How to Remove a CCJ from Your Credit Report UK: A Step-by-Step Guide
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) can significantly impact your creditworthiness, making it challenging to secure loans or mortgages. Understanding the process to remove a CCJ from your credit report is crucial for financial recovery. This guide provides clear steps to help you navigate the removal process effectively.
What Is a County Court Judgment (CCJ)?
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a type of court order registered against you when you fail to repay money that you owe. It’s issued by a county court in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland when a creditor takes legal action against you.
When a CCJ is registered against your name, it remains on your credit file for six years, significantly affecting your credit score and your ability to obtain financial products. Lenders view CCJs as a serious red flag when assessing loan applications, making it harder to secure mortgages, credit cards, and even mobile phone contracts.
The judgment includes details such as:
- The amount of money you owe
- How you should pay the debt
- The deadline for payment
- The name of the creditor
Methods to Remove a CCJ from Your Credit Report
There are several approaches to removing a CCJ from your credit report in the UK. The method you choose depends on your specific circumstances and the status of your CCJ.
1. Pay the Full Amount Within One Month
The most straightforward way to remove a CCJ from your credit report is to pay the full amount owed within one month of the judgment being issued.
Process:
- Make the payment: Pay the full amount directly to the claimant (the person or organisation that took you to court). Ensure you get proof of payment.
- Request a Certificate of Cancellation: Once payment is made, you or your creditor can apply to the court for a ‘certificate of cancellation’. This costs £15.
- Notification to credit reference agencies: Once the court issues the certificate, they will notify the Registry Trust, which then informs the three main UK credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) to remove the CCJ from your record.
Impact on your credit report: If you follow this process correctly, the CCJ will be completely removed from your credit record, as if it never existed. This is the only scenario where a CCJ can be erased from your credit file before the standard six-year period.
Example: Sarah received a CCJ for an unpaid utility bill of £500. Upon discovering the judgment, she immediately paid the full amount to the utility company and requested a receipt. She then applied for a certificate of cancellation through the county court, providing proof of payment. Within three weeks, the CCJ was removed from her credit file.
2. Apply to Set Aside the Judgment
If you weren’t aware of the CCJ (perhaps you moved address and didn’t receive the court documents) or you have legitimate grounds to dispute it, you can apply to have it set aside.
Eligibility criteria:
- You didn’t receive the claim form or weren’t aware of the proceedings
- You have a reasonable prospect of successfully defending the claim
- You acted promptly upon discovering the judgment
Steps to complete form N244:
- Obtain the N244 form: This form is available from the court or online through the GOV.UK website.
- Complete the form: Provide details of the judgment and your reasons for wanting it set aside. Be thorough and honest.
- Include supporting evidence: Attach any documents that support your case, such as proof you didn’t live at the address where the claim was sent.
- Pay the fee: There’s a court fee of £275 (as of 2025) to apply to set aside a judgment. You may be eligible for fee remission if you’re on a low income.
- Attend the hearing: The court will schedule a hearing where a judge will decide whether to set aside the judgment. Be prepared to present your case.
Impact if successful: If your application is successful, the CCJ will be set aside, and the case will be reopened. This doesn’t automatically remove the CCJ from your credit file—you’ll still need to defend the original claim. Only if you win the case will the CCJ be removed.
Example: James discovered a CCJ on his credit report that was registered to his old address. He had moved two years earlier and hadn’t updated his address with an old creditor. James completed form N244, explaining he had never received the original claim form and providing evidence of his change of address. The court set aside the judgment, and James successfully defended the claim, resulting in the CCJ being removed from his credit file.
3. Wait for Six Years
If you can’t pay within one month of the judgment and don’t have grounds to set it aside, the CCJ will automatically drop off your credit report after six years.
Details:
- The six-year period starts from the date the judgment was registered
- After six years, it will no longer appear on your credit report
- The judgment will still exist in the public records, but it won’t impact your credit score
Effect on your credit file post-removal: Once the six years have passed, your credit score should improve, provided there are no other negative marks on your file. However, some lenders might ask if you’ve ever had a CCJ, in which case you would need to disclose this information.
Example: Mark had a CCJ registered against him in January 2019 for an unpaid debt. He couldn’t afford to pay it all at once, so he set up a payment plan and eventually satisfied the debt after two years. The CCJ remained on his credit file but was marked as ‘satisfied’. In January 2025, the CCJ was automatically removed from his credit file.
How to Apply for a Certificate of Cancellation or Satisfaction
Understanding the difference between cancellation and satisfaction is crucial for managing a CCJ on your credit report.
Certificate of Cancellation A certificate of cancellation completely removes the CCJ from your credit report and is only available if you pay the full amount within one month of the judgment being issued.
Required documentation:
- Proof of payment (receipt, bank statement)
- Court fee of £15
- Form N443 (Certificate of Cancellation application)
Certificate of Satisfaction If you pay the full amount after the one-month period has elapsed, you can apply for a certificate of satisfaction. This doesn’t remove the CCJ from your credit report but marks it as ‘satisfied’, showing potential lenders that you’ve settled the debt.
Required documentation:
- Proof of payment
- Court fee of £15
- Form N443 (Certificate of Satisfaction application)
Process for both certificates:
- Complete the appropriate form: Either download from the GOV.UK website or request from the court that issued the judgment.
- Attach proof of payment: Include evidence that shows you’ve paid the debt in full.
- Pay the fee: Send the completed form, proof of payment, and the £15 fee to the court.
- Wait for processing: The court will process your application and issue the certificate.
- Check your credit report: After a few weeks, check your credit report to ensure the CCJ has been cancelled or marked as satisfied.
Tips to Prevent Future CCJs
Prevention is always better than cure, especially when it comes to CCJs. Here are some strategies to help you avoid future court judgments:
Importance of timely payments:
- Set up direct debits: Automate your bill payments to ensure you never miss a due date.
- Create a budget: Understand your income and expenses to avoid overspending.
- Build an emergency fund: Having savings can help you cover unexpected costs without going into debt.
- Communicate with creditors: If you’re struggling to pay, contact creditors early to discuss alternative arrangements.
Monitoring your credit report regularly:
- Check your credit report: Review your credit file at least once every three months.
- Sign up for credit monitoring: Services like ClearScore, Credit Karma, or subscription services from credit reference agencies can alert you to any changes.
- Dispute inaccuracies promptly: If you spot something wrong on your credit report, raise a dispute immediately.
- Keep your address updated: Ensure all your creditors have your current address to avoid missing important communications.
Additional preventative measures:
- Avoid taking on too much debt: Only borrow what you can comfortably repay.
- Seek financial advice: If you’re struggling with debt, organisations like Citizens Advice, StepChange, or National Debtline offer free guidance.
- Consider a debt management plan: This structured repayment plan can help you manage multiple debts.
Conclusion
Removing a CCJ from your credit report in the UK requires understanding the available methods and taking timely action. Whether it’s paying the debt promptly, applying to set aside the judgment, or waiting for it to expire, each approach has its implications.
Remember that even if a CCJ remains on your credit file, satisfying the debt will look better to potential lenders than leaving it unpaid. Over time, as you demonstrate responsible financial behaviour, the impact of a CCJ on your creditworthiness will diminish.
Have you dealt with a CCJ on your credit report? Share your experiences or questions in the comments below. For more insights and personalised advice, subscribe to our newsletter.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you’re dealing with a CCJ, consider seeking professional legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.