There are three ways you may find out you have a County Court Judgement (CCJ):
- you get a letter from the court;
- the creditor tells you, asking for payment; or
- you see it on a credit report – possibly after you have been unexpectedly rejected for credit.
A CCJ is a decision by a judge that you (“the defendant”) should pay someone (“the claimant”) an amount of money. In mid 2022, there are about 230,000 CCJs in a quarter, so that would be nearly a million in a year.
A CCJ is not a criminal offence. You can’t get sent to prison for not being able to pay this money.
But if you ignore a CCJ, your creditor may send bailiffs round to your house or try to get money deducted from your wages. If you take action speedily, these can usually be avoided.
What you need to do now depends on whether you owe the money and if you can afford to pay it.
This article looks at the most common scenarios.
Contents
Do you know the details of the CCJ?
When you get a letter from the Court which says Judgment for Claimant at the top, you have a County Court Judgment (CCJ). Someone has taken you to court and won a case against you. If you didn’t reply to court papers, or you never received them, this letter will say Judgement for Claimant (in default).
Be careful – if the letter says Claim Form at the top, you don’t yet have a CCJ. Here a creditor is taking you to court trying to get a CCJ. If you do not do anything, you will get a CCJ even you do not owe the money or the debt is very old. So don’t ignore it, see What to do if you get a Claim Form for details.
The letter will have all the CCJ details. It will say who the creditor is and how much you have to pay. It will either say:
- you have to pay this all immediately, called a “forthwith judgment”; or
- monthly payments, called instalments, have been set.
If you have been contacted by the creditor, the creditor can give you the details and you can ask the court for a copy of them. Perhaps it was sent to an old address.
But if you discover the CCJ by checking your credit record or you are told that a credit application or a tenancy has been refused because your records show you have a CCJ, then you first have to find out the details. See “A CCJ on my credit record I know nothing about” for how to do this..
Five common situations
Mrs Blue – owes the money and can pay it
Mrs Blue had a dispute with a builder over some work and an unpaid bill. He sued her, she defended the claim because she said it should be lower. The judge accepted this so she got a judgment for an amount that she agrees she owes. She can pay it in full.
Next steps Mrs Blue should pay the claimant the money ordered as soon as possible. She should send a cheque to the “Name and Address for Payment” on the form or phone them to get bank details if she wants to make a transfer from her bank.
If this is done within one calendar month, the CCJ’s entry in the Register of Judgments, Fines and Defaults will be removed and the CCJ will not damage her credit record.
Mr Green – agrees he owes the money but can’t pay it all at once
Mr Green stopped paying a loan when his income fell. He didn’t reply to the Claim form because he was worried as he couldn’t pay the debt. He thinks he can afford to pay £70 a month.
Next Steps Mr Green needs to make an application to the court to pay monthly – this is sometimes called an “application for an Instalment Order” or “varying a judgment”. To do this he has to complete Form N245 which he can download.
This will cost £50. If Mr Green is not working or has a low income he can apply online for this to be reduced.
National Debtline has a fact sheet that describes how to vary a CCJ. If Mr Green isn’t sure what amounts to put on the form, eg for housekeeping, or how much he can afford to pay each month, then he should call National Debtline.
If Mr Green had admitted the debt and offered monthly payments on the forms included with the Claim Form (which he didn’t, he ignored the Claim Form) but his payments have been set at a higher level he may be able to ask for a “redetermination” of the amount he should pay. There is no fee for this but it has to be done very quickly – within 14 days. National Debtline can explain if this is a suitable option for you.
Ms Red – has a lot of debts and isn’t sure what she can afford
Ms Red lost her job a year ago and since then hasn’t paid anything to her credit cards debts. She is struggling to live on JSA. Other debt collectors are also threatening CCJs and she is worried about bailiffs.
Next Steps Ms Red needs good debt advice urgently. She could make an offer of monthly repayment to the CCJ like Mr Green – her offer would be low, perhaps £5 a month.
But she may have better alternatives such as a Debt Relief Order which will sort out all her debts, not just this one.
She should contact National Debtline for help to look at her whole financial situation, not just this CCJ.
Dr Purple – didn’t receiver the original papers in time and disputes the debt
Dr Purple has been abroad and returned to find that a judgment has already been made. She doesn’t agree she owes the money as she says the loan was paid in full several years ago.
Next Steps Dr Purple has a good reason to ask for the judgment to be “set aside” as it was recent, she has a reason for not having returned the original court papers and she has a defence to the claim.
