How to Get a CCJ Removed: A Step-by-Step Guide
Found a CCJ on your credit file? This guide explains the main ways a CCJ may be removed, the steps involved and how to work out which route could apply to your circumstances.
No obligation • Confidential assessment • We'll explain your options
Can a CCJ Be Removed?
A CCJ may be removable depending on what happened and the circumstances surrounding the judgment.
You didn't receive the original court papers.
The papers were sent to an old or incorrect address.
The claimant is willing to agree to a Consent Order.
You may have grounds to ask the court to set the judgment aside.
The CCJ was paid in full within one calendar month.
Which Situation Applies to You?
The right way to deal with a CCJ depends on why the judgment was entered and what happened before it was registered. Start with the situation that sounds closest to yours.
I Didn't Receive the Court Papers
The claim may have been sent to an old or incorrect address and you only discovered the CCJ later.
See my options →The Claimant May Agree
If the claimant is willing to cooperate, a Consent Order may provide a route to asking the court to remove the judgment.
Learn about Consent Orders →I Want to Challenge the CCJ
You may need to make an application to the court asking for the judgment to be set aside.
Learn about N244 applications →I'm Not Sure
Don't worry if you don't know which option applies. Tell us what happened and we'll help you understand the possible routes.
Get a free assessment →Can Every CCJ Be Removed?
Many websites imply that every CCJ can simply be removed, but that’s not the case.
Whether a judgment can be removed depends on factors such as:
When the judgment was entered
Whether you knew about the claim
Whether there was a genuine defence
Whether court procedures were followed correctly
Whether the claimant is willing to cooperate
This is why it’s important to assess your circumstances before deciding which route to take.
The Five Ways a CCJ Can Be Removed
There are several different routes that may result in a CCJ being removed. Which one applies depends on what happened before and after the judgment was entered.
Paying Within One Calendar Month
If you pay the judgment in full within one calendar month of the judgment date, you can apply for it to be removed from the Register of Judgments.
This is the simplest method, but it only applies within the strict one-month deadline.
Applying to Set Aside the Judgment
A set aside application asks the court to cancel the judgment and reopen the case.
Common reasons include:
- You never received the claim
- Documents were sent to an old address
- You had a valid defence
- There was a procedural error
If the application succeeds, the CCJ is removed and the claim effectively starts again.
What Is an N244 Form? →Consent Order
Sometimes the claimant agrees that the judgment should be removed.
In this situation, both parties can ask the court to approve a Consent Order.
This can often be quicker than a contested hearing where agreement can be reached.
Administrative Error
Occasionally the court or claimant may have made an error.
Examples can include:
- Duplicate judgments
- Incorrect defendant details
- Procedural mistakes
In these circumstances, the judgment may be corrected or removed.
Successfully Defending the Claim
If the judgment is set aside and you later successfully defend the original claim, the CCJ will not remain on your record.
We Can Help You Understand Your Options
Tell us what happened and we'll assess your circumstances and explain which route may be appropriate.
Which Option Is Right for You?
The most appropriate route depends on why the judgment was entered and what happened before you discovered it.
You don't need to work this out yourself. We can assess what happened and explain which route may be appropriate.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these seven steps to understand the CCJ, identify the appropriate route and take the next action.
Find Out Why the CCJ Was Entered
Find out exactly why the CCJ was entered.
Obtain the Court Paperwork
Obtain the court paperwork.
Work Out Which Removal Option Applies
Work out which removal option applies.
Tell us what happened and we'll assess your circumstances and explain the options that may be available.
Prepare Supporting Evidence
Prepare any supporting evidence.
Submit the Appropriate Application
Submit the appropriate application.
Await the Court Decision
Await the court decision.
Update Your Credit File
Update your credit file if the judgment has been removed.
Common Reasons People Remove a CCJ
Many successful applications involve situations such as:
Moving house before the claim was issued
Never receiving court documents
Identity errors
Parking charge claims
Utility company claims
Old mobile phone contracts
Disputed debts
Incorrect addresses used by the claimant
How Long Does It Take?
Typical timescales vary depending on the route taken.
