Set aside a CCJ: act quickly if papers went to the wrong address

Finding a CCJ after the event is common when court papers went to an old address. A set aside application is possible in some cases, but the court will expect prompt action and proper evidence.

This guide was last checked on 26 April 2026 against official court, government, regulator, or legislation sources listed on this page.

Quick answer

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• Setting aside a CCJ asks the court to cancel the judgment so the claim can be reconsidered. You usually need to act promptly and show a defence or a valid reason the judgment should not stand.
• The usual application form is N244.
• You may need a witness statement and draft order.
• If the debt is still owed, wider debt advice may still be needed even if the CCJ is set aside.

What this means

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A set aside is not the same as a complaint to the creditor. It is a court application. The court looks at why the judgment happened, how quickly you acted, and whether the claim should be reopened.

A CCJ can affect credit, borrowing, renting and enforcement. If enforcement is already active, get advice urgently alongside any set aside application.

What to check first

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• Check the claim number, court, claimant and judgment date.
• Check what address the claim form was sent to.
• Check whether you paid within one month.
• Check whether you have a defence or need documents to assess one.
• Check whether enforcement action has started.

What to do next

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1. Get a copy of the judgment and claim details.
2. Gather evidence about your address, dates and any defence.
3. Ask the claimant whether they consent to set aside if appropriate.
4. Prepare the N244 application and witness statement.
5. Get advice if enforcement, limitation or affordability issues are involved.

Keep copies of anything you send. If you speak by phone, write down the date, time, person you spoke to, and what was agreed.

What not to do

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• Do not delay after discovering the CCJ.
• Do not assume a credit file dispute will remove a valid judgment.
• Do not ignore enforcement while an application is being prepared.
• Do not enter an IVA just to fix a CCJ without understanding the limits.

When an IVA may help

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An IVA may help if the CCJ is one part of a wider unaffordable debt problem and the debt can be included. It can stop direct collection for included debts once approved.

An IVA is a formal insolvency solution. It can affect your credit file, borrowing, assets, and future financial choices. It should be compared with a Debt Management Plan, Debt Relief Order, bankruptcy, informal arrangements and Breathing Space before you choose.

When an IVA may not solve this

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An IVA does not automatically set aside or remove a CCJ. If the judgment is wrong, old-address related, or defensible, the court issue must be handled separately.

If you are unsure, get regulated debt advice before relying on any single option.

What to do today

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1. Get the judgment date and claim number.
2. Write down when you first found out.
3. Check whether court papers went to an old address.
4. Collect evidence and documents.
5. Get advice before submitting or delaying an application.