National Debtline has a fact sheet on how to set aside a CCJ which looks at when you should do this. It also includes an example of a completed N244 form. There is a fee to pay, currently £303. Dr Purple is not on a low income so she won’t qualify for a reduction.
When the judgment is set aside, the court case still exists, it just goes back to the stage before the judgment so Dr Purple will then need to submit a Defence to the Claim.
Mr Orange – has just found out he received a CCJ a year ago
Mr Orange moved a couple of years ago and didn’t tell his creditors his new address. He was recently refused a new mobile contract. When he checked his credit score, he discovered he has a CCJ for a credit cards that he had stopped paying.
Next Steps Mr Orange wants to get rid of the CCJ as he never received the court papers. However he doesn’t seem to have a good reason to defend the claim and he should have informed his creditors when he moved.
If you don’t have a defence, there is little point in trying to set aside the judgment. If he gets the CCJ set aside, the creditor will just apply for a new CCJ, which will be on his credit record for longer. This is a waste of time and money.
Instead Mr Orange should work out if he can afford to pay the full debt (like Mrs Blue) or if he should apply to make a monthly payment (like Mr Green.)
More complicated cases
Your situation may not fit one of these scenarios or there may be some extra complications. For example the debt may be a joint debt.
National Debtline is an excellent source of advice on all matters relating to CCJs. If you don’t know what to do, or you would like to check to be sure, give them a ring on 0808 808 4000.
Letters from a debt collector?
How to stop a debt being sent to bailiffs
Being asked for your income & expenditure?
Laura says
Thanks for the reply Sara, no they didn’t include that in their calculation. They said they are sending out a cheque for £500 within the next 21 days.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Then go back to them and say they need to take the Lowell payments into account or you are not accepting their offer and will be sending it to the Finacial Ombudsman. This is a lot of money that they have done you out of with this poor offer.
Koo says
Hi, I have had two CCJs which are fully paid off, and no longer on my credit file. Why do mortgage companies, and some insurahnce companies ask fi I have ever had a CCJ? Do Iahve toi answer ‘yes’? Its none of thei buisness if these are satisfied and not on my credit file? How will they know this informnation if I declared ‘no’ for example? Surely them asking breaches some kind of rights?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I haven’t heard of anyone being refused a mortgage or insurance because of a CCJ not on their credit record.
Sam says
Hi Sara,
I have just received a CCBC claim form (N1SDT) from Drydens aka Arrow Global. I am in dispute with them, and have been phoning and emailing and writing to them in an attempt to resolve the situation. However, they have just gone ahead and raised a claim in the county courts anyway, hence the claim form. I am really annoyed and this is just typical of their behaviour so far. I absolutely cannot afford to pay the debt, and I equally cannot afford to get a CCJ on my credit file – I can barely rent a house as it is – I have NO chance with a CCJ. What do I do please? I know I can’t ignore the claim but equally I am still trying to get a straight answer from Arrow Global regarding my debt (it’s a little convoluted).
Any help deeply appreciated, thank you.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
what is the dispute?
how large is the disputed debt?
Tom says
Moriarty court letter
quickquid loan £150 taken 2017
11/01/2022 letter from Moriarty law.
I sent CCA request to lantern and Moriarty and received in 2 month.
08/02/2022 received statement of accounts from lantern
and form to fill, I ticked D and in that form I requested copy of default notice and assignment notice.
Received letter on 25/02/2022 sayings we referred your request to our Client and meantime account will be on hold but didn’t receive anything.
22/06/2022 letter from Moriarty Law:
Following our earlier letters regarding the above outstanding balance we have now issued proceedings.
23/06/2022
Received Claim form
Total amount
368.17
———————————-
05/07/2022
I filed acknowledgment of service stating I intend to defend all of the claim.
I ask them for default Notice but I never received it, before I file defense do I have to send them CPR 31.14?
And please please can you help with defense letter? Who’s to write it.
Thank you for reading and I very much hope you can help me ?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I don’t give advice on court cases. I suggest you talk to National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 and/or post on the Legal Beagles forum https://legalbeagles.info/forums/forum/legal-forums/court-claims-and-issues
Leanne says
I have received a judgement of acceptance on 23/08/22 to pay £20 as I originally asked for on my claim form back in Feb. If I pay off in full now will the ccj be removed?
