Story
Can a CCJ Affect My Job Application?
Aug 18, 2025
Applying for a new job and worried about a County Court Judgment (CCJ)? Here’s when a CCJ can impact your career — and how to remove it if it was issued unfairly.
You’re applying for a new job.
The interview goes well.
Then suddenly, you hear back: “We regret to inform you…”
If you’ve got a County Court Judgment (CCJ) on your credit file — especially one you didn’t even know about — it might be silently killing your career opportunities.
So, can a CCJ really affect your job application?
✅ Yes — in certain industries and roles, a CCJ can disqualify you, especially where financial trust, public service, or security clearance is required.
When does a CCJ matter for employment?
Not every job will care about a CCJ. But many employers do perform credit checks — and in some sectors, having a CCJ on your record may raise serious concerns.
You’re more likely to be affected if you work in or apply for roles in:
💼 Financial services (e.g. banks, lenders, fintechs)
🔐 Security and government roles (DBS clearance, SC or DV clearance)
📊 Accounting or audit firms (e.g. Big 4 or regulatory bodies)
⚖️ Legal sector jobs
👮 Police or civil service roles
💳 FCA-regulated firms (e.g. mortgage advisers, compliance)
These employers often use pre-employment screening that includes credit and background checks. A CCJ can trigger concerns about financial responsibility, integrity, or even vulnerability to coercion.
Will they always reject me?
No — a CCJ isn’t an automatic “no.”
But in competitive roles or sensitive positions, it can be the deciding factor.Even in less regulated jobs, a CCJ may still affect:
- Getting security clearance
- Passing internal HR policies
- Being allowed to handle money or customer data
In some industries, you are required by law or regulation to disclose a CCJ — and not doing so can be grounds for dismissal.
What if I didn’t know about the CCJ?
This happens all the time.
CCJs are often issued without proper notice, especially if:
The claim was sent to an old address
The creditor had incorrect information
You were never served the court papers
If that’s the case, you might be able to apply to set aside the judgment — and have it completely removed from your credit file.
Can I remove a CCJ to improve my job chances?
Yes — and this is the smart move.
If the CCJ was issued without proper service, under CPR 13.2, the court must set it aside.
Even if it was served correctly but you had a valid defence, you can still apply under CPR 13.3.
Once set aside:
✅ The CCJ disappears from your credit file
✅ You don’t need to disclose it to employers
✅ It won’t show up in pre-employment checks
✅ You’ve got a clean slate
Now What
If you’re job-hunting with a CCJ:
Check your credit report (Experian, Credit Karma, Equifax)
Get details of the CCJ — date, court, amount, address used
Request a Subject Access Request (SAR) from the creditor
Review if it was served incorrectly or unfairly
Use our AI tool to help generate the paperworkApply to have the CCJ set aside and removed
Don’t let a CCJ — especially one you didn’t know about — ruin your next move.
Useful Links
Subject Access Request: What You Can Find Out