How to Clear County Court Judgements
2nd May 2025
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) claim form doesn't come out of the blue - there are a series of steps your creditor must follow before reaching this point. Before a creditor can start legal action, they are required to try and reach an agreement with you first. It costs money for any creditor to go to court and it really is a last resort for them. Try to engage with them and arrange a payment plan or longer time to pay it back before it gets to that stage.
How to Respond to a CCJ Claim Form
If you didn’t respond to default notices which you were sent, or failed to reach an agreement with your creditors, the next step is for them to issue a CCJ claim form. The claim form lets you state your case to the court and lay out your financial situation. Ignoring the letter will still result in a CCJ against you, but the court won’t be able to factor in your financial situation. This could mean the court demands you pay the full amount immediately, even if it’s unaffordable. When you receive a CCJ claim form, you usually have 14 days to respond. If you need more time, you can request an extension.
Receiving the Judgment
It’s a good idea to attend the court hearing, as it may give you a chance to agree on a repayment plan. If you don't attend and the court can’t consider your circumstances, they may ask you to pay the full amount immediately.
How a CCJ Affects Your Credit Record
A CCJ will be recorded in the Register of Judgments, Orders, and Fines, and it will appear on your credit report. If you pay off the debt in full within 30 days of receiving the judgment, you can apply to have the CCJ removed. Otherwise, it will stay on the register for six years, severely impacting your ability to get credit, loans, or even a bank account in the future.
You can apply to have a CCJ cancelled and scrubbed off your record if you paid it before the court date, or pay within a month of getting the judgement. There is an additional fee to pay to the court to make this happen.
If you fully repay a CCJ more than a month after receiving the judgement, it can be marked as satisfied on the register, showing you have paid. It will still stay on your record for six years, but it will indicate the debt is cleared.
How to Avoid Receiving a CCJ
If you're having trouble keeping up with repayments, it's important to ask for help before the situation gets to court. Debt advice charities can help you understand your options and work out a plan to manage your debts. There are usually options such as asking for extended payment terms or taking a payment holiday for a short period. Keep lines of communication open and always be open about your situation.
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