Many thanks
Leanne
Sara (Debt Camel) says
So that sounds like the date of the judgment in which case you have 1 month to pay in full for the CCJ to be removed. I suggest you confirm this with National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 as it’s unusual for someone to get monthly instalments accepted and then be able to pay the judgment in full.
katykoo says
I have a question. I had two hiostorical CCJs Circa 2007. both fully satsified, and obvioulsy not on my credit file. If I apply for a remortgage/ some companies ask if I have ‘ever’ had a CCJ? Is this legal? Do I have to declare this, even though there is no evidence on file to say I had a CCJ.? Its seems unfair to ask this question, when it is nearkly twenty years ago?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You have to answer questions you are asked honestly.
I suggest you go through a mortgage broker and explain the situation. There will be plenty of lenders who do not care about this ancient history, you just need to avoid the few lenders that do.
JB says
My partner was issued with a £2500 CCJ in October 2019 (without his knowledge – his ex wife ran up the debt and hid all correspondence from him). He paid this off in August 2022 then had a notification from clearscore that the CCJ had been set aside, and then removed, but it is currently still showing on Check my File. There is no record of the CCJ on clearscore anymore. Does anyone know if the CCJ actually been removed and we just need to wait for the credit files to update, or would this be an error somewhere? He has spoken to the court and they were very unhelpful and couldn’t give him any information. We are trying to apply for a mortgage and this is really confusing things!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Did he apply to the court for a set aside?
JB says
No he didn’t, he just paid the balance in full then received the notifications about being set aside and removed.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Can you copy out exactly what that notification says? Because a set aside is a court procedure, it is the the right term for when a CJ has been paid (satisfied).
JB says
One notification says the following: Public Information Updated, Name, Court Date, Amount, Set Aside Date, Case Number, Name.
The next one says: Public Information Removed, Name, Court Date, Amount, Case Number. It then says underneath that this means the CCJ has expired. I would attached screen shots but I’m unable to.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I suggest you talk to National Debtline about this on 0808 808 4000. I can’t tell if you are misreading an unclear notification. Or if some error has been made. but if he did not enter a set aside application, then the CCJ should remain on the report but be marked as satisfied.
Stacey says
Hi we have just received a claim form from the court for some debt from an old address for eon (gas and electric )
The last payment apparently looks like around august or september and for some reason looks like the dd bounced. Received no other correspondence since apart from this. Total now £970 odd (paid £100 today) this includes court fees etc now also .
Rang eon and he told us fill it out and send it back right away to miss the deadline as letter sent 16th didn’t get it to 28th december with postal strikes. He said no ccj would happen . Now we sent it back and the litigation team are saying there will be one if we do the payment plan. How do we avoid this ccj and is it worth complaining and asking them to look into this before it goes to that point with not have correspondence prior to this .
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Did not get any correspondence about this before? No Letter Before Claim?
Did you not notice the DD wasn’t being paid?
What is the rest of your current financial situation like? Do you have other problem debts?
Stacey says
No I’ve complained about that but they said as it’s got that far there is nothing they can do it’s with courts now . We sent the form back instantly as they said it a payment plan was agreed it would not leave a ccj. We do have debts and one of us is currently now out of work . So the only way would be to borrow to stop the ccj basically. They said if we ignored this and disregarded the form altogether it would be worse. I’ve spoken with them this evening and they have now said they are speaking to the litigation team to find out when we have to pay the full amount or ccj Will be enforced and pay plan sent to court (to be agreed or not that’s up to them) so I’ve asked them to get back to me and explained we never got letter either. The problem being also is they said they started proceeding of this on the 14th December , letter from court 16th and didn’t get it until the 28th, the eon collegeue seems to think we would only most have till the 14th January 2022 but may be more or less once they speak to litigation team. regardless if I take the complaint regarding not receiving any letter. We don’t have spare funds to pay it out right so would mean trying to borrow from people we may know to help us is basically only other option or CCJ will be applied and we wanted to try improve our records not worsen them for applying for home in the future. Not sure what we can do. I can continue the complaint process with regards to 0 communication but it won’t pause this issue.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
have you gone back and seen if the DD bounced, or if they failed to collect it?
I think you should speak to National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 here about your options.
realistically if you don’t have any savings and one of you doesnt have a job, you have no real prospect of buying a house in the next few years, so it probably isn’t a good idea to borrow this money.
