When a customer refuses to pay and every reasonable attempt at resolution has failed, a County Court Judgment (CCJ) is often the most effective next step. It is a formal legal tool that transforms your unpaid invoice into a court-registered debt, backed by enforcement powers that a simple demand letter will never carry.
This guide explains exactly what a CCJ is, how to obtain one, what it costs, and what options you have when the debtor still refuses to pay after judgment has been entered against them.
What Is a County Court Judgment?
A County Court Judgment is an order issued by the County Court in England and Wales directing a debtor to pay money they owe. Once a CCJ has been issued, it is registered on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, which credit reference agencies use to inform credit decisions.
The practical consequences for the debtor are significant: a CCJ makes it extremely difficult to obtain credit, a mortgage, business finance, or in some cases even a mobile phone contract for six years. This financial pressure alone often prompts payment from debtors who had previously ignored every other form of demand.
For the creditor, a CCJ converts a disputed or ignored debt into a legally enforceable obligation, opening up a range of enforcement tools that would not otherwise be available.
When to Use a CCJ
A County Court claim is appropriate when:
- The debt is clearly documented (invoice, contract, written agreement)
- The debtor has not responded to formal demand letters
- Negotiation and mediation have failed or been refused
- The debtor disputes the amount but has no credible legal defence
- You need enforceable legal authority to access the debtor’s assets or income
It is generally not the first step. A professional debt collection agency will typically exhaust pre-legal collection before recommending court action, both to avoid unnecessary costs and to give the debtor a final opportunity to settle.
How to Start a County Court Claim
For claims up to £100,000, the most efficient route is the Online Civil Money Claims service (OCMC) at www.moneyclaim.gov.uk. The process works as follows:
Step 1: Issue the claim
You submit the claim online, providing the debtor’s details, the amount owed, and a brief statement of the claim. Court fees are paid at this stage. For claims under £10,000, the case is usually allocated to the small claims track.
Step 2: Service
The court serves the claim form on the debtor by post. The debtor then has 14 days to acknowledge service and a further 14 days to file a defence, giving them up to 28 days in total to respond.
Step 3: Default judgment or defended claim
If the debtor does not respond within the deadline, you can apply for a default judgment. This is the most common outcome for undisputed commercial debts and typically takes only a few days to process.
If the debtor files a defence, the claim proceeds to a hearing. For small claims (under £10,000), hearings are informal and legal representation is not usually required, though a professional debt recovery specialist can prepare your case and attend with you.
Court Fees
Court fees in England and Wales are set by the government and are payable on issue of the claim. The current fee schedule for money claims is:
- Up to £300: £35
- £300.01 to £500: £50
- £500.01 to £1,000: £70
- £1,000.01 to £1,500: £80
- £1,500.01 to £3,000: £115
- £3,000.01 to £5,000: £205
- £5,000.01 to £10,000: £455
- Over £10,000: 5% of the claim value (capped at £10,000)
In most cases where the claim succeeds, the court fees are recoverable from the debtor as part of the judgment. You can also add statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate and claim up to £100 in debt recovery costs under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998.
What Happens After Judgment Is Entered?
Once a CCJ is entered, the debtor is ordered to pay the full amount, usually either immediately or by a specified date. Many debtors pay at this stage, particularly once they understand the credit implications.
If the debtor still does not pay, you have a range of enforcement options.
Enforcement Options After a CCJ
High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs)
For judgments over £600, you can transfer the CCJ to the High Court and instruct an HCEO to seize the debtor’s goods and assets. HCEOs have significantly wider powers than County Court bailiffs and typically achieve much higher recovery rates. The transfer is straightforward and the HCEO’s fees are recoverable from the debtor on successful enforcement.
Attachment of Earnings Order
If the debtor is employed, you can apply for an attachment of earnings order. This directs the debtor’s employer to deduct an amount from the debtor’s wages each month and pay it directly to the court, which then pays it to you. It is effective for individual debtors with stable employment.
Charging Order
A charging order places a legal charge over the debtor’s property (usually their home). It does not immediately produce payment but means that when the property is sold or remortgaged, your debt must be paid from the proceeds. You can then apply for an order for sale if the debtor refuses to sell.
