Get a Default CCJ on an Unpaid Invoice (UK 2026)

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A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court ruling that a UK debtor owes you money. You apply via moneyclaim.gov.uk for £35 to £455 (court fee scales with debt size, recoverable from the loser). If the debtor doesn't respond within 14 days you get a default judgment automatically. If they defend, the case goes to a hearing and the judge rules. A CCJ is registered for 6 years on the debtor's credit file, often forcing payment immediately to avoid the credit damage. Enforcement options if they still don't pay: charging order on property, attachment of earnings, third party debt order on bank accounts, or High Court enforcement officer. Median time to judgment: 2 to 9 months depending on whether the debtor defends.

Last updated: 8 May 2026.

A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court ruling that a UK debtor owes you money. You apply via moneyclaim.gov.uk for £35 to £455 (court fee scales with debt size, recoverable from the loser). If the debtor doesn't respond within 14 days you get a default judgment automatically. More detail + scope

Summary

A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court ruling that a UK debtor owes you money. You apply via moneyclaim.gov.uk for £35 to £455 (court fee scales with debt size, recoverable from the loser). If the debtor doesn't respond within 14 days you get a default judgment automatically.

If they defend, the case goes to a hearing and the judge rules. A CCJ is registered for 6 years on the debtor's credit file, often forcing payment immediately to avoid the credit damage. Enforcement options if they still don't pay: charging order on property, attachment of earnings, third party debt order on bank accounts, or High Court enforcement officer. Median time to judgment: 2 to 9 months depending on whether the debtor defends.

This page covers

CCJ for unpaid invoice UK: how to apply, court fees, default judgment, enforcement options, comparison with spot factoring

Not covered here

General invoice finance education (see /guides/), individual provider reviews (see /providers/), full pricing breakdown (see /guides/costs/)

UK providers worth knowing

ProviderFee fromMin turnoverWhy it fits
HydrVariableNo min24-hour cash, factor takes over chasing
Kriya (Allica Bank)1.5%+£100kSelective single-invoice factoring
AP

Adam Parker

Founder & Managing Director, Muswell Rose, founder and PSC of Best Business Loans Ltd

Adam is the founder and managing director of Muswell Rose and a founder of Best Business Loans Ltd, the company behind Market Invoice. He spent over three years as managing director of Penny, a UK invoice finance business, and his career runs through insurance, mortgages, commercial finance and fintech lending. He writes the Market Invoice library.

Last reviewed: 30 July 2026

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CCJ for Unpaid Invoice UK FAQ

How do I get a default CCJ on an unpaid UK B2B invoice?

A default CCJ is a County Court Judgment granted when the defendant fails to respond to a claim within the deadline. Process: (1) Send a letter before action giving the debtor 14 days to pay. (2) If unpaid, file at Money Claim Online (gov.uk/money-claim-online) for debts up to £100,000.

(3) The court issues the claim and serves it on the defendant by post. (4) Defendant has 14 days to respond. (5) If they fail to respond (and most do not on undisputed B2B debts), you request judgment in default via the same Money Claim Online portal. (6) A default CCJ is granted and registered on the debtor's credit file for 6 years.

The whole process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. Add statutory interest at 8% above Bank of England base rate (currently 11.75% APR) plus £40, £70 or £100 compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act.

What is a CCJ for unpaid invoice UK?

A County Court Judgment is a court ruling that a UK debtor (individual, sole trader or limited company) owes you a specific sum of money. You apply for it via moneyclaim.gov.uk for B2B invoice debts. Once registered, the CCJ appears on the debtor's credit file for 6 years (unless paid in full within 30 days, in which case it's removed).

How do I get a CCJ for an unpaid B2B invoice?

(1) Send a letter before action giving 14 days to pay. (2) If unpaid, go to moneyclaim.gov.uk and file a money claim online for £35 to £455 (fee scales with debt size). (3) Court issues the claim and serves the defendant by post. (4) Defendant has 14 days to respond. If they don't respond or admit, you request judgment by default and the CCJ is granted. If they defend, the case goes to a hearing in 2-6 months and the judge rules. (5) Once judgment is granted, you have a CCJ to enforce.

How much does it cost to get a CCJ?

Court fee scales with debt: £35 (under £300), £50 (£300-£500), £70 (£500-£1,000), £80 (£1,000-£1,500), £115 (£1,500-£3,000), £205 (£3,000-£5,000), £455 (£5,000-£10,000), £550-£10,000 (over £10,000). Plus optional fixed costs (£22-£100). Court fees are recoverable from the defendant if you win. Plus the prescribed compensation (£40-£100) for late commercial payments under the Late Payment Act 1998.

What if the debtor pays the CCJ in full within 30 days?

The CCJ is removed from their credit file as if it never existed (the 'satisfied' marker is also not displayed). Many debtors pay within 30 days specifically to avoid the 6-year credit damage. About 60% of CCJs are paid before enforcement is needed.

What if the debtor doesn't pay the CCJ?

Apply for enforcement via the County Court or transfer to High Court for faster action: (1) Charging Order on a property they own (£124 fee, leads to forced sale if still unpaid), (2) Attachment of Earnings if they're a sole trader or director with PAYE income (£124 fee, deducted at source), (3) Third Party Debt Order to seize bank account funds (£124 fee), (4) High Court Enforcement Officer (HCEO) for debts over £600 (£71 fee, more visible than County Court bailiffs, faster). About 40-60% of judgment debtors pay once enforcement starts.

CCJ vs spot factoring for unpaid invoice?

CCJ: 2-9 months to judgment, £35-£550 court fee, no guarantee of recovery if debtor insolvent, but registers on debtor's credit file for 6 years which often forces payment. Spot factoring (Hydr, Triver, Kriya): 70-90% of invoice value within 24 hours, factor handles all chasing, on non-recourse facilities the bad debt risk transfers to the factor. If you want cash now and the debtor relationship is preserved, factor first. If you want maximum pressure and don't need immediate cash, CCJ.