What a CCJ means and how to get one removed

A County Court Judgement (CCJ) is a court order telling you to pay money you owe. It's issued when a creditor takes you to court for an unpaid debt.

How does a CCJ happen?

Step 1: Claim form

You receive a claim form (N1) from the court. This is your warning — you have **14 days** to respond.

Step 2: Your options

Step 3: CCJ issued

If a CCJ is issued, you must pay as ordered. It stays on the **Register of Judgments** and your **credit file for 6 years**.

The 30-day rule

This is crucial: if you pay the **full CCJ amount within 30 days** of the judgement, you can apply to have it **completely removed** from the register and your credit file with a **certificate of cancellation**.

After 30 days, even if you pay in full, the CCJ stays on your record for 6 years (marked as "satisfied" but still visible).

How a CCJ affects you

If you already have a CCJ

Pay within 30 days

If the CCJ was issued recently, pay immediately and apply for a certificate of cancellation (form N443, fee £15).

Set aside the CCJ

If you didn't receive the claim form (it went to a wrong address), you can apply to **set aside** the CCJ. This cancels it. Use form N244.

Vary the payment terms

If you can't afford the ordered payments, apply to vary the terms using form **N245** (free). The court can reduce your payments.

Wait it out

After 6 years, the CCJ drops off the register and your credit file automatically.

Preventing a CCJ

The best time to act is when you receive the **claim form** (before the CCJ is issued):

A CCJ is serious but manageable. The key is acting quickly when you receive court papers.