An Administration Order is one of the few formal debt solutions available directly through the court system — without an insolvency practitioner’s involvement. It suits people with multiple debts, at least one CCJ, and total debts under £5,000.
For a full overview of debt solutions in England and Wales, see the Debt Solutions hub. For Scottish-specific solutions, see the Scottish Debt Solutions guide.
How an Administration Order Works
- Apply to the county court (usually the court that issued the CCJ)
- Complete form N92 — listing all your debts, income, and expenses
- The court reviews the application and decides whether to grant the order
- A hearing is held at which the court sets a regular payment amount you can afford
- You make one monthly payment to the court — the court distributes it proportionately to your creditors
- Creditors cannot take further enforcement action while the order is in place
- Continue until debts are paid (or until a Composition Order time limit expires)
Eligibility at a Glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| At least one CCJ | Must have an active County Court Judgement |
| Total unsecured debts | Cannot exceed £5,000 |
| Inability to pay CCJ | Must demonstrate you cannot pay the CCJ immediately |
| England and Wales only | Administration Orders are not available in Scotland (see Scottish solutions) |
What Debts Are Included?
Included: Credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts, payday loans, council tax arrears, utility debt, CCJs, catalogue debt
Not included: Secured debts (mortgage, secured loans), student loans, magistrates court fines, child support, some benefit overpayments
All included debts must be listed — you cannot cherry-pick which creditors are in and which are not.
Administration Order vs Other Debt Solutions
| Admin Order | DMP | IVA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requires CCJ | Yes | No | No |
| Total debt limit | £5,000 | None | Usually £7,500+ |
| Legally binding on creditors | Yes | No | Yes |
| Debt write-off possible | Yes (Composition) | No | Yes (at completion) |
| Credit file impact | 6 years | Noted but informal | 6 years |
| Cost | Free (court fees waived for low income) | Free (via charity) | ~£8,000+ (deducted from payments) |
| Time | Until paid (or up to 3 yr composition) | Until paid | Typically 5–6 years |
| Scotland equivalent | No — see Protected Trust Deed/DAS/MAP | DMP | Protected Trust Deed |
Applying for an Administration Order
- Get form N92 from the court or GOV.UK
- List all creditors and amounts owed — be comprehensive
- Calculate your disposable income after essential living costs
- Submit to the county court — there is currently no court fee for this application
- Attend the hearing (usually a short appointment with a court officer)
- Set up the regular payment to the court once approved
Impact on Credit File
An Administration Order is recorded on your credit file for 6 years from the date the order is made. It will appear as a county court entry. Creditors and lenders will see it during this period, which will significantly affect your ability to get new credit.
Free Advice
Before applying, contact a free debt advice organisation:
- National Debtline: 0808 808 4000 (England, Wales and Scotland)
- Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk
- StepChange: 0800 138 1111
What Debts Can Be Included in an Administration Order
An administration order can only cover unsecured debts, and there is a total debt limit of £5,000 across all included debts. Types of unsecured debt that can typically be included:
- Credit card balances
- Personal loans
- Overdrafts
- Payday loan balances
- Store card debts
- Money owed to friends or family (though courts may treat these differently)
Debts that cannot be included:
- Mortgage or secured loan arrears
- Student loan debt
- Child maintenance arrears
- Court fines
- Debts incurred by fraud
The £5,000 cap is a significant limitation — it means administration orders are only suitable for people with relatively small total debt levels. If your total unsecured debt exceeds £5,000, a Debt Relief Order, IVA, or bankruptcy may be more appropriate alternatives.
The Composition Order Variant
If the court believes you cannot repay the full amount within a reasonable time, it can issue a composition order — a variation of the administration order where the court writes off a portion of the debt. You pay what you can afford over the agreed period, and the remainder is written off at the end.
To obtain a composition order, you need to demonstrate to the court that full repayment is not achievable within a reasonable timeframe given your income and expenditure. This is particularly relevant if your debt total is close to £5,000 but your disposable income is very limited.
How an Administration Order Affects Your Credit File
An administration order is recorded on your credit file at all three credit reference agencies. It remains for 6 years from the date it is made. During this period:
- You are unlikely to be approved for new credit products
- Mortgage applications will be declined by mainstream lenders (specialist adverse lenders may consider you after the order is satisfied)
- The order will be noted on your credit file as a satisfied entry once repaid, but remains visible for the full 6 years
Alternatives to an Administration Order
| Option | Total Debt | Monthly Income Required | Credit Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administration Order | Up to £5,000 | Must cover monthly payment | 6 years on credit file |
| Debt Relief Order | Up to £30,000 | Under £75/month disposable | 6 years on credit file |
| Debt Management Plan | Any amount | Sufficient disposable income | Informal — recorded by lenders |
| IVA | Typically £10,000+ | At least £100–£200/month | 6 years on credit file |
Getting Help to Apply for an Administration Order
Applying for an administration order involves completing form N92 (Application for Administration Order) and submitting it to your local county court. The process:
- List all your qualifying debts and creditors on the form
- Submit to the county court — there is no fee for applying
- The court will notify all listed creditors and schedule a hearing
- At the hearing, the district judge reviews your income and outgoings and sets a monthly payment amount
- You pay the court each month; the court distributes payments to creditors on a pro-rata basis
Free debt advice services can help you complete the application correctly:
- Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk or via local offices
- StepChange: 0800 138 1111 — can help you choose between an administration order and other debt solutions
- National Debtline: 0808 808 4000