How to Remove a Default CCJ From Your Credit File

Finding a default County Court Judgment (CCJ) on your credit record can be devastating. It instantly tanks your credit score, making it nearly impossible to secure a mortgage, rent a home, obtain a car on finance, or even open a business bank account.

However, if you did not receive the original court paperwork because it was sent to an old address, or if you paid the debt in full within 30 days, you have legal options to get it removed. This guide explains exactly how to clean up your credit record.

Method 1: The Paid-in-Full "30-Day Rule"

If you paid the full amount of the judgment within one calendar month of the judgment date, you are legally entitled to have the CCJ completely erased from the public register.

To do this, you must apply to the court for a Certificate of Cancellation. You will need to fill out Form N443 and provide proof of payment (such as a bank statement or a receipt from the claimant). Once the court processes this, they will notify the credit reference agencies, and the judgment will vanish from your file as if it never existed.

Method 2: Setting Aside a CCJ (Form N244)

If you only discovered the CCJ months or years later—often because the claimant sent the court letters to a previous address—you cannot get it removed simply by paying it. Instead, you must apply to have the judgment "set aside."

Setting aside a CCJ means the court cancels the original default judgment. The claim is reset back to the beginning, which instantly removes the CCJ mark from your credit report. You then have the chance to either dispute the claim or negotiate a settlement with the claimant directly.

The Step-by-Step Process to File a Set-Aside

1. Investigate the Claim: Contact the County Court Business Centre (CCBC) to find out who the claimant is, the claim number, and what address the papers were sent to.
2. Draft Form N244: This is the official Application Notice. You must clearly request that the default judgment be set aside under Civil Procedure Rule 13.3.
3. Write a Witness Statement: This is the most critical document. You must explain your "good reason" for not responding (e.g., proof you had moved house, utility bills, tenancy agreements) and outline an arguable defense to the original debt.
4. Submit and Pay the Fee: File the paperwork with the court. The current court fee for a non-consent set-aside is £303 (unless you qualify for a fee waiver / Help with Fees).