Stacey says
We have savings but we are unable to get them and I am looking for work as my contract ended 31.12.22 as took a temp role after being made redundant so although now isn’t a perfect time to buy we will in a few years (partner has his own business) so the ideal thing would be to avoid this ccj but it does mean temp borrowing from people which isn’t ideal. The problem is the length of time we are given as well if they are wanting it in 10 days . But they seem to think that’s the most we have I’m awaiting call back to confirm . Like even if they said 30-60 days but 10 is ridiculous due to the postal strikes we never even got the letter till the 28th December . Saying the 30 days goes from when they raised it on the 14th and letter dated 16th. All seems a bit forced and unfair
Sara (Debt Camel) says
why can’t you get at the savings?
once there is a CCJ, if you pay it in full within one calendar month it will drop off your credit record
It doesn’t sound as though you yet have a CCJ? You should get a letter headed Default Judgment
Stacey says
LISA, so we would be at a loss again . And that was the plan for the home. Then this has cropped up unexpected . We will have to try get the funds together before the litigation team send it to the courts it looks like . Eon said Wil call me back tomorrow. I was just wondering if there was a way to get longer considering 0 correspondence but it isn’t looking promising so looks like going to have to ask family and then pay back that way. It’s ridiculous companies can get away with this without trying to contact you first
Sara (Debt Camel) says
This is why I am suggesting you talk to National Debtline about your options.
Mike says
The problem is that your credit file will already be affected as a default, so not much difference to a CCJ to gain a mortgage. The difference will be the default date and the last payment made. If they are recent you may want to agree to a repayment plan, keep the money in Isa and keep saving for the next 6 years
If you have no default recorded , raise the funds and pay it off directly, if they do not accept this and have started proceedings put the money into court, only if you are not objecting that you owe the money
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Many mortgage lenders view a CCJ as more serious than a default
Mike says
Yes……that’s true
No disagreement, especially if not satisfied, but lenders who agree it will be at sky high rates. I was just pointing out it might be an option to ride the years out and save the spare cash in the help to buy Isa that they may already have and go cap in hand to friends and family (also making it awkward for them) especially if money is tight at the moment also
Tony says
Hi, I have found out I have a CCJ in an old address that I lived in 4 years ago, rhe judgment was made in 2020 I have lived in 2 addresses since, I want to pay the ccj off but have been unable to find out exactly how I can do this, I paid for the trust online search but it’s scarce in detail.
Do I need to contact the court direct?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
yes contact the Court. See https://debtcamel.co.uk/unknown-ccj-credit-record/
Mike says
Tony I have no legal experience but a similar thing happened to me a few years back
I challenged a very large organisation and was successful when I applied to the court to have it set aside arguing that before they started online proceedings, the company, agent or legal team should have checked on address because it was easily obtained through credit agency as a linked address and electrol register that is a public document and guessed a company of that size would have quick access to these facilities
I also argued that years earlier I challenged the debt before I moved and forwarded my new address, but heard nothing from the company in question, and because I heard nothing I assumed they agreed.
The organisation argument was that I knew of debt because of my challenge to the original company and I should have paid the amount I had suggested
So if you left a new address, or it is li ked with the old address or your on the electoral roll, you might want to explore having it set aside if this is your only clitch on your financial records Be warned the legal team responsible for the organisation included a bill in their bundle to the judge
John Clare says
Hello,
A CCJ was awarded by default against my defendant as they did not respond to my claim. Post-CCJ award, the defendant claims that they had moved property during the court proceedings and had not received any paperwork. They had, only 3 weeks prior to court proceedings being started, acknowledged the LBC at the address I had.
The defendant claims they have challenged the judgment with the court (on the basis that they had not received the claim and is also questioning evidence used (which is solid)).
Will the court accept this as a reason to challenge the CCJ? Will the defendant not have received email correspondence throughout the process as I did (through the Money Service online?).
Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I can’t give you advice on this. I suggest you talk to a solicitor.
Alan Powell says
Hi I have an old ccj and I’m trying to find how much is still outstanding as it doesn’t show on my credit report
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Are you being asked to pay this?
Alan says
I’m already paying at 10 pound a month and was wondering how much was left as it’s been going on years now
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You can ask the creditor to send you a statement of the account.
James says
Hi,
I have just received a judgement in the post, however I have categorically never received a claim form from the courts, or I would have replied. I am imagining the number of recent postal strikes may have affected this. Is there anything I can do?
Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
do you owe this debt? can you pay it? do you have any reason to defend the CCJ?
