In England and Wales,[1] County Court judgments (CCJs) are legal decisions handed down by the County Court.[2] Judgments for monetary sums are entered on the statutory Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines,[3] which is checked by credit reference agencies to assess the credit-worthiness of individuals.[4]
An alleged debtor is sent postal notification of an impending County Court case, and has fourteen days to respond, by paying the money, admitting owing a smaller sum, denying owing it, or going to a court hearing.[5] If there is no response judgement will be granted against the debtor.[citation needed]
If the debtor does not make payment in response to a CCJ, the creditor may apply for a charging order, which would secure the debt on a property. Creditors can also apply for an attachment of earnings which would oblige the debtor's employer to deduct monies from their salary and send them to the court. A third-party debt order would oblige a third party who holds money belonging to the debtor (for example a bank) to pay the debt. It is also possible to have the court appoint a County Court bailiff to collect the debt.[6]