If a CCJ was made without you knowing about it — often because the paperwork went to an old address — you can apply to have it 'set aside'. This means the judgment is cancelled and the creditor has to start the process again, giving you a chance to defend it.
You need to act quickly and show you have a real prospect of defending the claim, or that there is another good reason to reopen it. There's a court fee, though this can be reduced or waived on low income.
If the debt isn't yours (for example, mistaken identity or fraud), get the original creditor to confirm this in writing before applying to court — it strengthens the application significantly.
Related reading
County Court Judgments (CCJs)
What a CCJ actually means — and what it doesn't
A CCJ isn't automatic enforcement. It's a court's confirmation that a debt exists, and it opens up further steps if unpaid.
ReadCounty Court Judgments (CCJs)
Setting aside a CCJ: when it's possible
In limited cases you can ask the court to cancel a judgment altogether.
ReadBailiffs & Enforcement
Your rights when a bailiff is at the door
Bailiffs work under a tightly regulated process. Doors do not have to be opened. Payment can almost always be negotiated.
ReadBailiffs & Enforcement
Vulnerability and bailiffs — the extra protections you have
If you (or someone in your household) is vulnerable, bailiffs must take extra steps — and often must stop entirely.
Read