Debt Solutions UK 2026 — DMPs, IVAs, DROs, Bankruptcy and Breathing SpaceHow to Get a CCJ Removed UK — Complete Guide
Can you get a CCJ removed from your credit file? How to set aside, pay off, or wait out a County Court Judgment and what it means for your credit.
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) seriously damages your credit. Here’s how to get one removed or minimise its impact.
Read more: See our Credit Scores guide for a complete overview of this topic.
What Is a CCJ?
How You Get One
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|
| 1 | You owe money and haven’t paid |
| 2 | Creditor takes you to court |
| 3 | Court sends claim form to you |
| 4 | You have 14 days to respond |
| 5 | If no response/defence, judgment issued |
| 6 | CCJ recorded on Register of Judgments |
Impact on Credit
| Effect | Details |
|---|
| Credit score | Drops significantly (100+ points) |
| Credit file | Visible for 6 years |
| Borrowing | Much harder, higher rates |
| Renting | Landlords may refuse |
| Jobs | Some employers check credit |
| Bank accounts | May be limited to basic accounts |
Ways to Remove a CCJ
Option 1: Pay Within 30 Days (Full Removal)
| If | You pay in full within 30 days of judgment |
|---|
| Result | CCJ removed from credit file entirely |
| Register | Removed from Register of Judgments |
| As if | It never happened |
| How | Pay creditor, get receipt, apply to court |
Steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Pay the full amount owed to creditor |
| 2 | Get proof of payment/receipt |
| 3 | Complete form N443 (request to cancel) |
| 4 | Submit to court with £15 fee |
| 5 | CCJ removed from Register and credit files |
Option 2: Set Aside the CCJ (If Wrongly Issued)
| Grounds | When It Applies |
|---|
| Never received claim | Sent to wrong address |
| Valid defence | You don’t owe the money |
| Already paid | Before CCJ was issued |
| Procedural errors | Court process flawed |
Steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Complete form N244 (application notice) |
| 2 | Pay court fee (£275, or less if on low income) |
| 3 | Explain grounds for setting aside |
| 4 | Attend hearing (usually) |
| 5 | If successful, CCJ set aside |
Option 3: Pay After 30 Days (Marked Satisfied)
| If | You pay after 30 days |
|---|
| Result | CCJ marked as ‘satisfied’ |
| Credit file | Still shows for 6 years |
| Better than | Unsatisfied CCJ |
| How | Pay creditor, get receipt, apply to register |
Steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Pay the full amount to creditor |
| 2 | Get certificate of satisfaction from creditor |
| 3 | Complete form N443 |
| 4 | Submit to court with £15 fee |
| 5 | Register updated to show ‘satisfied’ |
Option 4: Wait 6 Years (Automatic Removal)
| After | 6 years from judgment date |
|---|
| Happens | CCJ drops off register automatically |
| Credit file | Also removed |
| No action | Required from you |
What If You Can’t Afford to Pay?
Options
| Option | Details |
|---|
| Vary the judgment | Ask court to change payment terms |
| DMP | Debt Management Plan includes CCJ debt |
| IVA | Individual Voluntary Arrangement |
| DRO | Debt Relief Order (if you qualify) |
| Bankruptcy | Last resort |
Applying to Vary Payment Terms
| Form | N245 |
|---|
| Fee | None |
| What you’re asking | Different payment schedule |
| Need to show | Income and expenses |
Setting Aside a CCJ — Detailed Guide
Valid Grounds
| Ground | Example |
|---|
| Didn’t receive papers | Moved address, creditor used old address |
| Have a defence | Debt was already paid, wrong amount, not your debt |
| Good reason | Serious illness prevented response |
| Time limit | Usually within 14 days of finding out |
What You Need
| Document | Purpose |
|---|
| Form N244 | Application to set aside |
| Witness statement | Your explanation |
| Evidence | Proof of address, payment records, etc. |
| Court fee | £275 (reduced if on benefits) |
Fee Remission
| Circumstances | Fee Reduction |
|---|
| On benefits | Free |
| Very low income | Free or reduced |
| Form | EX160 (Help with Fees) |
At the Hearing
| What Happens | Details |
|---|
| Judge reviews | Your application and evidence |
| Creditor may attend | To oppose |
| Decision | Set aside or not |
| If successful | CCJ cancelled, original claim may continue |
Impact on Credit and Life
With Unsatisfied CCJ
| Area | Impact |
|---|
| Credit score | Severely damaged |
| Credit cards | Very difficult to get |
| Loans | High interest if approved |
| Mortgages | Most lenders refuse |
| Renting | Many landlords refuse |
| Bank accounts | May be restricted |
| Mobile contracts | May be refused |
With Satisfied CCJ
| Area | Impact |
|---|
| Credit score | Still damaged, less than unsatisfied |
| Borrowing | Easier than unsatisfied |
| Mortgages | Possible with specialist lenders |
| Shows | You dealt with the debt |
After CCJ Drops Off (6 Years)
| Impact | Details |
|---|
| Credit file | Clean (for this item) |
| Score | Can recover |
| Applications | Not disclosed to lenders |
| Fresh start | Effectively |
Getting a Mortgage with a CCJ
Factors Lenders Consider
| Factor | Better | Worse |
|---|
| Age of CCJ | Older (3+ years) | Recent |
| Satisfied | Yes | No |
| Amount | Small (<£500) | Large |
| Number | One | Multiple |
| Deposit | Large (15%+) | Small |
| Explanation | Good reason | Pattern |
Typical Requirements
| CCJ Status | Lender Type | Deposit Needed |
|---|
| Satisfied, 3+ years | Some high street | 10-15% |
| Satisfied, 1-3 years | Specialist | 15-20% |
| Unsatisfied | Very specialist | 25%+ |
| Multiple CCJs | Very limited options | 25-40% |
Enforcement If You Don’t Pay
What Creditors Can Do
| Method | What It Means |
|---|
| Bailiffs | Take goods to sell |
| Attachment of Earnings | Money taken from wages |
| Charging Order | Debt secured against your home |
| Order to Obtain Information | Must disclose finances to court |
| Third Party Debt Order | Freeze bank account |
Priority
| Action | Recommendation |
|---|
| If you can pay | Pay within 30 days for removal |
| If you can’t pay | Apply to vary (N245) |
| If CCJ was wrong | Apply to set aside (N244) |
| Getting enforcement threats | Get debt advice immediately |
Check If You Have a CCJ
How to Check
| Service | Details |
|---|
| Registry Trust | trustonline.org.uk |
| Cost | £4 online search |
| Credit file | Also shows CCJs |
| If not on file | May not have been registered |
Why You Might Not Know
| Reason | What Happened |
|---|
| Wrong address | Claim sent to old address |
| Ignored post | Thought it was junk |
| Didn’t understand | Didn’t realise consequences |
Summary: CCJ Removal Options
| Situation | Action | Outcome |
|---|
| Can pay within 30 days | Pay + Form N443 | Complete removal |
| CCJ was wrong | Set aside (N244) | Complete removal |
| Can pay after 30 days | Pay + N443 | Marked satisfied, stays 6 years |
| Can’t afford to pay | Vary terms (N245) or debt advice | Manageable payments |
| Do nothing | Wait 6 years | Automatic removal |
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Importance |
|---|
| 14 days | To respond to claim form |
| 30 days | To pay for full removal |
| 6 years | Auto drops off |
If you have a CCJ, get free debt advice from StepChange (stepchange.org) or Citizens Advice to understand your options.
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