County Court Judgments (CCJs): A Complete Guide

Setfords Law Published: 12 August 2026, Last reviewed: 12 August 2026, Read time: 12 minutes

A County Court Judgment, or CCJ, is a formal court order made against you when someone takes you to the county court over an unpaid debt and you either don’t respond in time or the court decides against you. This guide covers what a CCJ is, how to get one removed from your credit file, and how to dispute or set one aside if you don’t think it’s fair.

Key takeaways

• A CCJ is issued when you don’t pay a debt and either don’t respond to a court claim or lose the case.
• It stays on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines for 6 years, whether or not you pay it.
• Paying in full within 1 month can get a CCJ removed entirely. Paying later marks it “satisfied,” but it still stays on record for 6 years.
• You can check whether you have a CCJ through the official register at trustonline.org.uk.
• If you didn’t know about the claim or have a defence, you may be able to apply to have the judgment set aside.

Once made, a CCJ is entered on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, a public record maintained by the Registry Trust. Anyone, including future landlords or lenders running checks, can search it. Paying a CCJ doesn’t remove it from the register straight away. Settle it in full within 1 month of the judgment and you can apply to have it removed entirely. Pay later, and it stays on record, marked “satisfied” rather than removed.

If you don’t think the CCJ is fair, for example because you never received the original claim or you have a defence, you may be able to apply to have it disputed or set aside instead, which is covered further down this guide.

How a CCJ happens

A CCJ is the end point of a process that usually starts with an unpaid bill or debt.

1. A claim is issued against you. The person or company you owe money to issues a money claim through the county court, often using the online Money Claim Online service for straightforward debts, and you’re sent a claim form setting out what’s owed.

1. You have 14 days to respond. From the date you’re served with the claim form, you can pay the full amount, admit the debt and propose a payment plan, or file a defence if you dispute it. Filing an acknowledgment of service instead extends your time to file a defence to 28 days from service.

1. No response means default judgment. If you don’t respond at all, the claimant can ask the court for default judgment. This is issued without a hearing, based only on the fact that you didn’t reply in time, and it results in a CCJ.

1. If you defend it, the court decides. If you file a defence, the case proceeds through the usual court process and may end up at a hearing. If the court finds in the claimant’s favour, a judgment is entered against you, and this also results in a CCJ.

What is the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines? It’s the official public record of CCJs and certain other court orders in England and Wales, maintained by the Registry Trust. Anyone can search it, which is why a CCJ can affect more than just your credit file.

Key figures

14 days to respond to a claim form · 6 years on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines · 1 month to pay in full and apply for removal · CPR Part 12 (default judgment) · CPR Part 13 (setting aside)

Part 12 of the Civil Procedure Rules sets out how and when a default judgment can be entered where a defendant hasn’t responded to a claim. Part 13 sets out the grounds and process for applying to have a default judgment set aside.

(These are the general rules under the Civil Procedure Rules, not fixed outcomes for every case. Confirm the current court fees and how the rules apply to your specific situation with your solicitor.)

How long does a CCJ last?

A CCJ stays on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines for 6 years from the date the judgment was made. This is fixed and doesn’t change based on when you pay, though whether you pay within 1 month does affect whether the entry can be removed early rather than simply marked as settled.

After 6 years, the CCJ is automatically removed from the register and drops off your credit file, whether or not it was ever paid.

How to check if you have a CCJ

You can check whether you have a CCJ in a few ways:

• Search the official register. The Registry Trust runs the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines at trustonline.org.uk. A basic online search costs £10 and covers the last 6 years.
• Check your credit report. Any CCJ registered against you will appear on your file with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion, usually alongside a note of whether it’s satisfied.
• Look out for court correspondence. If you’ve moved recently or missed post, it’s worth checking directly rather than assuming you’d have been notified.

If you find a CCJ you didn’t know about, for example because a claim was sent to an old address, you may be able to apply to the court to have it set aside. See the disputing section below.

How to get a CCJ removed from your credit file

What removing a CCJ involves depends on timing and whether the debt was genuinely owed.

• Paying within 1 month: full removal. If you pay the full amount within 1 month of the judgment date, you can apply to the court for a certificate of cancellation. Once granted, the CCJ is removed from the register entirely, rather than simply marked as paid, and this should also clear from your credit file.
• Paying after 1 month: marked “satisfied,” not removed. If you pay after the 1-month window, the CCJ isn’t removed. Instead, it’s updated to show as “satisfied” once the Registry Trust is notified of payment. It still remains on the register, and on your credit file, for the full 6 years from the original judgment date. Satisfied is not the same as removed.
• If the debt wasn’t owed, or the CCJ was made in error. You can query it directly with the court, and in some cases apply to have the judgment set aside entirely rather than simply marked satisfied. This overlaps with disputing a CCJ, covered next.
• Not paying at all. If a CCJ is left unpaid, it remains on record as “unsatisfied” for the full 6 years, and the creditor may take further steps to recover the debt, such as instructing enforcement agents, applying for a charging order over your property, or seeking an attachment of earnings order.

How to dispute or set aside a CCJ

If you believe a CCJ shouldn’t have been made against you, you may be able to apply to have it set aside. This is different from paying it off. Setting aside effectively cancels the judgment and reopens the case.