James says
Hi,
Thanks for your quick reply,
I do owe the debt and would be able to pay the amount in full within 2 months but not the 1 month to remove the CCJ from file.
I am particularly worried as my employment is within insurance industry and may affect employment. I also have nobody to assist with guarantor for rent, and may need to move in April. This would also affect my ability to find accommodation.
Thanks
James
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Were you ever sent a Letter Before Claim/Action?
James says
I last contacted debt collection agency (before any claim was issued) at end of Nov, who replied to say the account had been returned to owner at beginning of Dec. I didnt receive a letter of claim but thats not to suggest they didnt send one. This all seems to have happened very quickly over the december/christmas period.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I suggest you talk to National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 about this, saying that you never received a claim form or a Letter Before Claim.
Stacey says
They done this to me but said if I didn’t for an old debt it would be a ccj on my file so suggested I lend from friends and family . So had to do that . I also never got correspondence since September from the debt people to then have them send this
Zoe says
I’ve got a CCJ and been making payments monthly for the last 4 months but they are reporting on my credit report that it’s in default and not recording I’ve paid. I had missed a few payments at first but been paying since. Should they be reporting monthly that I made the payment and not as in default?
Carol Scott says
Hello can you help please? We have just discovered that my partner has a CCJ for £185 that was dated 11/07/2019. This has only been discovered due to us buying a house together. He has no idea what or who it relates to. If we find out & can pay it can it be removed from his file or do we need to wait the 6 years? If it can be removed how do we go about doing that?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It sounds like it may be a parking ticket? But he needs to find out what this is.
It could be someone else’s CCJ that has been incorrectly linked to his credit record.
It could be a debt that he didn’t owe because he had already repaid it.
There may be other reasons to challenge it, but he has to find out what happened.
If you decide it is his debt and you pay it, it will be shown as paid but will repmain on his credit record until July 2025, making it very hared to get a mortgage at a normal rate of interest.
katykoo says
Hi Sara, I have fully satisfied CCJs from around 2007. Obvioulsy, they are not on my credit file anymore. If Mortgage lenders or insurance companies ask, ‘Have I ever had a CCJ? Are they entitled to know about something that is nearly twenty years old and no longer on file? Do people like me still have to declare this informatuion, even though these new lenders coulc not find evidence of this?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Yes, you need to answer any questions honestly.
But lenders won’t care about this ancient history – and many don’t ask. Always go through a mortgage broker and tell the broker your whole history, but you shouldn’t have any problems.
carollann says
hi looking for help i did not receive my court papers from civil enforcement parking fine there was postel strikeso coiuld not pay it within a month
so had ccj agains my name
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Talk to National Debtline about whether you can apply to have the CCJ set aside.
James says
Hello!
When I was a student (2006) I got a Barclays card and ultimately got into trouble. I owed them 2 grand and couldn’t pay it. They defaulted me shortly after and at the time they never took me to court. They actually stopped communicating with me entirely. The last communication about that debt would have been no later than 2008.
Around 2019 I applied for a PPI claim and I won a small amount from Barclays bank. Shortly after my win, they applied for a CCJ for the amount I owed in 2006 and won (the full 2 grand + costs)!
So now my CCJ has about 2 and a bit years left but a friend told me I should look into this as the debt was “historic” and over 6 years. In 2019 it would have been 13 years since the date of the default.
What are my options? Do I just need to ride it out?
Thanks in advance!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It is a shame you did not take debt advice when they went to court as you may have had a good defence. Talk to National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 to see if there is anything practical you can do now to set aside the CCJ.
Emmanuel says
So I have applied to set aside a CCJ order..Now have received a letter regarding the Hearing date… I believe I would have to attend the hearing .
What should I do now that there is going to be a hearing regarding my application?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Talk to National Debtline or post on the Legal Beagles forum
Dean Russell says
Hi the DJ will ask the reasons why you have made the application.
The creditor may object and the DJ may agree with them meaning your application is dismissed.
Who is the creditor? what is the reason to set aside.
Even if it is set aside, all that does is put you back to square one, there will be a new hearing unless the creditor does not apply for a CCJ
Sara (Debt Camel) says
he said in a previous comment “My concerns now are about the debt company who claims to the Claimant saying that I owe them xx amount monies when I have not taken out any credit card or done any monetary business with”
Emmanuel says
Hearing is 2 weeks away from today.
