What is statute barred debt UK?

A statute barred debt is one that's become legally unenforceable because the limitation period has expired — usually 6 years in England/Wales (5 in Scotland) since you last acknowledged the debt or made a payment. The creditor can't take court action, though you technically still owe it.

Can I be chased for debt over 10 years old UK?

Possibly, but they likely can't enforce it in court if it's statute barred. Debt collectors may still contact you, but you can write to say the debt is statute barred and ask them to stop. If they threaten court action for a statute barred debt, that's harassment.

Does paying statute barred debt restart the clock?

Yes. Making any payment or acknowledging the debt in writing can restart the limitation period, making the debt enforceable again for another 6 years. This is why you should never pay or 'confirm' an old debt without checking if it's statute barred first.

Can statute barred debt affect credit score UK?

Not directly — debts drop off your credit file after 6 years regardless of statute barred status. However, the original default or CCJ may still show until its 6 years expire. A statute barred debt not on your credit file won't affect your score.

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Statute Barred Debt UK — When Old Debts Become Unenforceable

Guide to statute barred debt in the UK. When debts become legally unenforceable, how to check, and what to do if collectors chase old debts.

By PocketWise · 24 March 2026 · 5 min read

If you're struggling with debt, free confidential help is available from StepChange (0800 138 1111), National Debtline (0808 808 4000), and Citizens Advice.

Old debts can become unenforceable after a certain time. Here’s how statute barred debt works and what it means for you.

What Is Statute Barred?

The Basic Rule

Region	Limitation Period
England & Wales	6 years
Scotland	5 years
Northern Ireland	6 years

When Time Starts

The clock runs from	Details
Last payment	Date you last paid anything
Last written acknowledgment	Date you last admitted owing in writing
Whichever is later	Of the above

What It Means

If Statute Barred	Creditor Cannot
Take you to court	For the debt
Get a CCJ	Against you
Use bailiffs	To collect
But they can	Still ask you to pay

How to Check If a Debt Is Statute Barred

Step-by-Step

Step	Action
1	Find out when you last paid
2	Find out when you last acknowledged debt in writing
3	Calculate 6 years (or 5 in Scotland) from later date
4	If that date has passed = likely statute barred

Example

Event	Date
Last payment	March 2018
Last written acknowledgment	None since
6 years from March 2018	March 2024
Current date	March 2026
Status	Statute barred

What Counts as Acknowledgment

Does Restart Clock	Doesn’t Restart Clock
Making a payment	Receiving letters
Written confirmation you owe it	Phone calls (unless recorded and you admit)
Agreeing a payment plan in writing	Asking for information about the debt
Offering to pay	Disputing the debt

Different Debts, Different Rules

Standard 6-Year Debts

Debt Type	Limitation
Credit cards	6 years
Personal loans	6 years
Store cards	6 years
Overdrafts	6 years
Catalogue debts	6 years
Utility bills	6 years
Phone contracts	6 years

Special Cases

Debt Type	Limitation	Notes
Mortgage shortfall	6 years (unsecured part)	12 years for secured
Council tax	No limitation	Never statute barred
Tax debts (HMRC)	Varies	Often no limitation
Benefit overpayments	No limitation	Can always be recovered
CCJ debts	6 years from judgment	But CCJ itself can be enforced longer
Magistrates court fines	No limitation	Criminal, not civil

Scottish Differences

In Scotland	Rule
Limitation period	5 years
Called	“Prescriptive”
After 5 years	Debt is extinguished (not just unenforceable)
Meaning	You no longer legally owe it

What Debt Collectors Do

Common Tactics

Tactic	Why They Do It
Send letters	Hope you’ll pay
Phone calls	Pressure to pay
Threaten court action	Intimidation (may be illegal if statute barred)
Offer discount	Hoping small payment restarts clock
Add interest/charges	Make debt seem larger

