CCJs

By Pasecom Group Ltd editorial team · Reviewed 20 October 2026

This section covers county court judgments (CCJs) for unpaid business invoices owed by UK limited companies, LLPs and PLCs: how a creditor gets one, what it does and does not achieve, and how the main enforcement options compare. The guides below go into each step. This page gives you the overview first.

What a CCJ is

A CCJ is a judgment of the County Court in England and Wales ordering the debtor to pay a sum of money. For a business creditor, it usually follows a money claim for an unpaid invoice. If the company does not respond to the claim in time, you can normally request judgment in default. If it files a defence, the court allocates the claim to a track and a judge decides it, often after mediation is tried for smaller claims.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate court systems and procedures. The guides in this section are written for claims in England and Wales.

Before you issue a claim

The court expects you to have followed the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct. For a straightforward company debt that means a clear letter before action that sets out what is owed, encloses or refers to the key documents and gives the company a reasonable period to pay or respond, usually 14 days. Skipping this step can lead to cost penalties even if you win.

Check Companies House before you start. A company that is in liquidation, administration or being struck off cannot simply be sued and enforced against in the usual way. Make sure the legal name and company number on the claim match the entity you contracted with.

What a CCJ does and does not do

• It confirms, as a court order, that the company owes the judgment sum.
• It is recorded on the public Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines unless paid within one month, which can affect the company's credit rating and its ability to get supplier credit.
• It allows you to use court enforcement methods if the company still does not pay.
• It does not move any money by itself. Many creditors are surprised that a judgment is not a payment.

Enforcement options against a company

If the judgment is not paid, the main routes are:

• Writ or warrant of control: enforcement agents can take control of goods belonging to the company to sell them. Judgments of £600 or more can usually be transferred to the High Court for enforcement by a High Court Enforcement Officer.
• Third party debt order: freezes money owed to the company by someone else, most often a bank account, so it can be paid to you.
• Charging order: secures the debt against property the company owns, which can later lead to an order for sale.
• Order to obtain information: requires an officer of the company to attend court and answer questions about its finances, which helps you choose the right method.
• Statutory demand and winding-up petition: for undisputed debts of £750 or more, a serious insolvency step that should not be used as pressure on a genuinely disputed debt.

Each method has its own court fee and its own risks. Which one makes sense depends on what the company owns and whether it is still trading.

When a CCJ may not be worth pursuing

If the company has no assets, has stopped trading or is heading into insolvency, a judgment may cost more than it recovers. In that case the debt usually has to be claimed from the insolvency practitioner, and personal guarantees from directors, where they exist, may matter more than the judgment.

Using a partner before or after a CCJ

Many undisputed invoices are paid after a formal demand from a collection agency, without a claim being issued. Debt Collection UK, a trading name of PASECOM GROUP LTD (company 17139327), introduces B2B claims to independent partner agencies, who collect. The fee is 15% of what is recovered, payable only when you have been paid. We are not solicitors, we do not issue proceedings, and recovery is not guaranteed. Upload an unpaid invoice or read county court claims first.

Frequently asked questions

What is a CCJ?

A county court judgment is a court order in England and Wales that a debtor must pay a sum of money. Against a company it usually follows a money claim that the company did not defend, or that the court decided in the creditor's favour.

How long does it take to get a CCJ for an unpaid invoice?

If the debtor company does not respond, a creditor can usually ask for judgment in default once the response deadline has passed, which is 14 days after the particulars of claim are served, or 28 days if the company files an acknowledgment of service. A defended claim takes considerably longer.

Does a CCJ mean I will be paid?

No. A CCJ confirms the debt, but the court does not collect the money for you. If the company still does not pay, you have to choose and pay for an enforcement method.

How long does a CCJ stay on the register?

A judgment is normally recorded on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines for six years unless it is paid in full within one month of the judgment date, in which case it can be removed.

Can I get a CCJ against a sole trader through this service?

No. This service only accepts claims against UK limited companies, LLPs and PLCs.

What does instructing a partner cost?

The fee is 15% of what is recovered, payable only when you have been paid. Court fees and enforcement costs are separate and are explained before you decide.

Guides in this section