Last updated: 4 November 2026. General information for England and Wales, not legal or debt advice.
Court papers through the letterbox are frightening. Words like “claim form” and “judgment” sound serious, and you might be worried about bailiffs, your credit score or even your home. If you’ve received a County Court claim or already have a CCJ, the most important thing is this: don’t ignore it. Acting quickly gives you far more options.
This guide explains what a CCJ is, what to do when you get court papers, how long a CCJ stays on your credit file and how you might be able to get it removed. It’s part of my debt and credit UK guide.
Got court papers? Contact a free debt adviser today: National Debtline (0808 808 4000) or StepChange (0800 138 1111). There are deadlines, and advisers can help you respond.
What is a CCJ?
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court order in England and Wales saying you owe money and must repay it. A creditor can apply for one if you’ve fallen behind on a debt and haven’t agreed a way to repay.
A CCJ:
- Sets out how much you owe and how to pay (in full or by monthly instalments)
- Is recorded on the public Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines
- Appears on your credit file
- Can lead to enforcement, such as bailiffs or deductions from your wages, if you don’t pay as ordered
How a CCJ happens: the steps
- You fall behind on a debt, often after a default.
- The creditor sends a “letter before claim”, usually giving you time to respond or agree a plan.
- The court sends you a claim form if things aren’t sorted.
- You respond: admit the debt and offer payments, dispute it, or both.
- The court makes a judgment, often with monthly payments based on what you’ve said you can afford.
If you don’t respond to the claim form by the deadline, the creditor can ask for a judgment “by default”, often for the full amount or payments you can’t afford. That’s why responding matters so much.
What to do if you receive a claim form
GOV.UK says you must respond by the date on the letter or email you receive. Then:
- Read it carefully. Check the creditor, the amount and whether you recognise the debt.
- Decide how to respond:
- Admit it and make an offer of monthly payments you can afford (include your income and spending)
- Dispute it if you don’t owe it, the amount is wrong, or it’s statute barred (no payment or acknowledgement for six years)
- Partly admit it if you owe some but not all
- Respond online or by post, following the instructions on the form.
- Keep copies of everything.
- Get free advice if you’re unsure. Advisers can help you fill in the form and work out a realistic offer.
How long does a CCJ stay on your credit file?
According to StepChange, a CCJ stays on your credit file and the public register for six years from the date of the judgment, then drops off, even if it hasn’t been paid.
Can a CCJ be removed early?
Yes, in some cases:
| Situation | What you can do |
|---|---|
| You pay the full amount within one month of the judgment | Apply to the court for a certificate of cancellation (form N443) with proof of payment. The CCJ is removed from the register and your credit file |
| You pay in full after one month | Apply for a certificate of satisfaction (form N443, £19 fee). The CCJ stays for six years but shows as paid, which looks better to lenders |
| You didn’t know about the claim (for example, it went to an old address) | You may be able to apply to have the judgment set aside. Get advice quickly |
| The judgment is wrong | Get advice about applying to set it aside |
Figures from StepChange, checked November 2026. Court fees can change; check GOV.UK before applying.
What if I can’t afford the CCJ payments?
If your circumstances change, you can ask the court to change the payment amount (form N245). Include up-to-date details of your income and spending. Keep paying what you can in the meantime, and tell the creditor.
If you miss CCJ payments, the creditor can ask the court for enforcement, such as:
- Bailiffs (enforcement agents). See your rights in my debt collectors and bailiffs guide
- An attachment of earnings order (payments taken from your wages)
- A charging order on property you own
How a CCJ affects you
- Credit: harder to get credit cards, loans or mortgages for six years, especially while it’s recent and unpaid
- Mortgages: some lenders won’t accept recent CCJs; others may with a bigger deposit. A broker can help
- Renting: some landlords check for CCJs
- Jobs: some roles, especially in finance, check for CCJs
Rebuilding after a CCJ
- Pay it as ordered, or in full if you can, and get a certificate of satisfaction
- Pay everything else on time
- Register to vote and check your credit reports for errors
- Avoid lots of applications
My guide on how to improve your credit score has the full list.
CCJs: people also ask
What is a CCJ?
A County Court Judgment is a court order in England and Wales saying you owe money and setting out how to repay it. It goes on the public register and your credit file for six years.
How long does a CCJ last?
Six years from the date of the judgment. After that, it’s removed from the register and your credit file, even if unpaid. Paying it in full within one month can get it removed straight away.
Can I remove a CCJ if I pay it?
If you pay in full within one month of the judgment, you can apply for it to be removed. If you pay after that, it stays for six years but is marked as satisfied.
Can I get a mortgage with a CCJ?
Possibly, especially if it’s older, small and satisfied. You may have fewer lenders to choose from and need a bigger deposit. An independent mortgage broker can advise you.
What happens if I ignore a CCJ?
The creditor can ask for enforcement, such as bailiffs, deductions from your wages or a charging order on your home. Ignoring court papers also makes it more likely the judgment will be for an amount you can’t afford.
Will a CCJ affect my partner’s credit score?
Not directly. A CCJ is in your name. But if you have joint finances, your partner may be “financially associated” with you, and lenders may look at both files for joint applications.
Summary
- A CCJ is a court order to repay a debt, in England and Wales.
- Respond to court papers by the deadline, and offer what you can afford.
- It stays on your credit file for six years, unless you pay in full within one month.
- If you can’t keep up, ask the court to change the payments and get free advice.
Next step: see where to get free debt advice, or go back to the debt and credit UK guide.
General information only, not legal or debt advice. If you’ve received court papers, please contact a free, confidential debt advice service straight away.
Sources (checked 4 November 2026): Official source for corrected claim · StepChange: how long does a CCJ last? · GOV.UK: respond to a money claim · GOV.UK: your rights if bailiffs visit