County Court Judgments and Your Credit Rating - Overview

This guidance is specific to England. For advice applicable to Northern Ireland, Scotland, or Wales, please refer to the respective sections.

Understanding County Court Judgments (CCJs)

A County Court Judgment (CCJ) may be issued against you if you owe a debt and a court has ruled that you must repay it.

Impact on Your Credit Rating

A CCJ can adversely affect your credit rating, making it challenging to secure loans or credit from financial institutions and retailers. The judgment will be recorded on your credit report, which is accessed by potential lenders to assess your creditworthiness.

Renting Challenges

A CCJ may also complicate efforts to rent from private landlords or letting agents, as they often review credit reports during the application process.

How to Check for a CCJ

To determine if you have a CCJ, you can:

• Search the Register of Judgments, Orders, and Fines: This online search requires a nominal fee and reveals any CCJs against you.
• Obtain a Credit Report: Request a free credit report from credit reference agencies such as Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion to check for any CCJs.

Removal of Entries in the Register of Judgments, Orders, and Fines

• CCJs Older Than Six Years: Automatically removed from the Register after six years, regardless of payment status.
• Disputed Debts: If you believe the debt is incorrect, you may apply to the court to set aside the CCJ by submitting form N244, potentially subject to a fee. Successful applications result in the CCJ being removed from the Register.
• Payment Within One Month: If you settle the debt within one month of the CCJ date, you can request the court to remove the entry by obtaining a certificate of satisfaction, for which a fee may apply but can be waived for those with low income.

Modification of Register Entries

• Post-Month Payment: If you pay the debt after one month but before six years, you can update your entry to reflect that the debt has been satisfied by providing proof of payment and obtaining a certificate. The CCJ will remain on your credit report but will show as paid, potentially easing future credit applications.

Important Advisory: Avoid Credit Repair Companies

Credit repair companies often charge exorbitant fees and may encourage dishonest practices, which are unlikely to be effective. For reliable assistance, contact your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau.

For further support or inquiries regarding CCJs, please reach out to Citizens Advice.