Last updated: 9 May 2026 | Reviewed against official UK guidance where available | Budgeting and Money Tips
GOV.UK says a CCJ or high court judgment stays on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines for 6 years. If paid in full within one month, you can apply to have it removed from the register; if paid later, it can be marked satisfied.
Enter the date your CCJ was issued to see when it will be removed from your credit file.
If you’re wondering how long does a CCJ last, you’re not alone. County Court Judgments can feel like a financial cloud hanging over you, but understanding the timescales involved can help you plan your path back to financial health.
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court order that says you owe money to someone. Once issued, it affects your ability to get credit, secure a mortgage, or even rent a property. But CCJs don’t last forever, and there are ways to minimise their impact.
How Long Does a CCJ Last on Your Credit File?
A CCJ stays on your credit file for exactly 6 years from the date of judgment, not from when you pay it. This is set by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and applies to all three major credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
The date that matters is when the court made the judgment, which you’ll find on your CCJ paperwork as the “date of judgment”. Even if you pay the CCJ immediately after receiving it, it will still remain on your credit file for the full 6 years.
A person who receives a CCJ should check the judgment date, amount, payment deadline and whether they can pay in full within one month. If they cannot afford the payment, GOV.UK says they may be able to ask to vary the judgment and pay by instalments.
The 6-year period cannot be extended, even if you haven’t paid the debt. However, creditors can take enforcement action throughout this period and beyond to recover the money owed.
Can You Remove a CCJ Early?
There are only two ways to remove a CCJ from your credit file before the 6-year period expires:
1. Pay within one month of the judgment date
If you pay the full amount within one calendar month of the judgment date, you can apply to have the CCJ removed completely. You’ll need to pay a £15 fee to the court and provide proof of payment. The court will then issue a Certificate of Cancellation.
2. Successfully set aside the CCJ
You can apply to set aside a CCJ if you believe it was issued incorrectly. Common reasons include:
- You never received the original court papers
- You had already paid the debt
- The debt amount is wrong
- You have a valid defence against the claim
Setting aside a CCJ costs £285 (2026 fees) and there’s no guarantee of success. You’ll need strong evidence to support your case.
If you receive CCJ papers, act within the first month if at all possible. Even borrowing money from family to pay immediately can save your credit rating for years to come. I always tell clients that £285 to set aside a CCJ is rarely worth it unless you have compelling evidence the judgment was wrong.
Satisfied vs Unsatisfied CCJs
While all CCJs last 6 years, there’s a big difference between satisfied and unsatisfied CCJs in how lenders view them.
| Type | Status | Lender View | Credit Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satisfied CCJ | Paid in full | Shows responsibility, resolved debt | Significant but reducing over time |
| Unsatisfied CCJ | Still owes money | High risk, ongoing debt problems | Severe, maintained impact |
How to mark a CCJ as satisfied:
- Pay the debt in full to the creditor
- Get written confirmation of payment
- Apply to the court with form N443 and a £15 fee
- The court updates the Register of Judgments within 28 days
- Credit agencies update their records within 4-6 weeks
A person who receives a CCJ should check the judgment date, amount, payment deadline and whether they can pay in full within one month. If they cannot afford the payment, GOV.UK says they may be able to ask to vary the judgment and pay by instalments.
How a CCJ Affects Your Credit Score
A CCJ will typically drop your credit score by 250-300 points initially. The impact depends on several factors:
- Amount owed: Higher amounts have greater impact
- Your previous credit history: Those with excellent credit see bigger drops
- Time elapsed: Impact reduces gradually over the 6 years
- Whether it’s satisfied: Paid CCJs have less ongoing impact
- Other credit activity: New positive credit behaviour helps recovery
CCJ impact by value (2026):
- Under £500: May not appear on some credit checks
- £500-£2,000: Moderate impact, some specialist lenders available
- £2,000-£10,000: Significant impact, limited mainstream credit
- Over £10,000: Severe impact, mainly specialist lenders only
What Happens After 6 Years?
After 6 years, your CCJ automatically disappears from your credit file. You don’t need to do anything – the credit reference agencies remove it on the sixth anniversary of the judgment date.
However, this doesn’t mean the debt disappears. Key points to understand:
- The debt still exists: You legally owe the money unless it’s become statute barred
- Enforcement continues: Creditors can still use bailiffs, attachment of earnings, or charging orders
- Court records remain: The CCJ stays on the public Register of Judgments indefinitely
- Credit applications: Some lenders ask about CCJs “ever”, not just recent ones
Most people see their credit score improve significantly once the CCJ drops off, often by 200+ points within 3-6 months.
Improving Your Credit With an Active CCJ
Don’t wait 6 years to start rebuilding your credit. You can take action immediately:
Step 1: Satisfy the CCJ if possible
Paying the CCJ in full should be your priority. Consider:
- Using savings or borrowing from family
- Negotiating a payment plan with the creditor
- Asking for a discount for immediate settlement
- Using our debt snowball calculator to plan payments
Step 2: Register on the electoral roll
Being on the electoral roll adds about 50 points to your credit score and helps lenders verify your identity.
Step 3: Use a credit builder card
A credit builder card can help demonstrate responsible credit use. Use it for small purchases and pay off the full balance monthly.
Step 4: Check your credit report monthly
Monitor your progress and dispute any errors. Free services include Credit Karma (TransUnion), ClearScore (Equifax), and MSE Credit Club (Experian).
