A CCJ is a court order which tells you to pay money you owe to a debt. You are given two weeks to respond. It is very important that you do. There is no need to panic, there are things you can do. And if you will not be able to pay it in full, you can set up a plan to pay it in stages. Read our guides to dealing with County Court judgments. Can I avoid paying a CCJ? 'Setting aside' a CCJ, this means you don't have to pay it. There is a court form you can use to do this. Read our guide to setting aside a CCJ How long does a CCJ last? They are usually on your credit file and a public register for six years. It can be harder to get credit during this time. Read our guide to how long CCJs last What happens if I ignore a CCJ? It will not go away. And you are at risk of further action being taken to recover what you owe. Read our guide to what happens if you ignore a CCJ How can I pay a CCJ? Court forms telling you what you need to do will be sent to you. You can pay it in full if you can afford to. Or, if not, set up a plan to pay it at a rate you can afford. Read our guide to paying a CCJ
Your debt might have been sold on. Or the people you owe money to may not have updated their records yet. If a debt collector gets in touch with you make sure you know your rights. Read our guides to the debt collection process What's the difference between a bailiff or sheriff officer and a debt collector? A debt collector does not have any special legal powers to collect a debt. But bailiffs and sheriff officers do as they are ordered by the court. Read our bailiffs and debt collectors guide. What can bailiffs and sheriff officers do? Enforcement agents are known as bailiffs. They must follow set rules about how they treat you and what they can take. In Scotland sheriff officers are similar. Learn about bailiffs' rights and powers. What can they take? • A bailiff will look for goods that can be sold if you don’t pay the debt. They can only take goods you own and there are some, like medicine, they cannot take because you need them. Learn more about what bailiffs can take.
We based our advice on what you told us. If something has changed it is best that we review your options.Log in to update your details. How can I reduce my spending? There may be better deals you can get on things like broadband and your mobile phone. Read our guide to saving money. How can I save money on food? Your living costs are as important as any bills you may have. You should never cut back on food but there may be ways to spend less. Read our guide to saving money on food. How can I make my money last until I get paid? Some months can seem much longer than others. And even more so if you are trying to pay off debt or keep to a tight budget. Read our guide to making money last until payday.
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