CCJ Terms Explained | Glossary of County Court Judgment Terms

When I first received a CCJ, I found myself wading through a sea of unfamiliar words — N244, Default Judgment, Set Aside, Draft Order… the list goes on. The first step to take wasn't researching what to do, it was actually just trying to understand what it all meant. It was like trying to learn a new language, with acronyms left right and centre, which you had to get your head around before you could begin to work out what to do next.Here’s a simple, no-nonsense guide to the terms you’ll come across when dealing with a CCJ — so you can spend less time googling, and more time sorting things out.

Claimant
The person or company taking you to court and asking for the CCJ. Also called the “creditor”.

Defendant
That’s you — the person the CCJ is against.

Claim Form
The official court document that starts a money claim against you (sometimes called an N1 form). If you receive one, you usually have 14 days from the date it’s deemed served (often 5 days after posting) to respond. You can either admit, defend, or acknowledge the claim. If you acknowledge service, you get an extra 14 days to file your defence (giving you up to 28 days in total).

Acknowledgment of Service (AOS)
A short form (usually included with the claim form) that you can send to the court if you need extra time to respond. Filing an AOS gives you an extra 14 days to file your defence — so up to 28 days total from when the claim form was served.

Default Judgment
A CCJ issued because you didn’t respond to a claim in time — often because the claim went to the wrong address or got lost in the post. You usually find out about it after it’s been registered. This is the most common reason people apply to “set aside” a CCJ.

CCJ (County Court Judgment)
A court order that says you owe money to a person or company. Stays on your credit record for 6 years, making it much harder to get loans, credit cards, a mortgage, or even some mobile phone contracts. If you pay the full amount within one month of the judgment, you can get it removed from your credit record.

Registry Trust
The official database that records all CCJs. You can check your own records for a small fee online (£6). This is a good first step if you’re unsure about the details of a CCJ or want proof for your credit report.

Civil National Business Centre (CNBC) / County Court Business Centre (CCBC)
The court centre that deals with most CCJs in England and Wales. Handles cases by post and online, rather than in person. This is usually where you send your N244 form. You can also call them to confirm details of your case (ie who is the Claimant).

N244
The official court form you fill out if you want to ask the court to “set aside” (remove) a CCJ or ask for any other kind of order in a civil court case. You need to explain why you didn’t respond before and include evidence.

Set Aside
Legal jargon for asking the court to remove a CCJ from your record, usually because you didn’t know about the original claim or didn’t get the paperwork in time. If successful, the CCJ is erased, and your credit record is repaired. You’ll get a chance to defend the original claim if it’s still being pursued.

Draft Order
A template or example of what you’d like the judge to order — this is usually attached to your N244 form. It tells the court exactly what you’re asking for (for example, “The judgment dated xx/xx/xxxx be set aside”). If both sides agree, you can submit a “consent order” as your draft order.

Witness Statement
A written statement where you explain your side of the story. This should include why you didn’t respond to the original claim, any evidence (like proof you didn’t live at the address the claim was sent to), and why you think the judgment should be set aside.

SAR (Subject Access Request)
A formal request asking a company (like a parking company, debt collector, or the court) for all the information they hold about you. Useful if you’re missing paperwork or want to check what the claimant told the court. Companies must reply within one month.

Consent Order
An agreement between you and the other side (the “claimant”) to remove the CCJ. If you both sign it, the judge can usually approve it without a hearing. This is faster, cheaper, and less stressful than a full court application. There’s a lower fee (£119 instead of £303).

Money Claim Online (MCOL)
A government website (moneyclaim.gov.uk) where individuals and companies can start, respond to, or manage court claims for money — like unpaid debts, parking tickets, or disputes over goods and services.If you get a “Claim Form” that mentions MCOL or moneyclaim.gov.uk, it means your case started through this online system. You can use the website to respond to the claim, file a defence, or check case details.
If you missed a deadline or never received the original claim from MCOL, that’s a common reason to apply to “set aside” a CCJ.

Particulars of Claim
The document that explains exactly why the claimant says you owe money. If you never received this, it’s a good point for your witness statement.

Help With Fees (EX160)
A form you can fill in if you’re on a low income, benefits, or can’t afford the N244 fee. If accepted, you could get a discount or even pay nothing for your application.

Hearing
A court meeting (sometimes in person, sometimes by phone or video) where the judge decides whether to “set aside” your CCJ. You’ll usually get a chance to explain your situation.

Service Address
The address where court papers should be sent. If you moved and didn’t update the claimant, this can cause problems — but also may be a reason to set aside the CCJ if you didn’t get the claim.

Any other terms I have missed? Let me know in the comments!