Ccj

Richbee9433

Hello - I hope I am posting this is in the right place.

I have received a CCJ judgement for £4K for an old credit card bill (that was originally £2k but has been passed around several debt collecting agencies). I knew the debt was around but hadn't head about it for a couple of years and wasn't even sure who had now bought the debt.

Anyhow - today I recorded a CCJ for the full amount plus around £250 costs as 'payment forthwith'. It was the first I've heard of it being at this stage and hadn't seen any court papers.

A frantic search and I've found the original court documents on a pile of post to send on to my son who is studying in America. I am assuming my wife picked it up and added it to the pile by mistake.

I don't despute the debt and would have replied along with the I&e forms, along with an offer of payment to clear the debt over around three years - which I would have hoped would be expected, but now I haven't replied, what should I do? I can't afford to pay it all off in one go and not sure what the best action is?

I'd be grateful for any advice

sourcrates

Hi,

You don't need a solicitor, what you need to do is apply to the court to change the payment order, to do this you must fill in court form N245, and return to the court ASAP.


Details here :

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/help-with-debt/changing-a-court-order-for-debt/


That's all you have to do, upon receipt the court will change the amount payable to what you have asked for.

Huskyrunner

i would give step change a call and see what they recommend

thanhka

The intervention of the court and a lawyer is probably the best thing now.

National_Debtline

Hi Richbee9433,


Sourcrates is right. You can apply to vary the CCJ to a more affordable amount but I am afraid this will now cost up to £50 to do (using the N245). I appreciate that the misplacement of the forms was a genuine mistake but you don't contest the debt itself and the creditor sent the forms to you (which is all they needed to do). There is nothing to really challenge here and you shouldn't need any legal advice either, it is quite a straight forward process.


Just a minor word of warning - if it was a forthwith judgement it could have instantly defaulted and the creditor could consider more enforcement - such as bailiffs. If you get a notice of enforcement then remember the golden rules - do not let bailiffs in, keep your home locked and hide anything of value outside. The N245 form can be used to suspend bailiffs and amend the instalment amount. Good luck,


Laura
@natdebtline