CCJ/Defaults - discuss?

elodieb9

I'm just curious, i've had CCJ myself which stayed on my record for 6 years and i've recently escaped one that hadn't i noticed last minute going onto my credit report i'd be back in the 6 year cycle.

However... my question really is; is 6 years just too long? I found my very first experience at a young age punishing, i hoped there was a way to get around it when i was applying for credit, when asked about my rating i found it embarrassing to say "Oh, i have a CCJ" - it kinda licks onto you as if you're an absolute criminal.

I expect some replies to be "just pay it" and it is "deserved" but i'm thinking along the lines of those who do settle them but they still exist on credit reports.

Six long years is hella long time.... the transition from say getting a CCJ at 19 years old and maturing and the realisation that you're tarnished with this up to 25 years old.

Some say you can still get credit etc with CCJ's but for one mistake it is like a criminal sentence that if you do get credit and a level of maturity you're still hit with higher rates as you're classed as a higher risk.

Defaults and CCJ's are the work of the devil, life is a rollercoaster and sometimes not paying that bill is for the good of more important matters: birth, death, keeping a roof over your head and food on the table.

So yeah, i don't agree with the 6 years... it is too much out of your life when you CAN, WANT and ABLE to do something during that 6 year curse. People inherit, get promoted, get a job, go to university and are still faced with barriers.

Any thoughts?

CakeCrusader

Totally agree with you. I had 2 (thanks to my water company), both for small amounts (£189 and £310 I think, both accumulated when times were hard), and they stuck around even though I paid them off years ago. One has just dropped off, the other drops off next year. My credit file's faultless apart from one really old late payment, yet I'm struggling to get any sort of decent APR card. Water companies are notorious for seeking a CCJ if someone pays late, it seems unfair to have to pay for it for 6 years for the sake of £189 (and most of this was the cost of the CCJ).

Carrot007

elodieb9 wrote: »

However... my question really is; is 6 years just too long?

In cretain situations I feel it is too long. However in others I feel it is too short.


I thuink that is why they chose it. Administering on case by case would be costly.


However I think there is certainly scope to change it into say a few catagories.


But how many would be the question.


Were you trying to repay it up to the CCJ? If so and yopu can proove you could not afford it then 6 years could be seen to be too much.


Were you sitting it out doing nothing waiting for it to become statute barred. I would say 20 years is fair in that case. (Even paying £1 a month is better (even 1p is is it is all you can afford)).


Were you unaware of it before the CCJ. (eg a CCJ issued in your absence). If so you should probably get 6 months to pay it off after which it is removed. (If they can find you after the CCJ they can find you before).


ETC ETC.

elodieb9

This is the PERFECT example! It is terrible!!!!

CakeCrusader wrote: »

Totally agree with you. I had 2 (thanks to my water company), both for small amounts (£189 and £310 I think, both accumulated when times were hard), and they stuck around even though I paid them off years ago. One has just dropped off, the other drops off next year. My credit file's faultless apart from one really old late payment, yet I'm struggling to get any sort of decent APR card. Water companies are notorious for seeking a CCJ if someone pays late, it seems unfair to have to pay for it for 6 years for the sake of £189 (and most of this was the cost of the CCJ).

elodieb9

Carrot007 wrote: »

I thuink that is why they chose it. Administering on case by case would be costly.

ETC ETC.

I like the 6 month idea! Costs can be offset akin to court charges as they are added to CCJ's.

CakeCrusader

Variable times would be better, 6 years is often far too long. Maybe they should shorten it if it's paid off within 6 months to... 6 months? Maybe the CCJ should stay on your credit file for as long as it takes to pay off the CCJ? Water companies should be stopped from seeking CCJ's for small amounts, it's pathetic.

antrobus

elodieb9 wrote: »

...
However... my question really is; is 6 years just too long? ...

No. It's six years because of the Limitation Act 1980. In England and Wales at least. The CCJ remains 'active' for six years and can be enforced. Bailiffs, attachment of earnings, that sort of thing.

If you are applying for credit don't you think a lender is entitled to know that there is a chance someone might be coming round to seize your car sometime soon, meaning you can't get to work?

Your CCJ is a matter of public record. It's on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines. CRAs simply report that data.

CakeCrusader

antrobus wrote: »

No. It's six years because of the Limitation Act 1980. In England and Wales at least. The CCJ remains 'active' for six years and can be enforced. Bailiffs, attachment of earnings, that sort of thing.

If you are applying for credit don't you think a lender is entitled to know that there is a chance someone might be coming round to seize your car sometime soon, meaning you can't get to work?

Your CCJ is a matter of public record. It's on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines. CRAs simply report that data.

Would this apply to someone who's paid their CCJ off though? A great many people do and they are stuck with sub prime lenders with massive APRs for 6 years. There should be some sort of acknowledgement to those who find themself struggling, end up with a CCJ and pay it off as soon as they can. It's removed if they can pay within a month, but to be honest, if someone can pay their CCJ within a month why didn't they do it before and avoid the CCJ all together? CRAs do report data, but how fair is it on those who have a CCJ for a small amount and need longer than a month (but pay it off within say 6 months)?

[Deleted User]

No

How about paying your bills/debts then you won’t be penalised for it later in life?

sourcrates

Ministry Of Justice – Default County Court Judgments

The MOJ is consulting on a proposal that CCJs should be removed from the register if someone was unaware of them and then paid them in full and allied topics.

• Consultation details
• closed 21/02/2018.

sourcrates

!!! wrote: »

No

How about paying your bills/debts then you won’t be penalised for it later in life?

Not always an option for some Gary.


Life is never as black and white as some like to make out it is.


Yes there will be the head in sand brigade, but not everyone falls into a category.