Defendant User Guide

What happens if a judgment is entered against me?

A judgment is a decision of the court regarding the outcome of the claim. This will be recorded in an order of the court. This will set out how to pay the amount decided by the court.

Judgment orders can be enforced if you fail to pay in accordance with the terms of the order. There are various types of enforcement methods available to the claimants, for example direct deductions from your earnings or the use of bailiffs to seize your goods.

The details of the judgment order will be entered onto the ‘Register of County Court Judgments’. Entries usually stay on the register for 6 years. This may make it difficult for you to obtain credit. Organisations such as banks, building societies and credit companies use the information on the Register when someone applies for credit, such as a loan or overdraft. It helps them decide whether or not that person would be able to pay off the credit.

Entries on the Register can only be removed by the court and only in very limited circumstances.