CCJ for Unpaid Invoice UK: How to Get a County Court Judgment Against a Non-Paying Client
You've sent the reminders. You've sent the formal Letter Before Action. Thirty days have passed and the client still hasn't paid. Now what?
The next step is applying for a County Court Judgment (CCJ) — a legally binding court order that forces your client to pay what they owe. A CCJ appears on the debtor's credit file for 6 years, making it extremely difficult for them to get loans, mortgages, business credit, or even mobile phone contracts.
For most debtors, the threat of a CCJ is enough. For those who ignore the threat, the reality of one is devastating. Here's exactly how to get one.
What Is a CCJ?
A County Court Judgment is an order from the court confirming that a person or business owes you money and must pay it. Once a CCJ is issued:
- It appears on the debtor's credit file for 6 years (even if they pay it afterwards, unless paid within 28 days)
- It's legally enforceable — you can use bailiffs, attachment of earnings, or charging orders to collect
- The debtor must pay court fees on top of the debt
- It damages the debtor's ability to borrow or trade on credit
Do You Need a Solicitor?
No. For debts under £10,000, the case is handled on the Small Claims Track, which is specifically designed for people without legal representation. The process is straightforward, the forms are simple, and the court staff can answer procedural questions (though not give legal advice).
For debts between £10,000 and £100,000, you can still represent yourself, though legal advice is recommended for complex cases.
Step-by-Step: How to Get a CCJ for an Unpaid Invoice
Step 1: Send a Letter Before Action (Mandatory)
Before you can file a court claim, you must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. This means sending a formal Letter Before Action (LBA) and allowing 30 days for the debtor to respond.
If you skip this step, the judge may penalise you on costs — even if you win the case. Courts take the pre-action protocol seriously.
Your LBA should include:
- The total amount owed (including statutory interest and compensation)
- How the debt arose (description of work/goods provided)
- A clear 30-day deadline
- A statement that court proceedings will follow if payment isn't made
- Information about the debtor's right to dispute the claim
Need a template? Our free calculator generates a personalised Letter Before Action with your exact figures.
Step 2: File Your Claim Online
After 30 days with no payment and no dispute, file your claim through Money Claim Online (MCOL) at moneyclaim.gov.uk. You'll need:
- The debtor's full name and address (individual or company registered address)
- The amount you're claiming (original invoice + interest + compensation + court fee)
- Brief details of the claim (called "Particulars of Claim")
- Payment of the court fee (by card)
Court Fees (2026)
| Claim Amount | Court Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 |
| £300.01 – £500 | £50 |
| £500.01 – £1,000 | £70 |
| £1,000.01 – £1,500 | £80 |
| £1,500.01 – £3,000 | £115 |
| £3,000.01 – £5,000 | £205 |
| £5,000.01 – £10,000 | £455 |
| £10,000.01 – £200,000 | 5% of amount |
These fees are added to the debt. If you win, the debtor pays your court fee on top of everything else.
Step 3: The Debtor Responds (or Doesn't)
Once the claim is filed, the court sends it to the debtor. They have 14 days to respond. Three things can happen:
1. They pay in full. Case closed. You win.
2. They don't respond (most common). After 14 days, you apply for a default judgment. The court issues the CCJ automatically. No hearing required.
3. They defend the claim. The case proceeds to a hearing. For small claims (under £10,000), this is typically an informal hearing lasting 1–2 hours. You present your evidence (contract, invoice, emails, LBA). The judge decides.
Step 4: After the CCJ — Enforcement
A CCJ tells the debtor they must pay. If they still don't, you have several enforcement options:
Warrant of Control (Bailiffs) — Fee: £77. County court bailiffs visit the debtor's premises to seize goods worth the debt amount. For debts over £600, you can use High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) who have higher collection rates.
Attachment of Earnings Order — The court orders the debtor's employer to deduct payments from their salary. Only available against individuals, not companies.
Third-Party Debt Order — Freezes money in the debtor's bank account. You'll need to know which bank they use.
Charging Order — Secures the debt against the debtor's property. They can't sell the property without paying you first.
How Much Can You Claim?
When filing your court claim, include everything you're entitled to:
- The original invoice amount
- Statutory interest at 11.75% p.a. (8% + BoE base rate of 3.75%) from the day after payment was due, continuing to accrue until payment
- Fixed compensation: £40 (debts under £1,000), £70 (£1,000–£9,999.99), £100 (£10,000+)
- Court fees — added to the claim amount
Calculate your exact total with our free calculator — it gives you the precise interest and compensation figures you need for your claim form.
How Long Does the CCJ Process Take?
- Letter Before Action to claim filing: 30 days minimum
- Claim filed to debtor response deadline: 14 days
- Default judgment (if no response): A few days after application
- Defended claim to hearing: Typically 6–10 weeks
- Total (undefended): About 7 weeks from LBA to CCJ
What If the Debtor Is a Limited Company?
If the debtor is a limited company, check Companies House first. Look up their filed accounts — if the company has no assets or is about to be dissolved, a CCJ may be unenforceable. In that case, consider:
- Personal guarantees: Did a director personally guarantee payment? If so, you may be able to claim against them individually.
- Statutory demand: For debts over £750, you can serve a statutory demand. If unpaid after 21 days, you can petition to wind up the company. This is the nuclear option — but the threat alone often produces payment.
The CCJ Stays on Their Credit File for 6 Years
This is the detail that motivates payment more than anything else. A CCJ is registered with the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines. It appears on credit checks run by Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
The debtor can only remove the CCJ from their record if they pay the full amount within 28 days of the judgment. After 28 days, even if they pay in full, the CCJ stays on their record (marked as "satisfied") for 6 years from the date of judgment.
For businesses, a CCJ can mean:
- Loss of credit facilities and trade accounts
- Higher insurance premiums
- Inability to tender for contracts (many procurement processes check for CCJs)
- Damaged reputation with suppliers
This is why most debtors pay at the Letter Before Action stage. The cost of a CCJ to their credit rating far exceeds the cost of paying your invoice.
Common Questions
Can I get a CCJ against a sole trader?
Yes. You claim against them personally. If they're trading under a business name, list both: "John Smith trading as JS Consulting".
What if I don't know their address?
You need a valid address to serve the claim. For limited companies, use the registered office address from Companies House. For individuals, you can use a tracing agent.
Can I claim for multiple invoices?
Yes. You can combine multiple unpaid invoices into a single claim against the same debtor. List each invoice separately in your particulars of claim. You're entitled to fixed compensation on each invoice.
What if the debtor disputes the quality of work?
If the debtor files a defence claiming the work was substandard, the case goes to a hearing. Bring all evidence: the contract, specification, delivery confirmation, emails accepting the work, and any relevant communications. The burden shifts to the debtor to prove the work was deficient.
Is there a time limit for claiming?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you have 6 years from the date payment was due (5 years in Scotland). After this, the debt is statute-barred.
Start the Process Now
The longer you wait, the harder debts are to collect. Every day that passes is another day of interest accruing — but it's also another day the debtor might dissolve their company or move assets.
Use our free Late Payment Calculator to calculate exactly what you're owed, get a personalised chase email sequence, and — if needed — a formal Letter Before Action that complies with the Pre-Action Protocol. All for £9.99, or use the calculator and first email completely free.