Meanwhile the Claimant has responded to my application to set aside the CCJ.Their letter states they are opposing my application, because they don’t believe I have a defense.Their letter is my copy of what they have originally sent to the court that will hear the Hearing.
I stated my reasons for the application to be set aside,but Claimant is attempting lto oppose my application with my reasons. I have a defense I want to put across and want the chance to do so. I am engaged with Creditor and repayment proposal stands with them.I stated that I became unwell
. I also sighted going to seek advice from CAB, at the time. I then attached copies of my statement and email letters to the main creditor who is not the Claimant.I hope DJ consider s my application so that I can put in my defense because I have a defense to put.
In Claimant ‘s opposing letter, Claimant point out that all monies paid went through the main creditor and not them. I again received statement letter from Claimant who states they have received monies from me,but don’t have that record.Would be glad if DJ spots their statement and do the comparison in their opposing letter to the court and find out the false claim.
Hoping that the hearing goes my way,so that I can put in my defense finally.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Unless you can get a Citizens advice appointment soon, I repeat my suggestion to talk to National Debtline or post on the Legal Beagles forum
Emmanuel says
Well my application ended up as dismissed with Claimant cost now going to be added to the debt at hand..
Have received general form of judgement or order..
I want to now fill out form N425.
What court do I send the N425 forms on completion?
If you can’t give me an answer, please don’t worry…
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Please talk to National Debtline.
SueT says
I have a CCJ which is due to expire this month. Having checked my latest credit report it lists a set aside date of May last year. I have never set this CCJ aside, so why would my report state this ?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I have no idea. But if it drops off this month, do you care?
SueT says
But if its been set aside does that not mean it was no.longer enforceable ? I’ve made payments for the last 12 months so just wondered whether these should be refunded from the set aside date.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Who was the creditor?
Mike says
Hi Sue
If the CCJ should not have taken place and you successfully went to court or the creditor agreed out side of court, then the whole entry should be dropped after usually one month and any ammendment made on the payment history .
However if you payed the creditor with an arrangement following the judges order then it normally shows as satisfied and stays on file for 6 years from payment.
As I understand it most summons are issued from a bulk centre that get invited directly by the creditor on line and if you do not respond it automatically gives a CCJ after a 30 day to pay period without a judges order. If you defend it then it goes to you local court.
If you are wondering if you have overpaid, then go back to the company and ask for a list of your payments and match up…..you are entitled to overpayment back, but the onest is on you to prove it . You are entitled to a full copy of your file, which should have all the information
You may want to wait a month to see if it drops off first
Kate says
Hi i have just received an email from a Hannah Walsh with FCA on and says notice of attachment of earnings and that going take 464 from earnings and can speak to helpdesk to discuss other options. The email says i failed to pay or do iva so creditors want to issue CCJ im not sure if this is fake or not and really worried me
Sara (Debt Camel) says
This is a scam. The FCA will never email a person about their debts.
If you have debt problems, I suggest you talk to National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 or go to your local Citizens Advice
Renie says
Hi,
In July 2017 a CCJ was filed on my credit record against an address I was evicted from in 2012. I was in alot of debt and have no idea what this debt relates to and didn’t know about the CCJ until 2020. The 6 years for the CCJ is soon coming up for removal from my credit record and I’m wondering what can be done by whoever owns this debt to recover the amount in the future? Can they still pursue the amount? Will I have to accept liability if I have no record of the debt?
Thanks in advance
Sara (Debt Camel) says
so you have never been contacted about this after the CCJ?
Renie says
I have never been contacted up until very recently (within the last week, ) where I’m receiving numerous calls per day by an 0808 number I don’t recognise. I am worried that the company is pursuing me just at the 6 year mark.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Well it’s possible that is what is happening, or it could be something completely different.
What are the rest of your finances like at the moment, are you still in a lot of debt?
Renie says
Minimal debt, only rolling credit card (some paid in full each month = Amex) others are in interest only transfer balance period. No debts where I’m worried about being chased.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
So it is harder for a creditor to try to enforce a CCJ after 6 years – not impossible but a lot harder as they have to go back to court.
As there doesn’t seem to be any indication what these calls are about, I see no reason to answer them.
If they do get in touch with you and say this about the CCJ after the 6 years is up, phone National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 and ask for their help – say you used to have debts but you have no idea what the CCJ relates to.
