing how much you need to repay. You must make your payments directly to your creditor, not the court.

There are different types of judgments:

• Judgment In Acceptance: Your creditor accepts the monthly payment offer you made on your form.
• Judgment After Determination: Your creditor rejects your offer. The court then looks at your income and spending to decide a fair payment.

If you can’t afford the payments the court sets, you can ask them to change the amount. You’ll need to fill out an N245 form. It costs £14 to apply, but if you receive benefits, you can fill in a fee exemption form so you don’t have to pay.

What happens if you don’t pay a CCJ?

If you fall behind on your agreed CCJ payments, your creditor can ask the court to take further enforcement action.

This could result in:

• Attachment of Earnings: The court orders your employer to take money straight from your wages. 
• Charging Order: The debt is secured against your property if you own your home.
• Bailiff Action: An enforcement agent may visit your home to remove goods.
• Third Party Debt Order: The court freezes your bank account.

Will a CCJ affect your credit file?

If you pay the full amount within 30 days of the judgment, the CCJ won’t go on your credit file at all.

If you take longer than a month to pay, it’ll stay on your credit record for six years. If you pay it off during those six years, the court marks it as satisfied.

Once you’ve paid the debt in full, you can ask the court for a Certificate of Satisfaction. There’s a £14 fee for this certificate. It’s a very useful document that proves you’ve cleared the debt straightaway.

Frequently asked questions about CCJs

Q: Can I stop a CCJ from happening? A: Yes. You can try to arrange a payment plan directly with your creditor when you receive the first letter before claim.

Q: How do I challenge a Charging Order? A: The first stage is an interim charge warning. If you wish to challenge it, you must write to the court seven days before the hearing to file an objection.

Q: Who do I contact to find my local court? A: You can find your local County Court address using the court finder tool on the government website, or by asking us for help.

Need help dealing with a CCJ?

Get free, confidential advice online or call 0800 316 1833 to speak to one of our experts. We’re here to help you understand your options and find a practical solution.