These are typical timescales only. The time taken can vary depending on the route used and, where a court application is required, how quickly the court deals with the application.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost depends on the route chosen.
Possible costs include:
Some options cost significantly less than others, so it's worth understanding which route is most appropriate before making an application.
See Our Complete CCJ Removal Costs Guide
Want a full breakdown of court fees and our fixed-fee services? Read our complete guide to CCJ Removal Costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some of the most common questions about CCJs and the options that may be available.
Getting Started
Can every CCJ be removed?
No. Whether removal is possible depends on the circumstances of the judgment and the legal options available.
How do I know if my CCJ can be removed?
Whether a CCJ can be removed depends on how the judgment was obtained and your individual circumstances. For example, you may have grounds for removal if the court papers were sent to the wrong address, the claimant agrees to a Consent Order, or you have a valid legal reason to apply to set the judgment aside.
The quickest way to find out is to request a free, confidential assessment , where we'll review your case and explain the most appropriate option before you spend any money on court fees or applications.
What is a County Court Judgment (CCJ)?
This is a Judgment a County Court Judge makes when someone has failed to pay money they owe to another party.
The process starts by the claimant making a claim to the court and the court will then send you, the defendant, the claim and ask for you to either, admit that you owe the money and pay the claim in full, admit to part or some of the claim or defend the claim if you think that you do not owe the money at all.
Whatever you decide to do – you must respond in 14 days.
How do I find out if I have a CCJ?
When someone makes a County Court Claim against you, you will be sent a Claim Form which explains how much the person is claiming and why they are taking the action, this is called “Particulars of Claim”.
You must respond the court papers in 14 days as if you do not then the court will issue a “Default Judgment” as essentially the court will believe the claimant without hearing your side of the issue.
There many cases, where you have discovered that you have a CCJ and did not receive the original paperwork and a Default Judgment has been made where you can make an application to the court to set-aside the judgement.
This doesn’t mean that the matter is closed, it simply means that the claimant has to start the process again, should they wish to.
The way to find out if you have a CCJ is to check your credit file, there are a number of services available online to check this such as Equifax, Experian, or Noddle. This is the first step to checking what is registered against you and we would need to see this in order to help you.
Understanding Your Options
What is the quickest way to remove a CCJ?
If the claimant agrees, a Consent Order can often be a straightforward route. Otherwise, the appropriate option depends on your circumstances.
Is paying a CCJ enough to remove it?
Only if payment is made in full within one calendar month of the judgment date. Otherwise it will usually be marked as satisfied rather than removed.
What if I never received the court papers?
You may have grounds to apply to set aside the judgment if you can show that the claim was not properly served or you were unaware of the proceedings.
What if I disagree with the CCJ?
If you believe the judgment was entered incorrectly or you have a valid defence, read our guide on Disputing a CCJ to understand the legal options available.
How do I deal with a Court Claim made against me?
If you agree that you owe the money even once a Judgment is made if you pay the debt within 30 days then there is no record of the action that has been taken recorded on your credit file and you will not have get a CCJ.
If you don’t reply to the court papers in the 14 days allowed, or don’t receive them, and such cannot reply, then a Judgment will be issued against you. If you have a CCJ registered against you and don’t pay an order can be made to take money out of your wages, A charge can be put on your property, your bank accounts can be frozen and bailiffs can be sent to your home to collect the money or goods to the value of the claim and the extra costs, charges and default interest.
A CCJ is also put on your credit file for six years warning banks and financial institutions that you have a history of debt. If you have an unpaid CCJ it will be virtually impossible for you to get a Mortgage, Credit Card, Car Finance or a Loan, especially from a high street provider and you would be forced to use a more “subprime” lender and even if this is available it will cost you much, much more for any credit that you obtain.
Common Situations
Can I remove a CCJ after six years?
After six years the CCJ is normally removed from your credit file automatically, but court records may still exist.
Need Help Understanding Your Options?
Every case is different, and the best route depends on how the judgment was obtained. If you're unsure whether your CCJ could be removed, a proper assessment can help identify the most suitable course of action.
Request a free 15-minute assessment and we'll explain your options, answer your questions, and help you understand whether a CCJ removal may be possible.