What’s Not Allowed

If Debt Is Statute Barred	Collector Cannot
Threaten court action	Misleading
Imply legal consequences	If there are none
Not tell you it’s statute barred	When you ask
Harass you	Ever (FCA rules)

What To Do If Chased for Old Debt

If You Think It’s Statute Barred

Step	Action
1	Don’t admit you owe it (yet)
2	Don’t make any payment
3	Ask for proof of the debt
4	Check your records for last payment/acknowledgment
5	If statute barred, send a statute barred letter

Request for Information

What to Ask	Purpose
Copy of original agreement	Prove debt exists
Statement of account	Show payment history
Details of any payments	Calculate limitation
How they calculated amount	Check for errors

Writing a Statute Barred Letter

Include	Details
State	You believe debt is statute barred
Date	Of last payment/acknowledgment
Reference	Limitation Act 1980
Request	They stop contacting you
Keep	Copy for your records

Template Points

Key phrases to include:

“I believe this debt is statute barred under the Limitation Act 1980”
“My records show the last payment was on [date], more than 6 years ago”
“I have not acknowledged this debt in writing within the limitation period”
“Please confirm you will not pursue this debt further”
“I do not acknowledge liability for this debt”

Warning: Don’t say “I owe this but it’s statute barred” — that could be written acknowledgment.

What If They Still Chase You?

Escalation Options

Step	Action
1	Complain to the company
2	Complain to Financial Ombudsman (if FCA regulated)
3	Report to FCA
4	Get debt advice

If They Issue Court Claim

What to Do	Details
Don’t ignore it	Must respond within 14 days
File defence	“Debt is statute barred under Limitation Act 1980”
Court will likely	Dismiss the claim
You may recover	Costs if claim was vexatious

Credit File and Statute Barred Debt

How It Works

Aspect	Rule
Default	Drops off after 6 years
CCJ	Drops off after 6 years
Neither depends on	Statute barred status
After 6 years on file	Not visible to lenders

Timeline Comparison

Event	Credit File	Statute Barred
Default registered	Shows for 6 years	Clock starts
6 years pass	Drops off credit file	Becomes statute barred
After 6 years	Clean credit record	Unenforceable

Should You Pay Statute Barred Debt?

Reasons You Might

Reason	Consideration
Moral obligation	You did borrow the money
Peace of mind	Stop contact
The amount is small	Worth it to end hassle
You want to	Personal choice

Reasons Not To

Reason	Consideration
Legally unenforceable	They can’t make you
Not on credit file	No score impact
Revives the debt	If you pay anything
Money better used	For current priorities

If You Choose to Pay

Action	Why
Get “full and final settlement” in writing	Before paying
Pay by method with proof	Keep evidence
Check it’s removed from any records	Get confirmation

Special Situations

Joint Debts

Rule	Details
Each person	Separate limitation
If one pays/acknowledges	Only their clock restarts
Other person’s clock	Continues independently

Deceased Person’s Debt

Situation	Rule
Do you inherit the debt?	No (generally)
Can estate be chased?	Yes, for 6 years from death
Are you liable?	Only if you were joint debtor

Debt Sold to New Company

Question	Answer
Does sale restart clock?	No
New company’s rights	Same as original
Still must prove	Original agreement

Summary: Statute Barred Checklist

Check	Action
When did you last pay?	Find any records
Did you acknowledge in writing?	Check correspondence
Has 6 years (5 Scotland) passed?	Calculate date
Is debt type covered?	Not council tax, HMRC, etc.
Have you been chased?	Don’t pay or acknowledge
What to do	Send statute barred letter

Key Rules

Rule	Importance
Don’t pay anything	Restarts the clock
Don’t confirm you owe it in writing	Also restarts clock
Do ask for proof	Doesn’t restart clock
Do check your records	Evidence of last payment
Do get advice if unsure	StepChange, Citizens Advice

If you’re being chased for old debt, get free advice before responding. One wrong letter can restart 6 years of liability.

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Sources

Citizens Advice — Statute-barred debts