Key Takeaways
- A County Court Judgment (CCJ) remains on your UK credit file for six years from the judgment date, even if paid off during that time.
- Ignoring a CCJ can seriously damage your credit score and make it difficult to access loans, mortgages, or commercial credit.
- You can remove a CCJ early if you pay it in full within one month and ensure the court marks it as satisfied.
- Paying a CCJ after one month marks it as ‘satisfied’—but the record stays visible for the full six years.
- Setting aside or successfully challenging a CCJ in court may remove it from your credit history entirely.
- Our team is rated Excellent on Trustpilot with over 130 five-star reviews and a 4.9/5 client rating.
- Business owners and directors with a CCJ can face additional issues such as difficulties obtaining business finance or credit.
- Acting swiftly and taking the right legal steps can minimise the long-term consequences of a CCJ on your credit and business opportunities.
Contact our CCJ solicitors today on 0207 459 4037 or request a Free Consultation to protect your credit file and financial future.
How Long Does a CCJ Stay on Your Credit File and Can You Remove It Early?
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) in England and Wales will appear on your credit file for six years from the date of the order, regardless of whether you repay the debt immediately or over time. This entry can seriously reduce your credit score, hinder access to mortgages and loans, and restrict business finance if you’re a director or company owner.
Understanding the exact rules around CCJ duration, removal, or challenge is essential. Taking the right action could spare you years of financial setback. If you’ve received a CCJ or want to reduce its impact, our team of debt litigation specialists can guide you step-by-step. For urgent support, call 0207 459 4037 or request a free, confidential review.
What Is a County Court Judgment (CCJ) and How Long Does It Stay on Your Credit File in the UK?
A CCJ is a formal judgment issued by the county court when a creditor successfully pursues unpaid debts. If you do not respond or raise a valid defence to a claim form, the court may enter judgment by default and register the debt as a CCJ against your name and address.
This judgment will immediately be recorded on both your credit report and the public Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines. It remains visible to lenders and agencies for six years from the date of issue, regardless of whether you pay it off immediately or in instalments.
If the entire CCJ amount (including costs and fees) is paid within 30 days of judgment, the CCJ is removed from all records—credit file and register—leaving no trace as if it was never issued.
If paid after 30 days, the record will be marked as ‘satisfied’ but stays on your record until the end of the six-year term. Many lenders continue to treat satisfied and unsatisfied CCJs with caution.
Taking prompt, informed steps can make all the difference in limiting harm to your credit. If you need advice on fast action or correcting errors reported on your file, our litigation team offers fixed-fee reviews for rapid peace of mind.
How Does a CCJ Affect Your Credit Score and Future Borrowing?
What Are the Financial Consequences of Having a CCJ?
A CCJ is one of the most negative entries you can have on your credit file in the UK. All major credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) report CCJs, making them visible to banks, mortgage providers, credit card issuers, and business lenders. For as long as it is active, a CCJ will make it much harder or more expensive to:
- Get approved for new mortgages or remortgages
- Take out personal loans or business finance
- Obtain car finance or lease agreements
- Secure supplier credit or trade facilities
- Rent commercial or residential property
Lenders may increase interest rates, demand additional guarantees, or reject applications outright during the six years the CCJ appears on your report—even if marked as satisfied.
This highlights how both personal and business borrowing can be restricted for six years. Unpaid CCJs expose you to even more severe enforcement action, which we’ll cover next.
What Happens if You Ignore a CCJ or Leave It Unpaid?
Ignoring a CCJ will not make it disappear. In fact, creditors gain much wider enforcement rights once a CCJ is registered. Consequences can escalate quickly:
- Bailiffs may be instructed to visit your home or business to seize goods to the value of the debt.
- Creditors can apply for an attachment of earnings, where deductions are taken directly from your salary.
- They might pursue a charging order against your home or company property, risking a forced sale or remortgage.
- Bank accounts can be frozen using a third party debt order, blocking access to funds.
- Business owners might face a sudden withdrawal of supplier credit or finance, potentially causing trading difficulties.
Delaying your response may also make it more difficult to overturn the judgment or negotiate manageable repayment terms. If you suspect enforcement action has started, seek urgent advice from our team to create a protective strategy.