Focus on what you can control. Even with a CCJ, consistent payments on other credit commitments will gradually improve your score. I’ve seen clients increase their rating by 150+ points within 18 months through disciplined credit building, even with an active CCJ.
How to Check Your CCJ Status
You can check if you have a CCJ through several methods:
1. Registry Trust Online
The official Registry Trust maintains the Register of Judgments. Search costs £4.50 per individual name check online.
2. Your credit report
CCJs appear in the “Public Information” or “Court Records” section of your credit report from all three agencies.
3. Court records
Contact the court that issued the CCJ directly. They’ll have full details including payment status and any enforcement actions.
Information you’ll see:
- Case number and court details
- Date of judgment
- Original amount owed
- Current status (satisfied/unsatisfied)
- Date satisfied (if applicable)
Preventing a CCJ
Prevention is always better than cure. If you receive court papers, you typically have 14 days to respond. Your options include:
1. Pay the full amount
If you owe the money and can afford to pay, settle immediately. The creditor should discontinue the court action.
2. Admit the claim and ask for time to pay
Use form N9A to admit the debt but propose affordable monthly payments. The court may accept your proposal, avoiding a CCJ.
3. Defend the claim
If you believe you don’t owe the money, file a defence using form N9B. Valid defences include:
- You’ve already paid
- The amount is wrong
- The debt is statute barred (over 6 years old with no contact)
- You never received the goods/services
- The goods/services were faulty
4. Get debt advice
Free debt advice is available from StepChange, Citizens Advice, or National Debtline. They can help you understand your options and negotiate with creditors.
A person who receives a CCJ should check the judgment date, amount, payment deadline and whether they can pay in full within one month. If they cannot afford the payment, GOV.UK says they may be able to ask to vary the judgment and pay by instalments.
MoneyWise UK reviews publicly available UK guidance and trusted sources when producing finance explainers. This guide is general information only, not personalised financial advice. Rules, rates and provider terms may change, so check the linked official sources before acting.
Many people believe paying a CCJ immediately removes it from their credit file. This is false. Only payment within exactly one calendar month of the judgment date allows complete removal. Pay on day 32 and it stays for the full 6 years, just marked as satisfied.
- CCJs last exactly 6 years on your credit file from the judgment date
- Only payment within one month or successfully setting aside removes a CCJ early
- Satisfied CCJs have less impact on credit applications than unsatisfied ones
- You can rebuild credit while a CCJ is active through responsible credit use
- The debt remains enforceable even after the CCJ disappears from credit files
- Prevention is better than cure – respond to court papers within 14 days
- Free debt advice is available if you’re struggling with CCJ proceedings
- Check your CCJ status through Registry Trust, credit reports, or court records
- GOV.UK: County court judgments for debt
- GOV.UK: CCJs and your credit rating
- GOV.UK: Get free debt advice
Rules, rates and provider terms may change. Check official sources before making financial decisions.
Before you act: debt checks
Use this section as a final check before applying, claiming, switching, transferring money or relying on a figure. Rules, rates and provider terms can change, so verify the current position with the linked official sources.
| Decision point | What to check | Source to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Priority debts | Check rent, council tax, energy, court fines and other priority debts before focusing on unsecured borrowing. | GOV.UK: options for dealing with debts MoneyHelper |
| Formal solutions | DROs, bankruptcy and IVAs have strict criteria and long credit-file consequences. | GOV.UK: Debt Relief Orders GOV.UK |
| Advice route | Use free debt advice before choosing a paid debt solution or stopping payments. | MoneyHelper: dealing with debt GOV.UK / MoneyHelper |
- Can You Write Off Debt in the UK? Every Option Explained (2026)
- Debt Relief Order Eligibility 2026: Do You Qualify? Check in 2 Minutes
- Debt Snowball Calculator UK: See Your Debt-Free Date in Minutes (2026)
- Statute Barred Debt UK: When Your Old Debts Are Legally Unenforceable (2026)
- What Happens After a Debt Relief Order? Your 12-Month DRO Timeline (2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a CCJ show up on a DBS check?
CCJs don’t appear on standard or enhanced DBS checks as they’re not criminal matters. However, they remain on the public Register of Judgments, which some employers might check separately for financial roles.
Can I get a mortgage with a CCJ?
Yes, but options are limited and rates higher. Satisfied CCJs over 2 years old have better chances. Some specialist lenders accept applications with active CCJs, typically requiring larger deposits and charging higher rates.
Will a CCJ stop me renting a property?
Many landlords run credit checks and may reject applicants with CCJs. However, satisfied CCJs or those over 3 years old are often acceptable. Consider offering a larger deposit or guarantor to improve your chances.
Can a CCJ be enforced after 6 years?
Yes, CCJs remain legally enforceable beyond 6 years unless the underlying debt becomes statute barred. Creditors can still use bailiffs, attachment of earnings, or charging orders even after the CCJ disappears from your credit file.
How do I check if I have a CCJ against me?
Check through Registry Trust online (£4.50), your free credit reports, or contact the relevant county court directly. CCJs appear in the public information section of credit files from all three main agencies.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. If you are struggling with debt, contact StepChange (0800 138 1111) or Citizens Advice for free, confidential help. MoneyWise UK is editorially independent and not affiliated with any debt management company.
