What Is a CCJ? County Court Judgments Explained
How County Court Judgments work, why they matter, and how to use them to recover unpaid invoices in the UK.
What Is a County Court Judgment (CCJ)?
A County Court Judgment is a court order that can be issued against someone who fails to repay money they owe. In the context of unpaid invoices, a CCJ formally orders your client to pay the outstanding debt. It is issued by the county court in England and Wales (Scotland has a separate system of decrees).
A CCJ is not a punishment — it's an official court order confirming that the money is owed and must be paid. But it has serious consequences for the debtor, which is why the threat of a CCJ often prompts payment before one is ever issued.
How a CCJ Is Issued
You can't simply apply for a CCJ out of the blue. The process follows a set path:
- 1. You send a Letter Before Action — giving the debtor 30 days to pay or dispute the debt. See our LBA guide.
- 2. You file a court claim — through Money Claims Online (MCOL) or by paper form at the county court.
- 3. The defendant has 14 days to respond — they can admit the claim, defend it, or ignore it.
- 4. If the defendant doesn't respond or admits the debt, you request a judgment — this is the CCJ.
- 5. If the defendant defends, the case goes to a hearing where a judge decides.
Impact on the Debtor's Credit Rating
This is the key reason CCJs are so effective at motivating payment. A CCJ is registered on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, which is checked by banks, lenders, landlords, and other credit-checking bodies.
Paid Within 30 Days
The CCJ is removed from the register entirely. No lasting impact on the debtor's credit rating.
Paid After 30 Days
The CCJ is marked as "satisfied" but remains on the register for 6 years. It will still appear on credit checks and may affect the debtor's ability to get loans, mortgages, or credit cards.
Not Paid
The CCJ stays on the register for 6 years as unsatisfied. This severely damages the debtor's credit rating and you can pursue enforcement action.
💡 For Businesses
A CCJ against a limited company is visible on credit reports that potential clients and suppliers check. Many businesses will prioritise paying a CCJ to protect their commercial reputation.
Enforcement Options After a CCJ
Winning a CCJ doesn't automatically mean you get paid. If the debtor still refuses to pay, you need to take enforcement action. Each method has its own application fee:
⚖️ Bailiff / Enforcement Agents
The most common enforcement method. For debts over £600, you can transfer the judgment to the High Court and use High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs), who have stronger powers than county court bailiffs.
Bailiffs visit the debtor and can seize goods to sell if payment isn't made.
⚖️ Attachment of Earnings
The court orders the debtor's employer to deduct money directly from their wages and send it to you. Only works if the debtor is an employee (not a company director taking dividends).
⚖️ Charging Order
Places a legal charge on the debtor's property (house, land, or other assets). You get paid when the property is sold. For large debts, you can apply for an "order for sale" to force the sale.
⚖️ Third-Party Debt Order
Freezes money in the debtor's bank account and transfers it to you. Effective if you know which bank the debtor uses, but the account needs to have sufficient funds when the order is made.
Can a CCJ Be Set Aside?
A debtor can apply to set aside (cancel) a CCJ, but only in limited circumstances:
- 🔹 They didn't receive the original claim documents (e.g. wrong address)
- 🔹 They have a genuine defence to the claim that they want to present
- 🔹 They applied promptly after learning about the judgment
If a CCJ is set aside, the case starts again from the beginning — the debt isn't cancelled, it just means the debtor gets a chance to defend. This is why having accurate contact details and a clear evidence trail is crucial.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a CCJ stay on someone's credit record?
A CCJ stays on the Register of Judgments for 6 years. If the debtor pays the full amount within 30 days, they can apply to have it removed entirely. If paid after 30 days, it remains on the register as "satisfied" for the full 6 years.
How do I apply for a CCJ against someone who owes me money?
File a claim through Money Claims Online or submit form N1 to your local county court. If the defendant doesn't respond within 14 days or doesn't defend, you can request a default judgment.
What if the debtor ignores the CCJ and still doesn't pay?
You can enforce the CCJ through bailiffs, an attachment of earnings order, a charging order against their property, or a third-party debt order to freeze their bank account.
Can a CCJ be set aside or cancelled?
A debtor can apply to have a CCJ set aside if they didn't receive the original claim or have a genuine defence. They must apply promptly. If set aside, the case restarts from the beginning — the debt is not cancelled.
Track Every Overdue Invoice with Experi
Experi logs your chase history, calculates statutory interest, and keeps all correspondence in one place — so if a debt escalates to a CCJ, you have everything documented.
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