Finance glossary
CCJ — County Court Judgment
Also known as: County Court Judgment
In simple terms
A CCJ is a court order that says you owe money and must repay it. It goes on a public register and your credit file, and seriously affects your ability to borrow.
On this page
What does CCJ mean?
A CCJ is a County Court Judgment — a court ruling in England and Wales that confirms you owe a debt and orders you to repay it. A creditor applies for one when they cannot get you to pay another way.
A CCJ is recorded on the public Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines and appears on your credit file. It is a serious black mark that makes borrowing much harder.
How a CCJ works
The court sends you a claim form first. If you do not respond, a judgment can be entered against you by default — so it is important to reply, even if only to arrange to pay or dispute the debt. The judgment sets out how much to pay and by when.
A CCJ stays on the register and your credit file for six years. If you pay in full within one calendar month of the judgment, it is removed from the register entirely. If you pay after a month, it is marked as “satisfied” but stays for the six years.
How could this affect me?
A CCJ makes it much harder and more expensive to get credit, and can affect renting and some jobs. Ignoring the original claim is the worst thing to do, because a default judgment can be entered without your side being heard.
If you did not receive the claim or you dispute the debt, you may be able to apply to have the judgment set aside. Free debt advice can help you respond in time and choose the best option.
Things to watch out for
- Ignoring a court claim can lead to a judgment against you by default — always respond.
- Paying within one calendar month removes the CCJ from the register; paying later only marks it “satisfied”.
- A satisfied CCJ still stays on your credit file for six years.
- CCJs apply in England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own equivalents.
Know your rights
- You have the right to respond to the court claim before judgment, and to dispute a debt you do not believe you owe.
- If you pay a CCJ in full within one calendar month, you can have it removed from the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines.
- You may be able to apply to the court to set aside a judgment made in error or without your knowledge.
- You can get free, independent debt advice from services such as Citizens Advice, StepChange and National Debtline.
General information, not personal advice
Consumer Credit is an independent information service. We do not provide regulated financial advice or sell financial products. For advice on your own situation, speak to an appropriately authorised firm or a free service such as MoneyHelper. About Consumer Credit.
Sources
We checked this page against these official and authoritative sources.
- GOV.UK, Make a court claim for money / County Court Judgments (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.
- Registry Trust (TrustOnline), The Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.