How to pay a CCJ

If you owe someone money and don’t pay, they may file a county court judgment (CCJ) against you.

In this guide, we look at how to pay a CCJ and what to do if you can’t afford the payments.

Paying a CCJ

Your CCJ will be sent to you through the post. It will include all the information you need to pay, such as:

how much you owe
how to pay it – either in full or instalments
the deadline for payment
the name and address of who you need to pay – this is usually the business or person who filed the CCJ, or their solicitor

The court will ask for proof of payment so it’s best to pay via cheque, postal order or bank transfer. Paying with cash doesn’t leave a record of payment. A CCJ stays on the Registry of Judgments, Orders and Fines and your credit file for six years. It may be difficult to borrow money during this time.

Paying in instalments

If you’re paying in instalments, your CCJ will tell you how often you need to pay and how much. Ask the business or person you owe about the best way to pay. They may ask you to set up a standing order to pay instalments directly from your bank account on a set date each month. Keep a record of each payment and make sure you pay on time.

What if I miss a payment?

If your payments are late, the creditor can take you back to court and you may have to pay extra costs. Speak to the creditor or the court straight away if you miss a payment.

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Changing your payments

You can ask the court to change the terms of a CCJ at any time by completing an N245 application form. There’s a fee for this – details of the cost and what to do if you can’t afford the fee are available at any county court office.

The form asks for details of your income, spending and how much you can realistically afford to pay. The court may ask you to attend a hearing to discuss this further. If your CCJ payment plan offer is accepted, you’ll pay the amount you suggested in the application. If your offer is rejected, the court will decide the amount you pay.

What happens if I pay a CCJ straight away?

If you pay off a CCJ within one month of the date on your CCJ, you can ask for the details to be removed from the registry. Write to the court and send proof of payment from the person you owed money to. Don’t forget to include your CCJ reference number.

What if I can’t afford a CCJ?

If you can’t afford a CCJ, don’t ignore it or the creditor may take further action against you, such as sending bailiffs to your home. You can set up a weekly or monthly payment plan with the court if you’ve got other judgments and your total debts are less than £5,000. This will stop creditors taking further action.

You might be able to get some, or all, of your CCJ written off if you can’t afford to pay it and you’re eligible for one of the following debt solutions:

Debt solutions will affect your credit rating and you may have to pay a fee. Speak to a debt adviser for more information on getting a debt solution if you’ve got a CCJ.