Receiving a CCJ (County Court Judgment) can have severe consequences if it remains on your credit record. It can affect your ability to obtain credit, such as a mortgage or mobile phone contract, and may even jeopardise your job, depending on your profession. But are you stuck with it, or is it possible to get the CCJ removed?
Need to Remove a CCJ? Get Free Expert Advice Today!
Are you looking to remove a CCJ? We highly recommend CCJ Removal Services, a trusted not-for-profit legal advice agency specialising in CCJ removal.
Why Choose CCJ Removal Services?
- Specialised Expertise: They focus solely on CCJ removal, providing tailored advice and support every step of the way.
- Proven Success: Hundreds of clients have successfully removed their CCJs with their guidance.
- No-Obligation Case Assessment: Get a FREE 15-minute Case Assessment to discuss your unique situation and see if your CCJ can be removed.
Transparent and Affordable
While CCJ Removal Services isn’t a law firm regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, they offer a fantastic service. If they can help, they’ll clearly outline the process and provide transparent, affordable fixed fees.
Take Action Now!
Take the first step towards a CCJ-free future—call CCJ Removal Services now on 0161 711 1455 for your free assessment.
Prefer a callback? Simply complete the form below, and they’ll be in touch shortly.
*Transparency Notice: We recommend CCJ Removal Services because we genuinely believe in their ability to help you. While we do receive a payment for this recommendation, it doesn’t influence our decision, nor does it affect the quality or cost of the services provided. We’re here to help you make the best choice for your needs.*
Is CCJ Removal Possible?
Not all CCJs can be removed from a credit report. CCJ removal is only possible in certain circumstances. If you knew about the claim and ignored it, you’re probably stuck with the CCJ. That’s the purpose of credit reports – to let lenders know whether someone takes their financial obligations seriously.
But if you were unaware of the claim, it may well be possible to get the CCJ removed. Below, I outline three methods to remove a CCJ from your credit report. The best option for you will depend on your unique circumstances.
1. Paying within a month will remove the CCJ from your credit report
Credit reference agencies, such as Experian, obtain information from the Registry Trust, who keep a register of all County Court Judgments. The courts inform the Registry Trust every time a CCJ is issued. However, if the CCJ is paid within a month, it will be removed from the Register.
If you admit to owing the money and the judgment is less than a month old, paying within a month is the best option. When you pay, the claimant should inform the court. The court then updates the Registry Trust, which removes the CCJ from the Register. The Registry Trust, in turn, will notify all the credit reference agencies who remove it from your credit report. This process can sometimes take about seven days.
If the claimant doesn’t tell the court you’ve paid, you must inform the court yourself. The best way to do this is by applying for a Certificate of Satisfaction or Cancellation using form N443. You must provide evidence of payment, such as a receipt from the claimant or a copy of your bank statement.
The court will ask the claimant to confirm you’ve paid. If the claimant acknowledges that you’ve settled the debt or doesn’t reply, the court will accept that you’ve paid in full and update the Registry Trust. The Registry Trust will then remove the CCJ from the Register.
Should you pay the CCJ if you dispute it?
It may still be better to pay the full amount ordered by the court, even if you dispute the CCJ, particularly if it’s only for a small amount (such as a private parking charge). That’s because the consequences of having the CCJ on your credit record may far outweigh the cost of paying the CCJ. If you do pay it, let the claimant know that you’re only paying it to get rid of the CCJ from your credit record. You may even want to consider taking action to claim the money back from them once the CCJ has been removed.
2. CCJ Removal happens automatically after six years
After six years, the CCJ will be removed automatically from your credit record without you having to do anything. Even if you don’t pay it, the CCJ will disappear from the Register.
However, in some circumstances, the claimant can still enforce the CCJ, which means that if you haven’t paid the amount of the CCJ, the claimant can still take action to recover it. For example, they could instruct bailiffs or apply for an order against your bank. Nevertheless, this enforcement action won’t impact your credit record, provided the CCJ is over six years old.
If your CCJ is already quite old, waiting for the six years to expire may be the best option. However, if it’s more recent, can you afford to wait so many years with a poor credit rating? If not, you will need to apply to have the CCJ set aside.
3. The CCJ will be removed if the court sets it aside
If the CCJ is a default judgment, then the court can set it aside if there are valid reasons, such as if you didn’t receive the claim form.
What is a default judgment?
A default judgment is a judgment entered by the court when a defendant fails to acknowledge a claim or present a defence.
Contact the court that issued the CCJ to find out whether it is a default judgment. Ask them to email you a copy.
How do you apply to the court to set aside a default judgment?
You must complete form N244 and send it to the court that issued the default judgment. The current version of that form is available from the government website.
To learn more about how to complete each section, read this article about completing Form N244 when applying to set aside a default judgment.
To learn more about the process, read our step-by-step guide to getting a CCJ set aside.
What fees will you have to pay?
You will need to pay a court fee when you make your application.
