General
Subject Access Requests: How to Use Them to Challenge a CCJ
Jun 14, 2025
A Subject Access Request (SAR) is a powerful tool under UK data protection law.
It allows you to request all personal data that an organisation holds about you. This includes any creditor, debt collector, parking company, or solicitor involved in a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you.
If you’re thinking about challenging a CCJ — or applying to set it aside — sending a SAR can help you understand exactly what information the claimant used to obtain the judgment.
What can a Subject Access Request reveal?
When you send a SAR, the organisation must provide you with all personal data they hold about you. This can include:
Copies of correspondence
The address they used to send the claim form
Any internal notes or records
Evidence they relied on to obtain the CCJ
Any records about payments or disputes
Communications with their solicitors
In the context of challenging a CCJ, this information can be very useful. It can help you establish whether:
The claim was served at the wrong address
You were not properly informed of the claim
The creditor knew they had incorrect details
There is evidence missing or inaccurate
The debt was already paid or disputed
We have seen many cases where a SAR helped expose that the CCJ process was flawed — providing strong evidence to support a successful application to set the CCJ aside.
How do you make a Subject Access Request?
Making a SAR is straightforward. You do not need to use a special form — you simply need to make the request in writing to the organisation concerned.
Your request should say something like:
“I am making a Subject Access Request under Article 15 of the UK GDPR. Please provide me with all personal data that you hold about me, including any correspondence, internal notes, and records relating to any claims or legal action, including any County Court Judgment.”
You should include:
Your full name
Your address(es) (including any previous addresses relevant to the case)
Any reference number (if known)
A clear request for all personal data
You can send this by email or post. The organisation must respond within one month.
Who should I send a SAR to?
If you are challenging a CCJ, consider sending a SAR to:
The original creditor (company or parking firm)
The debt collection agency (if involved)
The claimant’s solicitors
In many parking ticket cases, for example, sending a SAR to both the parking company and the solicitor can reveal key details about how the CCJ was obtained.
Is there a cost to making a SAR?
No — a Subject Access Request is free of charge in most cases.
An organisation can only charge a fee if your request is manifestly unfounded or excessive — which is rare.
What if they do not respond?
If an organisation fails to respond within one month, or refuses to provide the data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The ICO can compel organisations to comply and may take enforcement action.
You can read more and make a complaint here:
https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/your-right-of-access
Now What
If you are thinking about applying to set aside a CCJ — or you simply want to understand what happened — sending a Subject Access Request is an excellent first step.
It can give you the evidence you need to:
Show you were not properly served
Demonstrate errors in the process
Support your case to have the CCJ set aside
If you need help understanding how to use a SAR in your specific case, our AI CCJ tool can help guide you.
Next steps:
Identify which organisations to send your SAR to
Draft your SAR using the wording above
Send it by email or post
Keep copies of your request and any responses
If you get useful evidence, include it in your N244 application to set aside the CCJ
Useful Links:
Final tip: A well-timed Subject Access Request can often uncover key details that help you challenge a CCJ successfully. Don’t overlook this simple but effective tool.