How Long Does a CCJ Last? (UK 2026)

How Long Does a CCJ Last?

A County Court Judgment stays on the public Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines for six years from the date it was issued. The only exception is if the full amount is paid within one calendar month of the judgment date — in that case, the entry is removed from the register entirely.

Those six years affect both the public record and the debtor's credit file. During that period, lenders, landlords, and employers who carry out credit checks can see the judgment. Understanding exactly how the timeline works — and what actions can change it — is the focus of this overview.

What Is the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines?

The Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines is a public database maintained under the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines Regulations 2005. Anyone can search it for a small fee. Credit reference agencies — including Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — also access it automatically and record CCJs on individual credit files.

A CCJ appears on the register as soon as a County Court issues it. The entry shows the court name, the claim number, the amount of the judgment, the date it was issued, and whether it has been satisfied or set aside. It does not disappear automatically when the debt is paid — the status updates, but the entry remains for the full six-year period unless the judgment is cancelled or paid within the first month.

When Can a CCJ Be Removed Before Six Years?

Paying in full within one calendar month

If the full judgment amount — including any court costs awarded — is paid within one calendar month of the judgment date, the debtor can apply to the court for a Certificate of Cancellation. This results in the entry being removed from the register completely, not merely marked as satisfied. The credit file is then updated accordingly.

It is important to note that the one-month window runs from the date of the judgment itself, not from the date the debtor first became aware of it. People who did not receive the original claim form in time sometimes find they have already passed this deadline. In those circumstances, applying to have the judgment set aside may be the appropriate step — but that involves a separate court process and specific legal criteria.

Applying to have the judgment set aside

A court has the discretion to set aside (cancel) a CCJ if the debtor can show a real prospect of successfully defending the original claim, or if there was a procedural irregularity — for example, the claim was sent to an old address and the debtor never had the chance to respond. An application to set aside is made on Form N244 and a court fee applies.

If the court agrees to set aside the judgment, the entry is removed from the register. This is distinct from a judgment being marked 'satisfied' — a set-aside removes the record entirely, as though the judgment was never made.

What Happens if the CCJ Is Paid After One Month?

If the debt is paid in full more than one month after the judgment date, the debtor can apply for a Certificate of Satisfaction. This updates the register entry to show 'satisfied', but the entry itself stays visible for the remainder of the six-year period. Lenders and credit reference agencies will see that the judgment exists and that it has been paid — but the record does not disappear.

This distinction matters in practice. A satisfied CCJ is generally viewed more favourably by lenders than an unsatisfied one, but it still signals a history of unresolved debt that reached court. Some mortgage lenders, for example, require all CCJs to be satisfied and a certain period to have elapsed before they will consider an application.

How a CCJ Affects Credit During the Six Years

Credit reference agencies record CCJs as soon as they appear on the register. The impact on a credit score is typically significant — the judgment signals to lenders that a debt was not settled before legal action was required. This can affect applications for mortgages, credit cards, car finance, and even some bank accounts during the six-year period.

The effect tends to lessen over time, particularly if the judgment has been satisfied and no further negative information has been recorded. A CCJ from five years ago, marked satisfied, will usually have less weight in a lender's assessment than a recent unsatisfied judgment — though individual lenders set their own criteria and there is no universal rule.

Once the six years have passed, the CCJ drops off the credit file automatically. No action is required — credit reference agencies remove it as a matter of course when the retention period expires.

Enforcement After a CCJ Is Issued

A CCJ is not just a credit record — it is also the legal gateway to enforcement. A creditor who holds a CCJ can apply to the court for various enforcement methods if the debt remains unpaid. These include:

• Warrant of control — County Court bailiffs (enforcement agents) can attend the debtor's home or business to take goods.
• Attachment of earnings order — deductions are taken directly from wages by the employer.
• Third party debt order — money held in a bank account can be frozen and paid to the creditor.
• Charging order — a charge is placed on a property, securing the debt against any equity.

Creditors generally have six years from the date of a CCJ to enforce it through a warrant of control, after which they may need the court's permission to proceed. For charging orders, the rules differ. The six-year limitation period for enforcing a debt judgment is set out in the Limitation Act 1980, which governs England and Wales.

CCJs in Scotland and Northern Ireland

County Court Judgments are specific to England and Wales. Scotland uses a different legal system — debts are pursued through the Sheriff Court, and the equivalent is a decree. The prescription period in Scotland is five years under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, and different enforcement rules apply.

Northern Ireland also has its own court system. People based in Scotland or Northern Ireland dealing with debt judgments should seek advice from advisers familiar with those jurisdictions, as the rules differ materially from those in England and Wales.

Common Questions About CCJ Duration

Does a CCJ disappear automatically after six years?

Yes. Once the six-year period from the date of the judgment has passed, the entry is removed from the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines automatically. Credit reference agencies also remove it from the credit file without any action being required. There is no application to make — the removal happens as a matter of law.

Can a CCJ come back after six years?

No. Once the six-year period has elapsed and the entry has been removed, it does not reappear. However, if the creditor obtained a charging order before that point, the charge on any property may remain in place even after the CCJ has dropped off the register. It is worth checking the Land Registry if there is any concern about a charging order on a property.

What if the CCJ was registered at an old address?

A CCJ is still legally valid even if the debtor did not receive the original paperwork, provided the creditor sent it to the last known address. In this situation, it may be possible to apply to the court to have the judgment set aside on the basis that there was no opportunity to respond. Whether the court agrees depends on the specific facts and whether the debtor can demonstrate a real prospect of defending the claim. This is a legal matter — speaking to a regulated debt adviser or solicitor is the appropriate step.

Does paying a CCJ improve a credit score immediately?

Paying in full updates the register entry to 'satisfied', and credit reference agencies reflect this change — typically within a few weeks of the Certificate of Satisfaction being issued. Whether this improves a credit score depends on the scoring model used by each agency and lender. A satisfied judgment is generally viewed more favourably than an unsatisfied one, but the entry itself remains for the remainder of the six-year period.