Call now for professional help

0161 711 1300

Specialist CCJ Removal Advice Bureau Service

CCJ Removal: Consent Order vs N244 — Which Route Is Right for You?

CCJ Removal: Consent Order vs N244 — Which Route Is Right for You?

If you’ve received a County Court Judgment (CCJ) and want it removed from your credit file, you have two main legal routes available: applying for a Consent Order or submitting an N244 application to set aside the judgment. Both can achieve the same outcome — complete removal of the CCJ from your credit record — but they work in fundamentally different ways, with different costs, timescales, and success rates.

Understanding which route is right for your situation can save you hundreds of pounds and months of waiting. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down exactly how each option works, when to use them, and what you can realistically expect from the process.

What Is a Consent Order for CCJ Removal?

A Consent Order is an agreement between you and the creditor (the person or company who obtained the CCJ against you) to have the judgment set aside. Crucially, both parties must agree to this arrangement — you cannot force a creditor to agree to a Consent Order.

The process involves:

Once sealed by the court, the original CCJ is legally set aside as if it never existed. This is completely different from paying off a CCJ, which only results in a “satisfied” marker on your credit file.

Consent Order Costs

The court fee for a Consent Order is £123 as of 2026. This fee is typically paid by whoever applies to the court, though this can be negotiated as part of your agreement with the creditor.

Consent Order Timescales

When everything runs smoothly, Consent Orders are processed within 12 weeks. However, this assumes:

What Is an N244 Application?

An N244 application is a formal court application to set aside a CCJ without needing the creditor’s agreement. You’re essentially asking the court to overturn the original judgment based on specific legal grounds.

Common grounds for N244 applications include:

The N244 route is more complex because you must prove to a judge that you have valid grounds for setting aside the judgment. Simply wanting the CCJ removed is not sufficient — you need a legally recognised reason.

N244 Application Costs

The court fee for an N244 application is £313 as of 2026. You may also face additional costs if the case becomes complex or if the creditor contests your application with legal representation.

N244 Timescales

N244 applications typically take 4-6 months to resolve, though this can extend significantly depending on:

In London courts, where backlogs are particularly severe, N244 applications can take 9-12 months to conclude.

Key Differences: Consent Order vs N244

Factor Consent Order N244 Application
Creditor Agreement Required Not required
Court Fee £123 £313
Typical Timescale 12 weeks 4-6 months
Court Hearing Usually not required Often required
Legal Grounds Not required Must prove valid grounds
Success Rate High (if creditor agrees) Variable (depends on grounds)

When to Choose a Consent Order

A Consent Order is typically the better choice when:

1. The Creditor Is Cooperative

If the creditor recognises they made an error, obtained the CCJ unfairly, or is willing to negotiate, a Consent Order can be arranged quickly and cost-effectively.

2. You Can Offer Something in Return

Creditors are more likely to agree to a Consent Order if you can offer:

3. Time and Cost Are Important

With lower fees (£123 vs £313) and faster processing (12 weeks vs 4+ months), Consent Orders are more efficient when achievable.

4. You Want Certainty

Once a creditor agrees to a Consent Order, the outcome is virtually guaranteed. Courts rarely reject properly prepared Consent Orders.

When to Choose an N244 Application

An N244 application becomes necessary when:

1. The Creditor Won’t Cooperate

If the creditor refuses to discuss a Consent Order or doesn’t respond to communications, N244 may be your only option.

2. You Have Strong Legal Grounds

N244 applications work best when you can clearly demonstrate:

3. The CCJ Was Obtained Improperly

Common scenarios include:

4. The Debt Is Disputed

If you genuinely believe you don’t owe the money, or the amount is wrong, N244 allows you to present your case to a judge.

The Consent Order Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Initial Contact
Contact the creditor to discuss setting aside the CCJ. This might be a debt collection agency, the original company you owed money to, or their legal representatives.

Step 2: Negotiation
Explain why you believe the CCJ should be set aside and what you’re offering in return. Be prepared to provide evidence supporting your position.

Step 3: Draft the Order
Once agreement is reached, draft the Consent Order document. This must include specific legal language and be signed by both parties.

Step 4: Court Submission
Submit the signed Consent Order to the court that issued the original CCJ, along with the £123 fee.

Step 5: Court Approval
The court reviews and “seals” the order. Once sealed, the CCJ is officially set aside.

The N244 Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Complete Form N244
Download form N244 from GOV.UK and complete all sections, clearly stating your grounds for setting aside the CCJ.

Step 2: Gather Evidence
Collect all supporting documents: proof of address, correspondence, original claim forms (if you have them), witness statements, etc.

Step 3: File the Application
Submit your N244 form, evidence, and £313 fee to the court that issued the original CCJ.

Step 4: Court Review
The court will review your application and may either grant it immediately (if grounds are clear) or list it for a hearing.

Step 5: Hearing (If Required)
Attend your hearing either in person or via CVP (Cloud Video Platform). Present your case to the judge, who will decide whether to set aside the CCJ.

Success Rates and Realistic Expectations

Consent Orders have very high success rates — typically 95%+ — because both parties have already agreed to the arrangement. The main risk is administrative errors in paperwork.

N244 applications have more variable success rates depending on your grounds:

Cost Comparison: Hidden Expenses

While the court fees are straightforward (£123 vs £313), consider additional costs:

Consent Orders:

N244 Applications:

What Happens After Success?

Regardless of which route you choose, successful CCJ removal means:

Immediate Effect: The CCJ is legally set aside as if it never existed

Credit File Updates: Registry Trust removes the CCJ from their database within 2-4 weeks

Credit Agency Updates: Experian, Equifax, and Clearscore update your file within 4-6 weeks

No “Satisfied” Marker: Unlike paying off a CCJ, removal leaves no trace on your credit record

Common Mistakes to Avoid

With Consent Orders:

With N244 Applications:

Making Your Decision

Choose a Consent Order if:

Choose an N244 application if:

Getting Professional Help

While both routes can be handled independently, professional assistance can significantly improve your chances of success. CCJ Removal Services specialises in both Consent Orders and N244 applications, with extensive experience in negotiating with creditors and presenting cases to courts.

Professional services can:

Conclusion: Choose Your Route Wisely

Both Consent Orders and N244 applications can achieve complete CCJ removal, but they serve different purposes. Consent Orders work best when cooperation is possible, offering speed and cost-effectiveness. N244 applications are essential when creditors won’t negotiate, but require stronger evidence and involve more risk.

Before committing to either route, honestly assess:

Remember, attempting the wrong approach first can waste time and money, so getting the decision right from the start is crucial. If you’re unsure which route suits your situation, professional advice can save you from costly mistakes and significantly improve your chances of removing that CCJ from your credit file permanently.

With the right approach, both routes can restore your credit rating and financial future — it’s just a matter of choosing the path that fits your specific circumstances.

N244 Application Form

Please complete this form to download the Free N244 Application Form BUT we strongly advise you to call us so we can assess your case and ensure you have the legal grounds to ask the court to remove the judgment from your name.