How do I get a CCJ?

• You do not pay a bill, a loan, an invoice etc

• You receive a formal demand for payment from the creditor

• You ignore the demand

• The creditor sends you a ‘Claim Form’ (previously a Summons) demanding payment within 14 days or your defence in writing (following court rules)

• You ignore the Claim Form

• The creditor asks the court to enter a Default Judgment (the CCJ)

• The court send you the CCJ giving you 28 days to pay

• You ignore the CCJ

• When the 28 days expire, the CCJ will be on your record for 6 years

If you have a genuine reason to disagree with a CCJ you can ask the court not to apply it straight away ('set it aside'). You may have to pay a fee for this. If you don't have a genuine reason, your application could be treated as wasting court time or even perjury - serious offences that can incur fines and prison sentences.

If the judgment is set aside, things go back to the start of the claim. You have another chance to reply to the Claim Form, and explain your situation. The CCJ is taken off the County Court Register until a new judgment is made.