County Court Judgment
(CCJ)
A court order issued when someone fails to repay money they owe. A CCJ stays on your credit record for 6 years and significantly affects your ability to get credit, mortgages, and some jobs. You can have a CCJ removed if you pay the full amount within one month of the judgment.
A CCJ is entered on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines and remains visible for six years, significantly damaging credit scores. If you pay the full amount within one month of the judgment date, you can apply to have the CCJ 'set aside' (cancelled) by submitting form N443 to the court with a £15 fee and proof of payment — the entry is then removed from the register. Paying after one month marks the CCJ as 'satisfied' but it remains on the register for the full six years. You can apply to set aside a default CCJ (one entered without your knowledge) on form N244 if you have a defence. If a creditor has obtained a CCJ fraudulently or against the wrong person, the court can order its removal. Enforcement of a CCJ by a bailiff or other method requires a further application to the court.