County Court Judgments (CCJs)
County court claims and County Court Judgments (CCJs)
We receive a lot of calls and emails from alarmed consumers informing us that they have received, or are about to receive a county court judgement because they owe someone or company money. It is the courts job to decide if the county court claim is correct and fair
What is county court claim?
- If you owe money to someone that person can take action in the county court action in order to get back their money.
- You can settle the whole matter easily by paying the debt in full. If you cant pay the debt in full then the court will decide terms in which the debts should be paid back.
County court claim forms
The county court claim form shows the following:
- How much the creditor says you owe them
- The details of the claim
- The chance to explain your situation to the court.
- Questions about your income and outgoings.
- Opportunity to make a reduced offer, if you feel the claim is incorrect or pay by installments
The court decision on county court judgments
If there is a dispute then the court can order the following choice of judgement:-
- Pay the full amount in one lump sum
- Pay the debt back in set monthly payments
What is a 'forthwith' county court judgement?
If you do nothing within the time allowed by the court then the court can make a “forthwith county court judgement. A forthwith county court judgment is an order to pay the whole debt back immediately or in installments.
County Court Judgments (CCJs)
The court will issue an order called a County Court Judgement (CCJ). A CCJ is an order saying:
- You must repay the debt
- How much to pay
- How to pay it
What happens if you can’t afford what the court have decided on the county court judgement?
- You can apply to the court to look at your offer again.
- This is called a 'redetermination'
- There is no fee for this
- You must do this within 14 days of getting the order.
- Writing a letter to the county court
- Quote your case number
- Attach your personal budget sheet,
- Provide an explanation
What to do if you can't pay
If you pay nothing, or don't keep up with the payments, the creditor can ask the court to take steps to make you pay, in which case you may have to pay more costs.
If you genuinely can't pay, you can ask the court to:
- Change the amount of the regular payments you are supposed to pay (known as an installment order) - you can apply on a special court form called an N245.
- Suspend the order until you can afford to pay - you can apply using application form called an N244
County Court Judgment (CCJ) records
The rule of that you have one month you pay the full amount of the judgment otherwise the county court judgement (CCJ) will be officially recorded and remain on your credit rating for 6 years
Please call the advice team for advice on county court judgements or apply online.