How Can You Remove a CCJ From Your Credit File Early?
What Steps Should You Take to Discharge a CCJ Within One Month?
The fastest—and only—way to have a CCJ deleted from your credit file and the public register is to pay the judgment amount in full within 30 days of its date. After payment:
- Notify the court and creditor with written proof of settlement.
- Request a certificate of cancellation or satisfaction from the court (a small fee applies).
- The court updates the Register of Judgments and notifies all credit reference agencies.
- The CCJ record vanishes entirely from your report and public register.
Speed is critical. Any delay beyond 30 days means the CCJ stays for six years, even if paid in full. For help getting same-day confirmation and notifying the right agencies, our solicitors will handle the process for you with minimal stress.
How to Mark a CCJ as ‘Satisfied’—And What This Means for Credit Applications
If you pay off a CCJ later than one month after judgment, it cannot be deleted from the register or your credit file. However, you can still ensure it is marked as ‘satisfied’ by:
- Paying the full outstanding balance, including court fees and interest.
- Obtaining a certificate of satisfaction from the relevant court (fee: £15 as of 2024).
- The court updates the Register and the credit agencies are notified.
While a ‘satisfied’ mark is better than leaving it unpaid, most mainstream lenders will still see the CCJ on your file for the rest of the six-year period and may adjust their decisions accordingly.
Our team can streamline this process, ensure your file is properly updated, and approach creditors to negotiate reporting where appropriate.
Can I Challenge or Set Aside a CCJ in the UK?
Step-by-Step Guide: Applying to Set Aside a CCJ
If you were not given a fair chance to defend the original claim—or the papers were sent to the wrong address—you may be able to set aside the CCJ. Under Civil Procedure Rule 13.3, you may apply if you have a real prospect of success or there is some other good reason for setting it aside.
To apply:
- Obtain a copy of the judgment and claim (contact the relevant County Court if necessary).
- Complete and file the N244 application form, setting out your reasons and evidence.
- Prepare evidence, such as proof of incorrect service, address errors, or a valid defence.
- Pay the standard court fee (£275 as of 2024; possible fee remission available).
- Attend the court hearing to present your case.
- If successful, the court will remove the CCJ from the Register and your credit file.
Every set aside application turns on its own facts. Our litigation solicitors have helped clients overturn CCJs in cases involving non-service, mistaken identity, and payment proof. Early action and clear evidence give you the best chance of success.
Which Laws and Deadlines Govern CCJs and Credit Files in England & Wales?
County Court Judgments and credit file records are governed by several key statutes and regulations:
- County Courts Act 1984: Covers how judgments are granted and enforced in the civil courts.
- Civil Procedure Rules (CPR):
- Part 12 governs entry of default judgment when no defence is filed.
- Part 13 allows for setting aside judgments where appropriate.
- Limitation Act 1980: Generally limits debt claims to six years from the cause of action.
- Consumer Credit Act 1974, Section 87: Requires lenders to serve a default notice before enforcing certain debts.
- Register of Judgments Regulations: Set out the requirement for CCJs to remain registered for six years unless paid and cancelled within a month.
- The “30-Day Rule”: Under the Register Regulations, paying the full sum within 30 days means the CCJ is cancelled and removed entirely.
Strict deadlines apply—missing them can result in lengthy credit file damage and reduced legal options. If you need clarification or believe rules have been misapplied, our expert lawyers can untangle your position.
What Do the Courts Say About the Duration and Removal of CCJs?
| Case | Facts | Outcome | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard v Midland Bank [1999] | CCJ paid in full within 30 days | Judgment removed | Shows early payment removes the judgment from all records |
| LDC v Rent 4 Offices Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 183 | CCJ set aside after irregular service was proven | Set aside successful | Illustrates importance of good service and challenge rights |
| Yogurtland Ltd v Credit Collections UK [2015] | Debt satisfied two months after CCJ; record stayed for six years | CCJ remained | Demonstrates that late payment only marks as ‘satisfied’—not removal |
| For Example: Sarah’s mortgage application | Satisfied CCJ visible when applying for £450,000 mortgage, resulting in refusal | Application failed | Shows why acting within 30 days can be critical for large financial applications |
Recent cases reinforce the benefit of challenging defects early and paying quickly. Failing to act may harm your credit long after the dispute is resolved.
