Last reviewed: June 2026
TL;DR- A CCJ (county court judgment) is a court order confirming an unpaid debt - it remains on the credit file for six years from the date of judgment.
- Mainstream lenders typically decline applications where a CCJ is present on the file; specialist adverse credit lenders assess case by case.
- A satisfied CCJ (debt paid in full) is treated more favourably than an unsatisfied one, but the judgment mark still remains for six years.
- The value of the CCJ, how recent it is and whether it has been satisfied are the key factors in specialist lender assessment.
What Is a CCJ?
A county court judgment (CCJ) is a court order made in England and Wales confirming that a borrower owes a debt to a creditor and has not paid it when required. CCJs can be issued by county courts for unpaid debts of any amount. Once registered, the CCJ appears on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines (maintained by Registry Trust) and on the borrower's credit file. It remains on the credit file for six years from the date the judgment was made, regardless of whether the debt is subsequently paid.
Scotland has a different system - a decree is the Scottish equivalent of an English CCJ. Northern Ireland uses a separate court system. The principles for mortgage assessment are broadly similar but specialist advice in the relevant jurisdiction is recommended.
How CCJs Affect Mortgage Applications
Mainstream mortgage lenders use automated credit scoring that flags any CCJ on the credit file and typically results in an automatic decline. The presence of a CCJ signals that the borrower previously failed to repay a debt to the point where a creditor pursued court action. This is treated as a significant adverse credit event. The severity in lender assessment depends on: the amount of the judgment; whether it is satisfied or unsatisfied; how recently it was registered; and what other adverse events are on the file alongside it.
Satisfied vs Unsatisfied CCJs
If a CCJ is paid in full within one calendar month of being issued, it can be cancelled (set aside) and removed from the Register of Judgments. This is the best outcome - the CCJ disappears as if it never happened. If the debt is paid more than one month after the judgment, the CCJ is updated to "satisfied" status on the Register but remains on the credit file for the full six years. A satisfied CCJ is treated more favourably by specialist lenders than an unsatisfied one, but neither is treated as a clean credit record. Borrowers with outstanding unsatisfied CCJs should consider whether paying the debt would improve their mortgage options before applying.
Specialist Lender Assessment Criteria
Specialist adverse credit mortgage lenders assess CCJ applications by considering: the number of CCJs on the file; the aggregate value of all CCJs; whether each is satisfied or unsatisfied; the date of the most recent CCJ; and the rest of the credit profile. Some specialist lenders will consider a single satisfied CCJ below £500 registered more than three years ago on an otherwise clean file; others require all CCJs to be satisfied and at least two years old. Criteria vary significantly between specialist lenders and change with market conditions. A specialist mortgage broker with adverse credit experience is the most effective route to identifying current lender availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a CCJ removed from my credit file before six years?
A CCJ can be removed (set aside) before six years only if it is paid within one calendar month of the judgment date. After that point, it remains for the full six years regardless of payment. It can also be set aside by the court if it was issued in error - for example, if the debt did not exist or was already paid, or if the court papers were sent to an old address and the borrower was unaware of the proceedings. An application to set aside on procedural grounds requires a county court application and is assessed on the specific facts.
What deposit do I need with a CCJ?
Specialist lenders accepting CCJ applications typically require larger deposits than mainstream lenders. Minimum deposits of 15-25% are common, depending on the value and recency of the CCJ. More recent or unsatisfied CCJs require larger deposits - some specialist lenders require 25-30% for CCJs registered within the last 12-24 months. As the CCJ ages and is satisfied, lender options improve and deposit requirements reduce.
Will the lender contact the court about my CCJ?
Lenders obtain CCJ information from the credit reference agencies, which access the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines maintained by Registry Trust. The lender does not typically contact the court directly - the CRA data is the primary source. Borrowers can check the Register of Judgments themselves at Trust Online to verify what is recorded.
Do CCJs in Scotland (decrees) affect English mortgage applications?
Scottish decrees are recorded on credit files by UK credit reference agencies in the same way as English CCJs. They are visible to mortgage lenders in England and are assessed as adverse credit events in the same way as English CCJs. A decree from a Scottish court does not affect the English Register of Judgments (which is separate) but will appear on the credit file regardless of where in the UK the mortgage application is made.
