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I've received a CCJ or court letter
Court letters have strict deadlines. Don't ignore them — acting quickly gives you many more options.
What to do right now
- 1Open the letter and find the date on it. Check whether it's a claim form, a judgment, or a warning letter.
- 2If it's a claim form, you usually have 14 days from the date it was served to respond.
- 3Don't ignore it. If you don't reply, the creditor can get a judgment against you automatically.
- 4Call us on 01872 859 515 with the letter in front of you.
If you've received a claim form
- You can admit the debt and offer affordable payments, dispute it, or ask for more information.
- Many claims come from the County Court Business Centre (CCBC) and can be answered online through Money Claim Online.
- Filing an acknowledgement of service gives you 28 days in total to file a full defence.
If you already have a CCJ
- A CCJ tells you how much to pay and by when.
- If you pay in full within one month, you can ask for it to be removed from the Register of Judgments.
- If you can't afford the payments ordered, you can ask the court to change them.
- In some cases — for example if you never received the claim — you can ask for the judgment to be set aside.
Useful contacts
These organisations are independent of Hand in Hand Foundation. Details can change, so check their websites.
Your next steps
- Keep every court letter together, including the envelopes.
- Work out your monthly income and essential spending so you know what you can afford.
- Speak to an adviser before the deadline on your letter.
This page is general guidance for England and Wales, not legal advice. Talk to an adviser about your own situation.