How long does a CCJ stay on your credit file UK?

6 years from the date the CCJ was issued. After 6 years, it's automatically removed from the Register and credit files. If you paid within 1 month of judgement, you can apply to have it removed entirely. Paying after 1 month gets it marked as 'satisfied' but it stays 6 years.

Can I get a mortgage with a CCJ UK?

Possible but harder and more expensive. Some specialist lenders consider satisfied CCJs. Expect: higher interest rates, larger deposit required, limits on how much you can borrow. Unsatisfied CCJs are much harder — few lenders accept them. After 6 years when removed, standard lending available.

How do I get a CCJ removed UK?

Pay within 1 month of judgement: apply to court to remove it (set aside). Pay after 1 month: stays on file but marked 'satisfied'. Dispute mistake: apply to court to set aside. Wait 6 years: automatically removed. Wrong/fraudulent: challenge through court.

Does paying off a CCJ improve credit score UK?

Paying changes status to 'satisfied' which looks better than unpaid. But it still stays 6 years from issue date. Some lenders treat satisfied CCJs more favourably. Doesn't improve score as such — but unpaid CCJs are worse. Focus on building good credit alongside.

How Long Do CCJs Last UK — Everything You Need to Know | PocketWise

How Long Do CCJs Last UK — Everything You Need to Know

How CCJs affect you. How long they stay on your credit file, how to get them removed, paying them off, and rebuilding your credit after a CCJ.

By PocketWise · 24 March 2026 · 4 min read

A County Court Judgment can significantly impact your finances. Here’s how they work, how long they last, and what you can do about them.

What Is a CCJ?

Definition

CCJ
Stands for	County Court Judgment
What it is	Court ruling that you owe money
Who issues	County Court (in England/Wales)
Scotland	Decree (similar purposes)
Northern Ireland	Also CCJs

How You Get a CCJ

Step	What Happens
1	You owe money and don’t pay
2	Creditor sends claim form
3	You have 14 days to respond
4	If no response or admission, judgement issued
5	CCJ registered against you

Types of Response

Response Option	Outcome
Pay in full	Claim dismissed
Admit and offer payment plan	Court decides terms
Dispute the claim	Court hearing
No response	Judgment by default

How Long CCJs Last

The 6-Year Rule

Timeline	Status
Day 1	CCJ registered
Within 1 month	Pay = can apply for removal
After 1 month	Stays even if paid
6 years	Automatically removed

On Your Credit File

Period	Impact
Years 1-3	Severe impact
Years 4-5	Reducing impact
Year 6	Diminishing
After 6 years	Gone completely

On the Register

Register of Judgments
Public record	Anyone can check
Shows for 6 years	From judgment date
Paid in month	Can be removed
Paid after month	Shows as satisfied

Paying a CCJ

Pay Within 1 Month

Benefit	Details
Can apply for removal	Certificate of satisfaction
Costs	£15 fee
Outcome	No CCJ on file
Important	Must be within calendar month

Pay After 1 Month

What Happens	Details
Stays on Register	6 years
Marked “Satisfied”	Shows you paid
Still affects credit	But better than unpaid
No removal	Even if paid in full

Payment Options

Option	How It Works
Full payment	One lump sum
Instalments	Court sets amount
Vary the order	Apply if can’t afford payments
Creditor directly	Or through court

Getting a CCJ Removed

Legitimate Removal

Situation	Action
Paid within 1 month	Apply for certificate of cancellation
Pay £15	Certificate of satisfaction
Send to Register	They remove it

Set Aside a CCJ

Grounds	You Can Apply If
Didn’t receive claim form	Genuine non-receipt
Have real defence	Dispute the debt
Procedural error	Court made mistake
Already paid	Before judgment

Set Aside Process

Step	Action
1	Apply to court (N244 form)
2	Pay fee (£275 typically)
3	Explain grounds
4	Court hearing
5	If successful, CCJ set aside

You Cannot Remove If

Situation	Outcome
Valid debt, paid after 1 month	Stays 6 years
Just want it gone	Not grounds
Time has passed	Must wait 6 years

Impact on Credit

Credit Score Effects

Factor	Impact
CCJ recorded	Score drops significantly
Multiple CCJs	Worse
Unsatisfied CCJ	Very negative
Satisfied CCJ	Better than unsatisfied
Older CCJ	Less impact over time

What You May Struggle to Get

Product	With CCJ
Mortgage	Very difficult
Loans	Limited, higher rates
Credit cards	Rejected or bad terms
Phone contracts	May need SIM-only
Overdraft	Unlikely
Car finance	Specialist only
Renting	Landlords check

Living With a CCJ

What You Can Still Get

Product	Options
Bank account	Basic accounts available
Debit card	With any account
Prepaid cards	No credit check
SIM-only phone	Usually fine
Utilities	But may need deposit
Secured credit card	Build credit

Rebuilding Credit

Strategy	How
Pay the CCJ	Get it satisfied
Credit builder card	Use responsibly
Stay on electoral roll	Always
Avoid new debt problems	No more defaults
Check credit files	For errors
Time	Most effective healer

Specialist Lenders

For	Options
Mortgages	Specialist bad credit lenders
Loans	Higher interest
Car finance	Guarantor or specialist
Be wary	Of very high rates

Multiple CCJs

Worse Situation

Multiple CCJs	Impact
More severe impact	On credit
Shows pattern	Of debt problems
Harder to borrow	Even specialist
Consider advice	Debt charity help

What to Do

Action	Priority
Get debt advice	StepChange, CAB
Consider options	DRO, IVA, bankruptcy?
Address underlying problem	Why in debt?
Create budget	Long-term fix

Checking for CCJs

Check Your Credit File

Service	Free Access
ClearScore	Equifax data
Credit Karma	TransUnion data
Experian	Basic free access

Trust Online (Registry)

Website	Details
TrustOnline.org.uk	Official Register
Search yourself	Check what’s there
Search others	With consent

Summary: CCJ Timeline

Key Dates

When	What
CCJ issued	Clock starts
Within 1 month	Pay and apply for removal
After 1 month	Stays even if paid
6 years	Automatically removed

Action Checklist

If You Have a CCJ	Action
Can pay in full now?	Do it immediately
Within 1 month?	Apply for removal
Can’t pay in full?	Set up payment plan
Dispute validity?	Apply to set aside
Can’t afford payments?	Apply to vary order

Rebuilding Checklist

Action	Done
Pay/satisfy the CCJ	☐
Check all credit files	☐
Correct any errors	☐
Register on electoral roll	☐
Consider credit builder	☐
Budget properly	☐
Seek free debt advice	☐

Key Contacts

Service	For
StepChange	Free debt advice
Citizens Advice	Free guidance
Money Helper	Free advice
Court	Vary orders, set aside

A CCJ isn’t the end of your financial life, but it does make things harder for 6 years. Pay it if you can, get it satisfied, and focus on rebuilding. The best approach is avoiding one in the first place — always respond to court papers and seek debt advice early.