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Court claim forms and processes

i England and Wales only.

N244 and N245 County Court forms. CCJ help.

A County Court judgment (CCJ) is a court order making you repay a debt. You need to use the right County Court form and respond as quickly as you can.

There are different forms to fill in if you want to set aside (cancel) a CCJ or vary (change) a CCJ. The process of varying a CCJ depends on who set the amount and the type of judgment you received.


  • If you want to cancel a CCJ: You need to apply with form N244.
  • If you want to change the payment rate decided by your creditors: You need to apply with form N245.
  • If you want to change the payment rate decided by the court: You need to apply with form N244.

Read our guides to:


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Setting aside a CCJ: Form N244

You might be able to do this if:

  • You did not know about the CCJ
  • The creditor did not follow the right process

When a CCJ is set aside, it is cancelled. It is also removed from your credit history.

signpost iconFind out more about how to set aside a CCJ.

How do I use form N244 to set aside a CCJ?

1. Complete form N244

Explain why the CCJ should be set aside.

2. Return the form to the court

3. Pay the £303 court fee


You may be able to get help paying this fee if you are on a low income.

4. Let the creditor know you are doing this


If you did not respond to the original claim form:

Explain why you did not respond in time.

Give some background information, like:


  • You have been ill
  • Another reason why there was a delay in applying for the CCJ to be set aside

If you do not agree with the amount claimed:

Explain why and give some evidence to back up your claim. Add copies of anything that supports your argument, like bank statements.

Get in touch with us if you are worried about how to deal with a CCJ and other debts you have. We are here for you with free and confidential debt advice.

How do I complete form N244?

Follow our guide to filling in the N244 court form

In the information box in the top-right hand corner you can find:


  • The name of the court
  • Claim number
  • Warrant number
  • Claimant’s name (the Claimant is the creditor)
  • You are the Defendant and you add today’s date

Question 1: 
State your name again here

Question 2:
Tick ‘Defendant’ and add ‘N/A’ to the box next to ‘If you are a legal representative whom do you represent?’

Question 3:
Explain why the CCJ was raised against you and why you are applying for it to be set aside

Question 4:
Tick ‘Yes’ – you will need to send a copy of the CCJ that was sent to you with the completed N244 form

Question 5:
Tick ‘at a hearing’

Question 6:
Enter ‘15 minutes’

Question 7:
Enter ‘N/A’

Question 8:
Enter ‘District’

Question 9:
Enter the Claimant’s name here.


  • This is the creditor who raised the CCJ
  • You should also add their address. You can find this on letters they send you or their website.

Question 10:
Tick ‘the evidence set out in the box below’

Include any supporting information in box, like:


  • You are offering to make contractual payments at a rate you can afford
  • You have had debt advice from StepChange or another advice provider
  • Any consequences of the judgment being carried out. For example, you would be at risk of eviction

Add in any paperwork you have that support your application.

This could be:


  • Emails or letters from your creditor
  • Anything that shows their claim is not valid

Question 11:
Add information about any vulnerabilities you have.


  • If you are vulnerable, tick 'yes' and add supporting information in the box
  • You can also explain any support or adjustments you want the court to consider

Use the N244 Notes for guidance (pdf) for more help filling out the N244 form.

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Worried about a CCJ?

Free, online debt advice is available 24/7.

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Varying a CCJ: Form 244

Varying a CCJ means asking the court to change the amounts you pay if they are too high. You can apply for variation at any time if your circumstances change and the court set the rate of payment.

You will need form N244 if the court set the rate of payment.

Find out how to use form N245 if the creditors set the rate of payment.

How do I use form N244 to vary a CCJ?

1. Complete form N244

Follow our guide to completing form N244.

In question 3, explain why you want to change the payment amount. It could be a change in circumstance, like:

  • Someone in your household lost their job
  • There are more dependents in the household
  • You need to make payments to a priority debt

2. Return the form to the court

3. Pay the £15 court fee

If you are on a low income, you may be able to get help paying this fee.

Varying a CCJ: Form N245

You will need to use form N245 if the creditors set the rate of payment. But there is a court fee of £15 to do this.

If you are on a low income, you can apply for help paying the court fee online and find out if you qualify.

You can use form N245 to apply for a varying of your CCJ if:

  • You did not reply to the claim form
  • You replied admitting the claim, but did not make an offer to pay
  • You replied admitting the claim, and the creditor accepted your offer of payment
  • You defended the claim but lost

How do I use form N245 to vary a CCJ?

1. Fill in court form N245

It is similar to the N9a admission form you got when your creditor started court action.

You need to fill in details of:

  • Your income
  • Living costs
  • Debts
  • An offer of payment

Explain what you can afford to pay based on:

  • Your household income, and
  • Your household spending

You may find our video handy for filling in the main sections of form N245.


2. Complete a budget along with the N245 form

Making a budget proves to the court that you are offering what you can afford.

3. Send the form to the court

4. Pay the £15 court fee

If you are on a low income, you may be able to get help paying this fee.

What happens after I return the form?

The court sends the N245 form to the creditor to see if they agree with the new amount.

The court decides a fair payment if they do not agree. This is usually done without a hearing.

The court writes to you with details of the new payment amount. Keep up with the new payments if you agree.

You still need to pay even if you do not agree. There can be more enforcement action if you do not.

If this happens:

  • You need to keep paying the amount set in the original CCJ judgment letter
  • Do this until the court writes to you with details of the new payments
  • This could take a few weeks
worried woman reading paperwork

Worried about a CCJ?

Free, online debt advice is available 24/7.

Get debt help now

"They were so kind, they listened patiently and helped me through the process" Alison, Kent