Debt guide
County Court Claims and CCJs
Received a County Court claim or CCJ? Understand what it means, how to respond, and what your options may be.
Last reviewed: 29 March 2026
Quick answer
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court order that may be registered against you if someone claims you owe them money. If you receive a claim form, you generally have 14 days to respond. Not responding can result in a default judgment that affects your credit rating for up to six years.
What this means in practice
When you receive a county court claim form (Form N1), you generally have 14 days from the date of service to respond. You can respond by admitting the claim, filing a defence, or filing an acknowledgment of service. If you file an acknowledgment of service, you generally have a total of 28 days from the date of service to file your defence. If you do not respond within the relevant timeframe, a default judgment may be entered against you.
Common situations
Common situations include: receiving a claim form but not owing the money, missing the deadline to respond to a county court claim, having a CCJ and wanting to know how to get it removed, or a debt collector threatening court action.
What UK law says
County Court claims are governed by the Civil Procedure Rules and the County Courts Act 1984. A CCJ is recorded on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines and can affect your credit rating for up to six years from the date of the judgment, unless it is paid in full within one month. The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 governs enforcement methods including bailiff action.
What people often consider
Depending on your situation, options people may consider include: paying the full amount if you agree you owe it, requesting a payment plan from the court, filing a defence if you dispute the claim, or making a counterclaim. If a default CCJ has already been entered, it may be possible to apply to the court to have it set aside if you can show a good reason for not responding in time and that you have a real prospect of defending the claim.
Common mistakes to avoid
Common mistakes include: ignoring the claim form (this almost always leads to a default judgment), assuming a CCJ will go away on its own (it stays on your credit file for 6 years), not seeking advice early enough, missing the 14-day response deadline, and not knowing that paying within one month of a CCJ means it won’t appear on your credit file.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to respond to a county court claim?
You generally have 14 days from the date of service to respond. Filing an acknowledgment of service extends this to 28 days total. These timeframes are set out in the Civil Procedure Rules.
Can I get a CCJ removed?
If you pay the full amount within one month of the judgment, you can apply to have it removed from the register. After one month, you can apply to have it marked as ‘satisfied’, but it will remain on your credit file for six years from the judgment date.
What if I can’t afford to pay?
You can admit the claim and propose a payment plan. The court will consider your financial circumstances when setting payment terms. You may also seek free debt advice from organisations like StepChange or Citizens Advice.
Can I set aside a default CCJ?
You may apply to set aside a default judgment if you can show you had a good reason for not responding to the claim and that you have a real prospect of defending it. You should act promptly as delays may affect your application.
Need help with your specific situation?
Get a personalised AI analysis tailored to your exact circumstances.
Analyse my situationThis guide provides general information about UK law and is not legal advice. Laws and regulations may change. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified solicitor. LawClarity is an informational service only.