A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a type of court order in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that might be registered against you if you fail to repay money you owe.
In England and Wales, County Court judgments are legal decisions handed down by the County Court. Judgments for monetary sums are entered on the statutory Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, which is checked by credit reference agencies to assess the credit-worthiness of individuals.
A CCJ can seriously harm your credit rating
CCJ is an abbreviation of County Court Judgement, which is a court order made when a creditor successfully argues that you have defaulted on a debt.
The order will state how much you owe to the creditor, and will also detail a repayment schedule which the court decides on after taking into account your financial circumstances.
A CCJ has very serious consequences for your credit rating and will remain on your credit file for 6 years regardless of whether you clear the debt or not.
A CCJ, or County Court Judgment, is a court order issued in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland that mandates a debtor to repay a debt they owe. It’s typically issued by a county court after a creditor takes legal action against a debtor for non-payment of a debt.
To obtain a CCJ, a creditor must first pursue debt recovery actions, such as sending reminder letters and issuing a Letter Before Action (LBA). If the debtor fails to respond or settle the debt, the creditor can then file a claim with the county court, which may result in the issuance of a CCJ if the court finds in favour of the creditor.
A CCJ stays on your credit file for six years from the date of issuance, regardless of whether the debt has been repaid. After six years, it is removed from your credit report.
Yes, you can dispute a CCJ if you believe it was issued in error or if you have a valid defence against the debt. You can apply to set aside the CCJ by completing the appropriate court forms and providing evidence to support your claim.
Having a CCJ can have several consequences, including damage to your credit rating, making it harder to obtain credit or loans in the future. It may also affect your ability to rent a property, as landlords often conduct credit checks on prospective tenants.
Yes, you can still pay off the debt after a CCJ has been issued. However, the CCJ will remain on your credit file for six years, even if you settle the debt in full.
Ignoring a CCJ can lead to further legal action by the creditor, such as enforcement proceedings to recover the debt. This may include measures such as bailiff enforcement, charging orders, or attachment of earnings.
It may be possible to obtain a mortgage with a CCJ on your credit file, but it can make it more challenging. Lenders may consider factors such as the age of the CCJ, the amount owed, and your overall creditworthiness when assessing your mortgage application.
To avoid getting a CCJ, it’s essential to manage your finances responsibly and ensure that you pay your debts on time. If you’re struggling to repay a debt, it’s advisable to communicate with your creditors and seek advice from debt advice organisations to explore options for managing your debts effectively.
In some cases, a CCJ can be removed from your credit file if it was issued in error or if you settle the debt within one month of the judgment being entered. You can also apply to have the CCJ marked as satisfied on your credit file once the debt has been repaid, although it will still remain visible for the full six-year period.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.
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