If you have ever had a county court judgment (CCJ) or high court judgment (HCJ) issued against you, your details may be on the official statutory Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines.
This public register is managed by the Registry Trust on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and contains information about individuals with CCJs or HCJs.
The Registry Trust also maintains similar registers for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Being on the register can have consequences, but there is a way to remove your details without affecting your credit score.
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Yvonne: “It’s scary how quickly debts can build up. I never thought this would happen to my family.”
Customer monthly repayments before and after entering a Trust Deed
Repayments reduced by 70%
What is the Public Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines?
The Register is a public record of judgments, orders, and fines made by relevant courts in England and Wales. It is maintained by the Registry Trust, a not-for-profit company that manages all records of insolvency in England and Wales, and is accessible to the public.
The Register includes information on County Court Judgments (CCJs) and High Court Money Judgments (HCJs) that have been issued against individuals or businesses who have failed to pay their debts, as well as the related claimant information.
When a creditor applies for a judgment, the court will issue a judgment claim form to the debtor, specifying the amount owed, the payment deadline, and the payment method.
If the debtor fails to respond within 14 days, the court may impose a repayment plan that is outside of their means, leading to further debt and court action.
The Register is an important tool for enforcing judgments and ensuring that debts are repaid. It allows individuals and businesses to check the creditworthiness of potential partners and customers, and it enables enforcement agents to locate debtors and seize their assets if necessary.
While the Register will only service England and Wales, there are similar registers available in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What Details Are on The Register?
The register contains information about judgments, orders, and fines against individuals or companies. The following details are stored:
- Full name
- Last known address
- Date of birth
- Date of judgment
- Claim number of judgment
- Sum of debt owed
- Status of the judgment
To access this information, you can search the public register and obtain a certificate for a fee. The fees are set by the registry trust and include a court fee.
The claimant or defendant can request evidence to support the judgment and may be required to pay costs.
How Long Are Details Kept On The Register?
If you have a CCJ or HCJ, it will remain on your credit report for six years from the date it was issued. Even if you repay money owed in full, the judgment will still stay on your credit report.
This can make it difficult for you to borrow money or get credit, and it will raise interest rates on any credit you can get.
However, if you pay your debt within one month, the judgment will be removed from your credit report.
You can also apply for a certificate of satisfaction or cancellation with the court for a small fee. Once the court approves that you have paid your debt off, the judgment will then be removed from the register.
It is important to note that the original judgment will not be revised or altered in any way. Instead, the satisfaction details will be added to the register to show that the judgment has been fully repaid.
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Who Can Access the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines?
The Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines is a public record that can be accessed by anyone who wishes to do so.
This register contains information about judgments, orders and fines that have been issued by courts in England and Wales.
If you are an individual or a business, you can access the register to find out if there are any outstanding judgments, orders or fines against you or your business.
This information can be useful if you are applying for credit or a loan, as it can affect the decision of the lender; they will normally check the Register as well as asking for voluntary information like a bank statement or statement taken from your credit history.
In addition to individuals and businesses, certain organizations are also able to access the register. These include:
- Credit reference agencies
- Debt collection agencies
- Solicitors and legal professionals
- Government agencies, such as the police, HM Revenue and Customs, and other relevant authorities
It is important to note that immediate access to the register is not free. There is a fee associated with accessing the register, which varies depending on the type of search you require.
If you are a member of the public, you can access the register through the website of the Registry Trust Limited.
If you are a legal professional, you can access the register through the website of the Ministry of Justice.
It is also possible to access the register in person at certain courts and tribunals. However, this is not recommended, as it can be time-consuming and may not be cost-effective.
In summary, the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines is a public record that can be accessed by individuals, businesses, and certain organizations. Access to the register is not free, and there is a fee associated with accessing the register. It is recommended to access the register online through the website of the Registry Trust Limited or the Ministry of Justice.
Is There Any Way To Remove My Details From The Register?
If you have paid off your debt within one month of receiving a CCJ/HCJ, you have the option to apply for a certificate of satisfaction and provide proof of payment using form N443.
This certificate will indicate that the debt has been paid in full, and the court will contact the Registry Trust to remove your details from the register.
In this case, your CCJ/HCJ will be removed from the register, and it will be as though it never existed.
However, if you pay your debt off after one month, your details will remain on the register for six years.
In such a scenario, you can still apply for a certificate of satisfaction, which will change the judgment status to “satisfied.” This can make a difference if you choose to apply for credit within the time your details are on the register.
If you receive a default judgment CCJ/HCJ, you can apply to have it cancelled or “set aside” using form N244.
You must be able to prove that you were either not aware of the judgment, that it was issued in error, or that you had a valid reason to miss the judgment hearing.
Setting aside the judgment will remove it from the register. However, it doesn’t clear your debts and only cancels the judgment.
You will still be required to pay your creditors, but now you have another opportunity to fill out the judgment claim form.
It’s important to note that if you fail to acknowledge this new judgment form, you will have another default judgment entered against you.
In summary, if you pay off your debt within one month of receiving a CCJ/HCJ, you can apply for a certificate of satisfaction and have your details removed from the register.
If you pay your debt off after one month, your details will remain on the register for six years, but you can still apply for a certificate of satisfaction. If you receive a default judgment CCJ/HCJ, you can apply to have it cancelled or set aside, which will remove it from the register.
How Will Being on the Register Impact You?
Having your details on the register can have a significant impact on your credit rating, which can affect your financial standing.
If you have a money judgment against you, it will be visible on your credit report, and credit grantors and commercial organisations will take it into account when assessing your eligibility for credit. This can make it difficult to obtain a mortgage or credit card.
It’s important to note that the register of Judgments, Orders and Fines is a public online database, which means that anyone can access it.
This includes employers and landlords, who may use it to assess your monetary dependability. Therefore, having a judgment against you can impact your ability to secure a job or a rental property.
It’s not uncommon for people to only become aware of default county court judgments when applying for new lines of credit, sometimes years after they were issued.
This delay can make it difficult to rectify the situation and can have long-term consequences for your credit rating.
In summary, having a judgment against you can impact your credit rating and financial standing, as well as affect your ability to secure employment or rental property.
It’s important to take steps to address any judgments against you as soon as possible to minimize their impact.
A Recap on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines
If you have a County Court Judgment (CCJ) or High Court Judgment (HCJ) against you, your details will be listed on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines.
This can negatively affect your credit rating. However, if you settle your debts within one month, the impact will be reduced.
If you cannot pay your debts immediately, your details will be available on the register for six years from the issue date.
It is advisable to pay off your debt as soon as possible, as having a judgment marked as satisfied will improve your eligibility for other credit services.
If you are unsure about whether you have a CCJ or HCJ against you, you can query the register for more information.
If you need further assistance, you can contact Citizens Advice for guidance on how to deal with your debts.
