What happens if I get a CCJ?

For people who have been issued a county court judgment for a debt.

Applies to: England, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

A county court judgment (CCJ) means a court has formally decided you owe money, usually after you didn't respond to a claim. It stays on record for 6 years unless you pay in full within a month.

If you owe it but can't afford it, ask to pay in instalments or change the terms.
If you don't owe it, or never got the original claim, you can apply to cancel it.
Don't ignore it; you could be taken back to court.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

On record 6 years
Pay within a month to avoid
Can apply to cancel

Key deadline

If you pay the full amount within one month of the judgment, you can have it removed from the register completely. If you pay later, it stays on the register for 6 years, marked as paid.

What to do if you owe the money

Read the judgment. It tells you how much to pay, who to pay and by when.
Pay the person or business you owe, or their solicitor. Do not pay the court.
Pay by bank transfer, cheque or postal order. Never send cash by post.
Keep a record of every payment.

If you cannot afford the terms, fill in form N245 to ask the court to change them. You will need to give details of your income and spending. You may have to pay a court fee. If your offer is rejected, the court decides how much you pay.

What to do if you do not owe the money

You can ask the court to cancel the judgment if:

you do not owe the money, or
you never got the original court claim

Steps:

Fill in application notice N244.
Pay the court fee of £321.
Send it to the court.
Go to the hearing. It is held in private. If you do not go, your application will be refused and you will have to pay the judgment.

How a CCJ affects your credit rating

A CCJ goes on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines. Lenders check this register, so a CCJ can make it harder to borrow.

What you do	What happens to the record
Pay in full within one month	Removed from the register
Pay in full after one month	Stays for 6 years, marked as satisfied (paid)
Do not pay	Stays for 6 years, and the creditor can take more action

To get a judgment marked as paid, ask the court for a certificate of satisfaction using form N443. It costs £19. You need proof of payment from the creditor. If you cannot get it, bank statements can help, but the court will check with the creditor.

A search of the register costs between £6 and £10. If something on it is wrong, contact the court that made the judgment.

If you do not pay

The creditor can ask the court to enforce the judgment. They may use bailiffs. You will usually get 7 days' notice before a bailiff visits.

Other help

If you have another judgment against you and your total debts are under £5,000, you might be able to get an Administration Order (form N92). You then make one payment to the court.
Breathing Space can pause action by creditors for up to 60 days while you get debt advice.
Free help is available from Citizens Advice and other free debt advice services.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

This process is for courts in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own court systems and rules.

Related guides

Where this comes from

County court judgments for debt (GOV.UK)
Pay the judgment if you do owe the money (GOV.UK)
Cancel the judgment (GOV.UK)
CCJs and your credit rating (GOV.UK)

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Pay or change a CCJ

Common questions

How do I get a CCJ marked as paid?

Send form N443 to the court with a £19 fee to get a certificate of satisfaction. The CCJ then shows as paid but stays on the register for 6 years.

How can I check if I have a CCJ?

Search the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, which costs between £6 and £10 a search.

How much does it cost to set aside a CCJ?

Fill in application notice N244 and you may have to pay a court fee of £321. You must then go to a private hearing at the court.

Can bailiffs come if I do not pay a CCJ?

Yes, the creditor can apply to the court for a warrant so bailiffs can collect the money. You will be given 7 days to pay before they visit.

Official sources

1.County court judgments for debtwww.gov.uk/county-court-judgments-ccj-for-debt
2.CCJs and your credit ratingwww.gov.uk/county-court-judgments-ccj-for-debt/ccjs-and-your-credit-rating
3.Cancel the judgmentwww.gov.uk/county-court-judgments-ccj-for-debt/cancel-the-judgment
4.Pay the judgment if you do owe the moneywww.gov.uk/county-court-judgments-ccj-for-debt/pay-the-judgment-if-you-do-owe-the-money

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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