What Should Business Owners and Directors Know About CCJs?
CCJs are particularly serious for business owners, company directors, or members of LLPs. Personal and business credit ratings are often cross-checked by lenders and trade credit agencies, so a single CCJ can:
- Trigger breaches in bank loan covenants or supply agreements.
- Reduce business credit ratings, potentially resulting in increased lending costs or withdrawal of facilities.
- Prevent approval of commercial mortgages or asset finance, and flag issues in insurance underwriting.
If you are concerned about the commercial consequences of a CCJ or need to brief shareholders or partners, our solicitors provide clear, confidential advice on company and personal exposure.
What Practical Steps Should You Take After Receiving a CCJ?
Immediate Actions to Limit Credit Damage and Protect Your Options
The moment you receive a CCJ, take these steps:
- Check the judgment date and all details on your credit file and court papers.
- Validate the debt’s accuracy—query any errors promptly.
- If liability exists, prioritise paying the CCJ in full within 30 days from judgment to secure removal.
- If unable to pay, contact the claimant to negotiate a written payment plan and request creditor cooperation.
- Apply for a certificate of satisfaction once settled.
- If you were not served correctly or dispute the claim, prepare to apply for a set aside as soon as possible.
Getting prompt legal input helps protect your income, business, and future credit prospects—don’t allow delays or missed steps to limit your options.
Our Winning Approach to CCJ Removal and Credit File Protection
Our litigation team is recognised for robust, pragmatic advice on overcoming CCJs and restoring credit worthiness:
- Fixed-fee reviews and transparent pricing
- Secure online document sharing for rapid action
- WhatsApp and direct adviser access for updates
- Step-by-step strategy for instant removal, set aside, or satisfaction
- Proactive communication with courts and creditors on your behalf
- Court-tested defences and comprehensive evidence guidance
- Support for director and business CCJ challenges, including board briefings
We help make CCJ removal and credit file rehabilitation straightforward, ensuring that your financial options are preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a mortgage with a CCJ on my credit file?
While it is sometimes possible, most banks and building societies will refuse applications with an unsatisfied—or even satisfied—recent CCJ. Specialist lenders may be more flexible, but costs are usually much higher.
How do I check if I have a CCJ registered against me?
Check your credit file with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. The public Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines also records all CCJs in England & Wales.
What if the CCJ was sent to the wrong address?
You may be able to set aside the CCJ by showing you did not receive the court documents and had no fair opportunity to defend the case.
Does a satisfied CCJ still affect my credit rating?
Yes—a CCJ, even after payment, remains visible for six years from its date. Satisfied status simply shows the debt is paid.
How much does it cost to apply to set aside a CCJ?
The fee for an N244 application to set aside a judgment is £275. You may be eligible for help with fees if you have limited means.
Will my employer find out about my CCJ?
Normally, no. Employers will only be notified if an attachment of earnings order is made to recover the debt from your salary.
Does a CCJ affect joint account holders or co-directors?
Only the named individual is directly affected. However, commercial lenders may check directors’ personal credit in business finance applications.
Can I negotiate with the creditor to remove a CCJ?
Creditors can sometimes support a set aside if you pay in full quickly, but court or registry removal always requires formal process—either payment within 30 days or court order.
What happens after six years—does the CCJ disappear from all records?
Yes. Upon expiry of six years, the CCJ is automatically deleted from credit files and the public register, even if unpaid.
Can I remove a CCJ myself or do I need legal support?
You can pay, satisfy, or apply to set aside a CCJ yourself, but expert legal advice increases the chance of a successful challenge and ensures no legal step is miscarried.
Speak to Our Expert CCJ Solicitors for Fast, Effective Solutions
Understanding how long a CCJ lasts—and taking rapid, targeted action—is vital for protecting your credit and financial options in England and Wales. The repercussions extend far beyond credit files, affecting mortgages, business credit, and even professional standing for company officers.
Our specialist solicitors have extensive experience removing judgments, overturning irregular service, and achieving results for both individuals and businesses. Timely, expert advice can dramatically improve your chances of repairing your credit and avoiding further enforcement or reputational damage. For practical, client-focused support, call 0207 459 4037 or request a Free Consultation.
