- Where it applies
- England and Wales (Scotland uses decrees)
- Time to respond
- 14 days from the claim form
- Pay within one month
- The CCJ can be removed from the register
- Credit file
- Usually six years
On this page
What is a CCJ?
A county court judgment (CCJ) is a court order that says you owe money and must repay it. It is recorded on the public Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines and appears on your credit file. Creditors usually ask for one after you have ignored letters, or after a debt claim you did not defend.
How it happens
- Letter before claim. For most debts, the creditor sends a letter, and you usually have 30 days to respond before court action starts.
- Claim form. The court sends a claim form and a response pack. You have 14 days to respond. If you file an acknowledgement of service, you get a further 14 days, making 28, to file a defence.
- Judgment. If you do not respond, or admit the claim, the court can enter judgment. If you disagree, the court may hold a hearing.
Never ignore a claim form. Respond by the deadline, even if you cannot pay.
Talk to a free adviser first
An adviser can look at your whole budget, deal with creditors for you and explain which option suits you. Get free debt advice.
How to respond to a claim
- You agree and can pay: admit the claim and pay in full or offer to pay by instalments.
- You agree but need time: admit the claim and propose a realistic payment plan based on your budget.
- You disagree: file a defence, for example if the debt is wrong, already paid, not yours or time-barred.
Free advice from StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice can help you do this.
What a CCJ does to your credit
A CCJ is recorded for six years. If you pay it in full within one month of the judgment date, you can ask for it to be removed from the register. After that, you can ask for it to be marked as satisfied once you have paid, but it still stays for six years. See our guide to credit scores.
If you do not pay
The creditor can ask the court to enforce the judgment. Options include:
- Enforcement agents (bailiffs) taking control of goods. See our bailiffs advice.
- An attachment of earnings order, which deducts money from your wages.
- A third-party debt order, which freezes money in your bank account.
- A charging order on property you own.
If you cannot afford the payments, or the CCJ is wrong
- Vary the payments: you can apply to the court to change the amount or timing if your circumstances change.
- Set aside: you can ask the court to cancel the judgment, for example if you never received the claim papers or you have a good defence. Apply quickly, as there is a court fee and you will usually need to attend a hearing.
If a CCJ is one of many debts, a debt relief order, IVA or bankruptcy can deal with it. Breathing Space can pause enforcement while you get advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a CCJ removed?
If you pay in full within one month of the judgment, you can ask for it to be removed. After that it stays for six years, marked satisfied once paid, unless the court sets it aside.
Will a CCJ stop me getting a mortgage?
It can make it harder, especially if unpaid. A satisfied CCJ that is a few years old is less of a problem, but some lenders will decline.
Can I be jailed for a CCJ?
No. You cannot be jailed for failing to pay a CCJ for an ordinary debt.
Is a CCJ the same in Scotland?
No. Scotland uses decrees and different enforcement. Get Scottish advice.
What if the debt is more than six years old?
It may be time-barred, which can be a defence in England and Wales, but you have to raise it. Get advice before you pay or admit anything.
This guide gives general information and is not personal advice. Rules and limits change, so check with a free adviser before acting. Last reviewed 11 November 2026.