To find out the court fee amount, check out this article, which explains the fee and whether you can get help paying it.
If your application to set aside the judgment is successful, the court will probably order the claimant to reimburse you for the court fee.
When the court must set aside the CCJ
If the claimant didn’t follow the procedural rules, the court must set aside the judgment. This is the mandatory ground because it doesn’t require the court to exercise discretion.
The mandatory ground commonly applies when the claimant sent the court papers to the wrong address.
However, the mandatory ground may also apply if, before the date of the judgment:
- You filed an acknowledgement of service or defence before the expiry of the time limit
- You paid the whole amount claimed
- You admitted owing the amount claimed and requested time to pay
When the court may set aside the CCJ
If the claimant followed the procedural rules correctly, the judgment is valid. However, the court still has the discretion to set aside the judgment if
- you have a real prospect of successfully defending the claim or
- there is some other good reason why the court should set aside the judgment.
This is known as the discretionary ground.
If the court documents were sent to a previous address, the court usually views that as a good reason to set aside the judgment.
Sometimes, a hearing is necessary before the court sets aside the CCJ. However, this shouldn’t be necessary if the claimant consents to the judgment being set aside.
What evidence do you need?
You must provide evidence showing why the CCJ should be set aside. Typically, this includes proof that your address has changed, such as an expired tenancy agreement or Land Registry entries. You may also need to show copies of correspondence you had with the claimant, particularly if you can show that you notified them of a change of address. If you intend to defend the underlying claim, you will need evidence to show the basis for your defence.
To learn more about the types of documents you should provide, read this article: What Evidence Do You Need to Remove a CCJ? A Complete Guide
Can the judgment be set aside if you’ve paid it?
Defendants may sometimes be reluctant to pay a CCJ because they think it’s an admission that the CCJ is valid. However, paying a CCJ is not a barrier to the court setting it aside.
Although paying the CCJ may make it more difficult to persuade the court that you have a defence, that is only one of the grounds to have it set aside. If you’re concerned about how it will affect a judge’s view of your case, you should make clear that you are paying without admission of liability.
In many cases, paying the full amount of the judgment may be the best course of action because:
- it will stop any enforcement action and the increasing costs associated with that
- the CCJ will be marked as satisfied on your credit report, which is slightly better than an unsatisfied CCJ
- the claimant may be more likely to consent to judgment being set aside
There may be good reasons not to pay the CCJ, such as if you deny the claim and want the opportunity to defend it. However, you shouldn’t worry that paying the claimant will prevent you from having the judgment set aside.
Act promptly
When exercising its discretion to set aside a CCJ, the court must consider whether or not you made the application promptly. Therefore, taking action as soon as you know about the CCJ is essential. That will give you the best chance of the CCJ being set aside.
Updating the Registry Trust
Once the CCJ has been set aside, the court should automatically update the Registry Trust, who in turn update the credit reference agencies. Once this has happened, the CCJ will be completely removed from your credit file.
FAQs about CCJ Removal
What is a CCJ?
A CCJ, or County Court Judgment, is a court order issued if you fail to pay a sum of money claimed by a claimant.
How does a CCJ affect my credit score?
A CCJ will significantly lower your credit score, which may prevent you from getting a mortgage or obtaining other credit. Read more.
Can I get a CCJ removed?
Yes, it is possible to remove a CCJ from your credit report under certain circumstances, such as paying it within a month or applying to have it set aside. It will automatically disappear after six years.
Will removing a CCJ improve my credit score?
Yes. Removing the CCJ will significantly improve your credit score, making it easier to obtain credit, such as a mortgage.
Can I remove a CCJ by paying it?
If you pay the full amount within a month, the CCJ will be removed from the Register. After one month, it will be marked as satisfied but remain on your credit report for six years.
Do CCJs expire?
A CCJ doesn’t expire, but after six years, it will be removed from your credit file and will no longer affect your credit score. However, the creditor can still enforce it.
What is a default judgment?
A default judgment is issued if you fail to respond to a court claim. You can apply to have it set aside if you have a valid reason.
How do I apply to have a CCJ set aside?
You must complete Form N244 and submit it to the court that issued the judgment. Valid reasons for setting aside include not receiving the claim or having a real prospect of successfully defending the claim. For help, read our comprehensive guide to completing Form N244.
How long does it take to remove a CCJ after it’s been set aside?
Once a CCJ is set aside, the Registry Trust will update the credit reference agencies, which can take a few days to reflect the change on your credit report.
To find the answers to more CCJ removal questions, take a look at our FAQ section: How to Remove a CCJ: All Your Questions Answered.
Andrew Crisp is the Principal Solicitor at Mason Bullock Solicitors, where he specialises in employment law and dispute resolution. With over two decades of legal experience, Andrew has built a reputation for his expertise in advising employees on settlement agreements and helping clients navigate complex litigation processes, including the removal of County Court Judgments (CCJs).