How to set aside a CCJ
If a judgment was made against you without your knowledge, or for money you do not owe, you can ask the court to cancel it. Speed matters.
Applies to: England & Wales
What to do now
- Get a copy of the judgment and the claim from the court if you do not have them.
- Write down why it should be set aside, with evidence — tenancy agreements or bills showing you lived elsewhere, proof of payment, and so on.
- Apply on form N244 straight away, with a draft defence if you dispute the debt.
When a judgment can be set aside
- It was wrongly entered — for example judgment was entered before your time to respond ran out, or after you had paid the claim in full. The court must set it aside.
- You have a real prospect of defending the claim — you do not owe the money, the amount is wrong, or the debt is statute-barred.
- There is another good reason — most often that you never received the claim because it went to an old address.
Why acting quickly matters
When deciding whether to set aside a default judgment, the court considers whether you applied promptly. Delay after you found out about the judgment weakens your application, so apply as soon as you can.
The hearing
You will normally attend a hearing to explain why the judgment should be set aside. If you do not attend, your application is likely to be refused. If the judgment is set aside, the claim usually continues and you will be able to file a defence.
If you do owe the money
If the debt is yours and you simply could not afford the payments, setting aside is not the route: change the payments instead. If you can pay in full within one month of the judgment, the CCJ can be removed from the register.
You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation.
Common questions
How much does it cost to set aside a CCJ?
GOV.UK currently states that you may have to pay a court fee of £321 to apply. If you are on a low income or receive certain benefits you can apply for help with fees.
Can I get a CCJ set aside if I never received the claim?
Often, yes. If the claim was sent to an address where you no longer lived, the court may set the judgment aside, particularly if you apply promptly once you find out and have a defence to the claim.
Is a CCJ set aside the same as paying it off?
No. Paying a CCJ in full within a month removes it from the register, and paying later marks it as satisfied. Setting aside cancels the judgment itself, usually so the claim can be decided properly.