Credit Score Basics > How long does a CCJ last?

How long does a CCJ last?

2 minute read · Updated 21st April 2024

A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is valid for 6 years. During this time it will stay on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines. It will also be visible in your credit file.

When you're applying for a loan, banks and loan companies will check this register to see if you have a CCJ against you. Even if you pay off the CCJ during this time, it will still be visible on your credit report.

After six years, it will no longer appear on your credit report – regardless of whether it has been fully paid off.

How long can a CCJ be enforced?

Now that's a different question.

Under the Limitation Act from 1980, a CCJ can only be enforced within six years of its issue. After this time, your creditor can no longer pursue you for statute-barred debt unless they are granted permission from the court to extend the CCJ.

What does "statute barred" mean?

Statute barred means that after a certain period, a debt still exists, but it cannot be enforced by a court order. It's not technically written off – just hard to collect.

After six years in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, most simple debts become statute-barred. In Scotland, there is a similar thing called "prescription." A debt that becomes prescribed basically no longer exists, and nothing can be done to collect it.

Where can I see my CCJ?

If you have a CCJ, you can see it on the Register of Judgments, Orders, and Fines. For six years after you get the CCJ, anyone can check it for a fee of £4. That, of course, includes banks and lenders.

How can I get rid of a CCJ?

There are three ways in which you can get rid of a CCJ:

You can pay the total amount within one month. It’s hard to do, but this will make the CCJ go away entirely.
After the first month, you can pay the total amount or even in instalments. The CCJ will still be visible on the report, but at least it will appear "satisfied." This is still good – it will make it easier for you to get credit.
You can just wait for the six years to pass. Of course, this is extremely risky and we can't recommend it to anyone.

Does a CCJ impact my credit score?

During the six years that a CCJ is valid, it will have a major impact on your credit score. The good part is that you can still take steps to rebuild your score.

One such way is by using a credit building tool like Wollit, which can let the credit reference agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) know that you're a trustworthy borrower and you're paying your bills on time.