Third-Party Debt Order
A third-party debt order (formerly known as a garnishee order) allows you to freeze and redirect funds held in the debtor’s bank account. If the debtor has money in their account, this can be one of the fastest enforcement routes to actual payment.
The Six-Year Limitation Period
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you have six years from the date a simple contract debt became due to issue a County Court claim. Once this period expires, the debt becomes statute-barred and you lose the right to sue for it.
This is a hard deadline, not a guideline. Debts do not disappear after six years, but the legal right to claim them does. If you have invoices that are approaching the four or five-year mark and remain unpaid, taking action promptly is important.
Commercial Debt vs. Consumer Debt
The process for recovering business-to-business (B2B) debts through the County Court is largely the same as for consumer debts, but there are some important differences:
- B2B debts are not regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 or the FCA, giving creditors more flexibility in the recovery process
- The Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998 applies only to B2B transactions, entitling creditors to statutory interest and fixed compensation
- FCA authorisation is not required for commercial debt collection agencies, though reputable agencies hold CSA membership
Should You Use a Solicitor or a Debt Collection Agency?
Both routes can lead to a County Court claim. The practical difference is in cost, speed, and expertise.
A debt collection agency can often resolve undisputed debts before legal action becomes necessary, saving court fees and delay. If court action is required, a specialist agency can prepare the claim, attend hearings, and manage enforcement — often at a lower cost than a solicitor on an hourly rate.
A solicitor is more appropriate when the debt is disputed and requires detailed legal argument, when the amount is very large, or when the debtor is also involved in related contractual disputes.
For most straightforward commercial debt recovery, a professional agency is the more cost-effective starting point.
Acting Before It Is Too Late
The longer an unpaid invoice sits unaddressed, the harder it becomes to recover. Debtors become harder to trace, assets are dissipated, and the limitation clock ticks down. Early professional intervention gives you the best chance of full recovery without the need for court action at all.
Jack Russell Debt Collection specialises in commercial debt recovery across the UK. We assess every case before recommending court action and will tell you honestly whether a CCJ is likely to produce payment. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation assessment of your outstanding debts.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Court fees and procedures may change. Always verify current fees on HMCTS.gov.uk before issuing a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a County Court Judgment (CCJ) in the UK?
A County Court Judgment is a court order issued by the County Court in England and Wales that requires a debtor to repay money they owe you. Once registered, a CCJ appears on the debtor’s credit file for six years and gives you legal authority to enforce payment using a range of enforcement tools.
How much does it cost to apply for a CCJ?
Court fees for a money claim in England and Wales range from £35 for claims up to £300, to £455 for claims between £5,001 and £10,000. Claims over £10,000 attract a fee of 5% of the claim value, up to a maximum of £10,000. These fees are usually recoverable from the debtor if the claim succeeds.
How long does a CCJ stay on the debtor’s credit record?
A County Court Judgment remains on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines for six years from the date it was issued, unless the debtor pays the full amount within one calendar month of the judgment date, in which case it can be removed (satisfied and cancelled). Partial payment after one month results in the record being marked as ‘satisfied’ but not removed.
What happens if the debtor ignores a CCJ?
If the debtor does not pay following a CCJ, you can apply to enforce the judgment. Enforcement options include instructing High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) to seize assets, applying for an attachment of earnings order, obtaining a charging order over property, or applying for a third-party debt order to freeze and redirect funds held in the debtor’s bank account.
Can I transfer a CCJ to the High Court for enforcement?
Yes. For judgments over £600, you can transfer the CCJ to the High Court and instruct a High Court Enforcement Officer. HCEOs have wider powers than County Court bailiffs and typically achieve significantly higher recovery rates. The transfer process is straightforward and involves a simple application to the court.
What is the time limit for claiming a debt through the County Court?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, most simple contract debts must be claimed within six years of the date the debt became due. For debts secured by deed, the limitation period is twelve years. Acting promptly is important: the older the debt, the harder it is to recover, and waiting too long can extinguish your legal right to claim entirely.
Does getting a CCJ guarantee I will recover the money?
A CCJ gives you the legal right to enforce payment, but it does not guarantee recovery. If the debtor has no assets, no income, and no property, enforcement may yield little. Before pursuing a CCJ, it is worth conducting a basic financial check on the debtor to assess whether they have assets worth pursuing. A professional debt recovery agency can carry out this assessment before advising on the best course of action.
