Ignoring a CCJ Will Result in What?
Ignoring a CCJ won’t make it disappear. In the event that you don’t pay the debt, it will remain on your credit file for six years.
You may face problems if you ignore a County Court judgment (CCJ). Pay it off, challenge it, or make affordable payments if you ignore the instructions in the claims pack, including the N9a form.
CCJs can be prevented from appearing on your credit history if you pay the full amount owed if you respond to CCJ letters promptly.
I Have a CCJ and I Haven’t Paid. What Happens Next?
The court can take further action to recover the money if you don’t pay what’s owed, or if you’re working and don’t make an arrangement to pay. Bailiffs may be called in to collect the money, or installments may be taken directly from your wages if you are.
You can instruct bailiffs to collect CCJ debts on behalf of the person or company you owe money to. When bailiffs have a controlled goods agreement in place, they can visit your property and remove and sell goods to pay off debts.
The amount owed in a CCJ can be recovered in a variety of ways, including instructing bailiffs. Creditors can:
- With an attachment of earnings order, you can take money directly from your earnings
- Third-party debt orders can be used to freeze your bank account
- Using a charging order, you can make money from the sale of property or shares
- Your creditor can file for bankruptcy if you fail to repay what you owe over £5,000
It is possible for the court to order you to attend a hearing to discuss your income and your ability to pay the debt. Courts will find you in civil contempt if you fail to attend this hearing and may order you to pay what you owe immediately – although this is the last resort and very rare.
Bailiffs and the County Court Enforce CCJs
The bailiff should give you another opportunity to pay what’s owed when they contact you, whether by phone or by visiting you. Payment plans are also available from many bailiffs.
A court order (referred to as a controlled goods agreement) is required before they can steal a controlled good from you. This is not likely to happen on their first visit to your home.
A liability order may be granted if a CCJ is being used to collect arrears of council tax or child maintenance. In other words, you can be visited by debt collection agents appointed by the court. Your wages will also be taken directly from your paycheck if you fail to make payments.
Judgments and Earnings Orders Attached
Money owed to the court can also be recovered through an attachment of an earnings order. They can deduct money from your wages under this type of order.
Upon hearing about this, a ‘statement of means’, N56 form, will be sent to you. You need to respond to this statement of means.
The court will be able to deduct a fixed amount from your income based on this order.
CCJs and Charging Orders
Alternatively, creditors can use charging orders to secure debts against your home or other property.
The risk of losing your home increases if you ignore a charging order.
You can contact us for free and impartial debt advice if you’re worried about not being able to pay your CCJ or other debts.
What Are the Effects of Ignoring a CCJ on My Credit File?
In the absence of immediate payment, CCJs remain on your credit file for six years. Judgments of County Courts are also recorded there.
You will have a significantly lower credit score during this time. It is possible that lenders, employers, and letting agencies will check your credit report before lending to you, offering employment, or renting you an apartment.
As long as your credit file has a CCJ, you may need a guarantor to get credit and rent.
If a CCJ Remains Unpaid Six Years After It Was Issued, What Happens?
After six years, your credit file and the Register will be cleared of the CCJ.
