How to dispute or remove a CCJ from your credit file
A CCJ on your credit file is serious. It tells lenders that a court had to order you to repay a debt — and that’s about as bad as it gets for your credit.
But don’t panic. There are legitimate ways to get a CCJ removed or updated. Paid within one calendar month? It can be wiped completely. Didn’t know about it? You might be able to get it set aside. And if it’s older than six years, it should already be gone.
Key takeaways
- Paid within 1 calendar month? You can get the CCJ completely removed (Form N443, £19 fee).
- Paid after 1 month? It stays for 6 years but gets marked “satisfied”.
- Never received the court papers? Apply to set it aside (Form N244, £303 fee).
- Over 6 years old? It must be removed automatically.
- CCJs only apply in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland — Scotland has a different system.
Paid within a month? You can get it wiped
If you pay the full CCJ amount within one calendar month of the judgement date, you can have it completely removed from both the Register of Judgments and your credit file.
To do this, apply for a Certificate of Cancellation using Form N443. The fee is £19 (payable by cheque to HMCTS). You’ll need proof of payment (bank statement or receipt).
Processing takes approximately two weeks. Once cancelled from the Register, the CRAs are notified and remove it from your credit file.
This is an absolute deadline — there is no extension. If you pay on day 32, you can only get a Certificate of Satisfaction, not Cancellation.
Paid after one month? It stays, but gets updated
If you pay the full amount after the one-month window, the CCJ stays on the Register for six years but is marked as “satisfied”. This looks better to lenders than an unsatisfied CCJ.
Apply using the same Form N443, same £19 fee. The Registry Trust notifies the CRAs, who update your credit file to show the CCJ as satisfied.
Important: paying the debt doesn’t automatically update the Register. You must submit Form N443 yourself.
Didn’t know about the CCJ? You can challenge it
If you believe the CCJ shouldn’t have been issued, you can apply to have it set aside. Common grounds include not receiving the court papers (they were sent to an old address), having a genuine legal defence to the claim, or the claim being brought improperly.
Apply using Form N244. The court fee is £303. You may need to attend a private hearing. You must show you have a real prospect of successfully defending the claim.
If the court sets aside the CCJ, it’s removed from the Register and should be removed from your credit file.
Over six years old? It should already be gone
CCJs are automatically removed from the Register of Judgments after six years from the date of the judgement. CRAs should also remove them automatically.
If a CCJ older than six years is still showing on your credit file, contact the CRA to request removal. This is a data retention error and should be resolved quickly.
Where to send your dispute
Experian: Submit a dispute through your free account. Post to Consumer Help Service, PO Box 9000, Nottingham, NG80 7WP. Phone: 0344 481 8000.
Equifax: Use the Online Help portal. Select “Public Information (Bankruptcy/CCJ/IVA)”. Phone: 0800 014 2955.
TransUnion: Use transunionstatreport.co.uk or Credit Karma. Phone: 0330 024 7574.
What you’ll need to prove it
For payment within one month: Proof of payment (bank statement, receipt) and your Certificate of Cancellation (Form N443).
For payment after one month: Proof of payment and Certificate of Satisfaction.
For setting aside: Court order setting aside the CCJ.
For CCJs over six years: Your credit report showing the date — no additional evidence needed.
Evidence checklist
- Proof of payment (bank statement or receipt)
- Certificate of Cancellation or Satisfaction (Form N443)
- Court order (if CCJ was set aside)
- Credit report showing the CCJ date (if over 6 years)
Sample dispute letter: CCJ
Dispute this with your CRA
Each agency has a different process. Pick yours for a step-by-step guide:
FAQs
How long does a CCJ stay on your file?
Six years from the date of the judgement. But if you paid in full within one calendar month, it can be removed entirely. That one-month window is crucial.
What does it cost to get a CCJ removed?
£19 for a Certificate of Cancellation or Satisfaction (Form N443). If you need to set aside a CCJ, the court fee is £303 (Form N244).
I didn’t even know I had a CCJ. Can I still get it removed?
Possibly. If court papers were sent to an old address and you never received them, you can apply to set aside the CCJ using Form N244. You’ll need to show you have a genuine defence to the original claim.
How badly does a CCJ hit my credit score?
Badly. A CCJ is one of the most damaging marks you can have. It makes getting approved for most credit products very difficult, especially in the first two years.
Do CCJs apply in Scotland?
No. CCJs are an England, Wales, and Northern Ireland thing. Scotland has its own legal system with Decrees.
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