Grounds for setting aside a default judgment generally include: you never received the claim form, for example it was sent to an old or incorrect address; there was a procedural error in how the claim was issued or served; or you have a defence to the claim with a real prospect of success, alongside a good reason for not responding in time.

How to apply. You apply to set aside a default judgment using form N244, along with a witness statement explaining why the judgment should be set aside and what your defence is. The court fee depends on whether the application needs a hearing: £321 if it’s made on notice (with a hearing), or £126 if it’s made without notice or by consent. If you’re on a low income or have limited savings, you may be able to pay a reduced fee or nothing at all through the government’s Help with Fees service. There’s no fixed deadline in the same way as the 14-day response window, but the court expects you to apply promptly once you become aware of the judgment.

What happens next. The application is usually decided at a short hearing. If successful, the CCJ is set aside and the case typically proceeds as if the default judgment had never been made, meaning you’ll have the chance to defend the claim properly. If the application is refused, the CCJ stands and remains on the register on the usual terms.

Appealing a CCJ made after a hearing

Setting aside applies to default judgments, made because you didn’t respond. If a CCJ was made after a full hearing where you did take part, and you disagree with the outcome, the route is different: you’d need to appeal the decision rather than apply to set it aside.

Appeals against county court decisions are time-limited, usually within 21 days of the decision unless the court specifies otherwise, and you generally need to show the judge made a legal or procedural error, not simply that you disagree with the outcome. Given the strict deadlines involved, it’s worth getting advice as soon as possible if you’re considering this route.

What slows things down

Waiting too long to act. Both setting aside a default judgment and appealing a hearing judgment expect prompt action, so delay can weaken an otherwise strong case.

Missing paperwork. Applications to set aside a judgment need a witness statement setting out the defence in detail, and gaps here slow the court’s decision.

Assuming payment alone resolves things. Paying after the 1-month window doesn’t remove a CCJ, and mistakenly believing it will can mean missing the window for other options.

What helps

Check the register as soon as you suspect a CCJ. Acting quickly widens your options, particularly the 1-month window for removal.

Keep hold of anything showing you didn’t receive the claim. Proof of an old address, missed post, or a change of circumstances can support a set-aside application.

Get advice before assuming your only option is to pay. If you have a genuine defence, disputing the judgment may be a better route than settling it.

What happens next depends on your specific circumstances, including how the CCJ arose and how much time has passed. Speak to our debt recovery team for a confidential, no-obligation conversation about your options.

Common mistakes

1. Ignoring the claim form. Not responding within 14 days is what leads to most CCJs. Even a short response buys you time and options.

1. Assuming payment removes the CCJ automatically. Paying after 1 month marks it satisfied, it doesn’t remove it. You’ll need to apply separately for removal if you paid within the 1-month window.

1. Not checking the register after moving house. Claims sent to an old address can result in a default judgment you never see coming.

1. Waiting too long to challenge a judgment. Applications to set aside a default judgment, or appeals against a judgment made at a hearing, should be made promptly once you become aware of it.

1. Confusing setting aside with disputing the amount owed. If you agree you owe money but disagree with the amount, that’s usually a negotiation with the creditor, not a set-aside application.

When to speak to a solicitor

Not every CCJ needs legal advice, but understanding your position early makes a real difference. This is useful whether or not you go on to instruct Setfords.

Speak to a solicitor if:

• You’ve found a CCJ you didn’t know about.
• You believe the debt isn’t yours, or the amount is wrong.
• You want to apply to set aside a default judgment.
• You’ve paid within 1 month and need help applying for a certificate of cancellation.
• You’re considering an appeal against a judgment made at a hearing.
• A creditor is threatening further enforcement action and you’re unsure of your options.

What to bring to your first conversation

Having the right information ready makes your first conversation with a solicitor far more useful. Gather together:

• Any claim form, judgment notice, or court correspondence you’ve received.
• Proof of payment, if you’ve already paid all or part of the debt.
• Evidence of your address history, if you think the claim went to the wrong address.
• Any correspondence with the creditor about the original debt.

FAQs

Can I get a mortgage with a CCJ?

It’s harder, but not always impossible. Some lenders will consider applicants with a satisfied CCJ, particularly if it’s old or for a small amount, though you may face higher rates or need a specialist lender.

Does a CCJ affect my partner or family?

A CCJ is recorded against the individual named on the judgment, not their partner or family members, unless they were also named as a defendant in the claim.

What is the difference between a CCJ being “satisfied” and “removed”?

“Satisfied” means the debt has been paid, but the CCJ still shows on the register and your credit file until the 6 years are up. “Removed” means the entry has been taken off the register entirely, which only happens through early payment within 1 month, a successful certificate of cancellation application, or a successful set-aside application.

Can a CCJ be removed before 6 years without paying?

Generally not through payment alone. The main route to early removal without payment is applying to set aside the judgment itself, for example if you weren’t properly notified of the original claim.

What happens if my application to set aside a CCJ is refused?

If the court refuses your application, the CCJ stands and remains on the register on the usual terms. Depending on the circumstances, you may still have other options, such as appealing the refusal or negotiating payment terms directly with the creditor.

About the author:

This article is general information about County Court Judgments in England and Wales and is not legal advice. The law and timescales can change, and every situation is different, so please speak to a qualified solicitor about your circumstances.