Rach says
Hi, I have two CCJS from 2021, I have no record of any letters regarding this and entered an IVA in 2020. The court is CCBC and I paid for certificates of satisfaction on these in feb, purely to try and get some details as they don’t ever answer their phone. I’ve never heard back, and I have chased via email 4/5 times. The court has now closed down so I can’t get any details for these debts.
What should my next steps be? I either need to dispute these as I was in an IVA, or pay them in they weren’t included.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Paying for a certificate of satisfaction is not a good way to try to find out the details of these CCJs.
See https://debtcamel.co.uk/unknown-ccj-credit-record/ which has the new link for the replacement for the CCBC which has closed recently.
If you are stuck, talk to National Debtline on 0808 808 4000.
Karen says
Hi Sara
You have been so helpful in the past I wondered if you could help me.
Many years ago I had some financial difficulty and acquired several CCJs and defaults.
I am pleased to say that all of these defaults and CCJs have now been settled with the exception of one but it is no longer on my credit file with Equifax.
I have two questions;
a) what would happen if I stopped paying the monthly arrangement I have in place? I have been told that because I am paying it now the outstanding balance would become enforceable – is that correct?
b) I have been given the option to pay a reduced amount to settle the outstanding balance which I am considering but would that create an entry on my credit file where there currently isn’t one?
Many thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
a) what would happen if I stopped paying the monthly arrangement I have in place? I have been told that because I am paying it now the outstanding balance would become enforceable – is that correct?
is this a CCJ? what sort of debt was it originally?
b) I have been given the option to pay a reduced amount to settle the outstanding balance which I am considering but would that create an entry on my credit file where there currently isn’t one?
No – how large is the reduction you have been offered?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
a) yes the debt is still enforceableThat isnt a very generous reduction.
b) can you afford that? Without having to borrow more money? because being left short so you then use a credit card or your overdraft just starts you being charges interest again.
Karen says
It is a CCJ that was originally a bank loan. I have paid around £10000 and there is about £5000 left to pay. At the moment I pay £150 per month to the debt management company directly in accordance with the CCJ.
The reduction I have been offered is 30%
Thanks
Karen says
Hi Sara
Thanks for getting back to me.
Yes I can afford the £150 per month but I am cashing in a small pension in April and wanted to know if it is worth using some of that money to settle this debt or to keep on paying it really.
Is it worth going back to them to ask for a larger reduction?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
The debt will be cleared in less than three years at £150 a month. It’s unlikely they would offer a larger reduction unless the £150 is unaffordable and you need to ask for it to be reduced.
Ali says
Hi Sara,
I have question about CCJ initially who goes to civil court for ccj is it the bank or debt collector?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Either. But it is unusual for a bank to go to court for a CCJ for a personal debt, as opposed to a business debt.
Chris Long says
Hi Sara
I have a CCJ that I fully repaid last October however the solicitors have not notified the court correctly that I have satisfied the CCJ – I didn’t notice until a month ago so I went to the solicitors involved and they said they have resent confirmation to the correct place however the court have advised they have a 8 week backlog so this will now mean my credit file will show an outstanding ccj incorrectly for a year. Do I have any mean of recourse against the solicitors?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
did you repay it within the first month?
Chris Long says
No it was repaid over time. I have had one in the past which I repaid after a few months and it showed as satisfied as soon as it was paid and my credit score improved
Sara (Debt Camel) says
A CCJ that has been satisfied doesnt improve your credit score. Some lenders may be prepared to lend more to you after a CCJ is satisfied, but others will still refuse while the CCJ remains on your record, satisfied or not.
I doubt whether you will be able to to get any compensation from the solicitors as it will be hard to establish that you have lost money because of this.
Annita says
Hi Sara
I received a claim form from county court in 2020 for a debt Overdales are handling on behalf of Lowell. Due to panic, I called Overdales at that time and agreed a monthly repayment plan. A CCJ was never actually on my credit file. I recently missed a few monthly payments for this debt and decided to request a CCA agreement, thinking debt might be unenforceable if Overdales are unable to respond with the CCA. 16 working days after my request, Overdales have responded today threatening to continue litigation action and that the CCJ was already made against me with the agreement to repay the debt. They have added that, as a gesture of goodwill, they will request the CCA from the creditor for me but have given me 10 days to respond with a new payment plan. What should I do? Can Overdales still take me to court?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
That sounds odd. Talk to National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 About thsi and the rest of your debts. Or post on the Legal Beagles forum: https://legalbeagles.info/forums/forum/legal-forums/court-claims-and-issues