A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court record saying a debt is owed and must be paid. In UK households it often shows up suddenly: a credit check fails for a mobile contract, a landlord rejects a tenancy, or a mortgage broker flags a “judgment” that nobody remembers. Many people only discover it after moving home, changing email addresses, or missing post during a busy period.
Typical patterns include a small original debt (parking charge, utility final bill, catalogue account, old mobile contract) that grew with fees and got passed between collectors. Another common pattern is a claim form sent to an old address, leading to a “default judgment” because no defence was filed.
What it looks like day-to-day
Spot the common signs
Most people notice a CCJ through one of these:
- Credit score drops sharply, with “County Court” or “judgment” showing on a report.
- Debt letters become more formal, mentioning “judgment”, “warrant”, or “enforcement”.
- Employer payroll receives an attachment of earnings order (less common, but serious).
- A bailiff/enforcement agent letter arrives referencing a court claim number.
Check the key details
Before doing anything else, gather the basics:
- Court claim number (often starts with letters and numbers).
- Judgment date and amount.
- Claimant name (the company that sued).
- Address used on the claim.
These details decide whether the priority is paying quickly, applying to set aside, or challenging enforcement.
Likely causes in UK cases
Missed claim paperwork
The most common cause is a claim form going to an old address. If the court papers are not received, the court can enter judgment by default. This is especially common after a house move where post forwarding has ended, or where the V5C logbook, bank, or utility accounts were not updated.
Debt sold on repeatedly
Debts are often sold to a debt purchaser. Letters may look unfamiliar, and people ignore them thinking it is a scam. Then a claim arrives and is missed or not taken seriously.
Disputed services or charges
CCJs sometimes come from disputes: end-of-contract fees, early termination charges, damaged-return claims, or parking charges. If the dispute was handled informally and then went quiet, the court claim can arrive months later.
Payment plan breaks down
Where a payment plan was agreed and then missed, some creditors move quickly to court. The judgment may be for the full balance, not the instalment amount that had been discussed.
Step-by-step fixes
Confirm it exists
Check credit files with the main agencies and note the exact judgment details. If a letter mentions a claim number, keep the envelope and letter together. If enforcement is threatened, treat it as time-sensitive.
Work out the type
Two routes are common:
- Pay and mark as satisfied: suitable where the debt is accepted and the paperwork was received.
- Apply to set aside: suitable where the claim was not received, or there is a real defence.
A key UK rule: if the full judgment is paid within one calendar month of the judgment date, it can usually be removed from the public register (it should not remain on the credit file). After one month, it can be marked “satisfied” but usually stays visible for six years.
Check the one-month window
If the judgment date is recent, paying in full quickly can be the cleanest outcome. Ask the claimant for a payment reference and written confirmation that the payment clears the judgment in full. Keep proof (bank screenshot, receipt, email).
Ask for the claim address
If the address used was wrong, that often supports a set-aside application. Evidence that typically helps includes:
- Tenancy agreement or completion statement showing move date.
- Council tax bill for the correct period.
- Utility bill showing the new address.
- Royal Mail redirection confirmation (if used).
Request the paperwork
Ask the claimant (or their solicitors) for copies of the claim form, particulars of claim, and any contract or statements relied on. This clarifies whether the debt is accurate and whether there is a defence.
Decide on set aside
Set aside is usually considered where:
- The claim was not received (wrong address) and action is taken promptly after finding out.
- There is a genuine defence (for example, the amount is wrong, the contract was ended correctly, or the claimant is not the correct party).
Set aside is not a quick “credit fix”. Courts usually expect a clear reason and supporting evidence. If granted, the judgment is removed and the claim is reopened, meaning the dispute still has to be dealt with.
Manage enforcement risk
If enforcement is mentioned, check what stage it is at. A CCJ can lead to enforcement methods such as:
- Warrant of control (enforcement agents/bailiffs).
- Attachment of earnings (deductions from wages).
- Charging order (secured against property in some cases).
If a bailiff-style letter arrives, read it carefully and confirm whether it is a court enforcement agent or just a debt collector. For practical differences and what can and cannot be done at the door, see Bailiffs — your rights.
Offer affordable instalments
If paying in full is not possible and set aside is not appropriate, instalments can often be agreed. Where the claimant refuses, an application to vary the judgment to affordable payments may be possible. Keep a simple income-and-expenditure summary ready (rent/mortgage, council tax, energy, travel, childcare, food, other debts).
What happens if it’s ignored
Credit impact persists
A CCJ usually stays on credit files for six years. Even when satisfied, many lenders treat it as a major risk marker, especially in the first couple of years. Tenancy referencing can also be affected.
Costs can rise
Ignoring letters often leads to extra court and enforcement fees. The original debt can be much smaller than the final amount once enforcement starts.
Enforcement becomes disruptive
Common real-world outcomes include repeated letters, visits from enforcement agents, wage deductions, or funds being frozen in a bank account in some situations. The earlier the response, the more options tend to be available.
When to escalate quickly
Act fast on enforcement
Escalate if any of these apply:
- A notice of enforcement has been issued.
- An attachment of earnings order is threatened or received.
- A charging order application is mentioned.
- The judgment is for a debt that is clearly not yours (possible identity issue).
Build a simple evidence pack
Courts and creditors respond better to clear, dated evidence. Useful items include:
- Timeline: when the account started, when it ended, when you moved, when you found out about the CCJ.
- Proof of address history (council tax, tenancy, completion, utility bills).
- Copies of letters/emails and screenshots of online accounts.
- Bank proof of any payments already made.
Use trusted support
For official processes and forms, use GOV.UK guidance. For free, independent help with debt options and dealing with creditors, use Citizens Advice.
FAQ
Find out if it’s real
Check all three credit reference agencies and match the claim number, date, and claimant. If a letter looks suspicious, contact the court using details found independently (not just the letter).
Remove it by paying?
Paying in full within one calendar month of the judgment date can usually remove it from the register. After that, payment normally marks it as “satisfied” but it usually remains visible for six years.
Set aside for old address?
Often yes, if the claim went to an address where you did not live and action is taken promptly after discovering the judgment. Proof of move dates and address history is usually needed.
Stop bailiffs immediately?
Sometimes enforcement can be paused depending on the stage and what application is made, but it is not automatic. Get the exact enforcement document and dates, then act quickly.
Pay the claimant or the court?
Most CCJs are paid to the claimant (or their solicitors), not the court. Always get written confirmation that the payment clears the judgment in full and keep proof.
Before you move on
Write down the claim number, judgment date, amount, and the address used, then decide whether the priority is (a) paying within the one-month window, (b) preparing a set-aside application with address evidence, or (c) agreeing affordable instalments to prevent enforcement.
If you felt pushed to act quickly or told there was no time, that’s often a sign the process wasn’t handled properly.
Get help with the next step
If the paperwork is unclear or enforcement is being threatened, use the UKFixGuide contact page to outline what has happened and what documents you have.
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