Just found I have a CCJ :(

Jobey1

I’ve just discovered I have a CCJ, two of them in fact! Both from Northumbria Water. I remember receiving letters from Northampton County Court but I paid both prior to the date.
The oldest is from 2014, I got the bill, forgot to pay and got a letter threatening court action so paid the balance. I later got a court letter from Northampton and assumed they hadn’t been updated that the bill was settled. That now shows as £110 outstanding as a CCJ. They deducted the water bill and issued a CCJ for the court costs despite the bill being paid prior to the court issuing paperwork.
The second is from 2016, I’ve found the letter from the court issued 17th June advising a CCJ was to be issued if I did not pay, I have a bank statement showing I paid the water bill on 15th June, 2 days before the court issued the paperwork.
I had again assumed they would see I’d already paid them prior to the court getting involved and therefore there was no debt to claim against.
Obviously I now realise I should have told them on each occasion that the amount had already been settled.
What can I do now to have them removed?
Is it too late?
Other than the two CCJs my credit score would be perfect. 😇
Any help much appreciated.

A_DMP_Vetereran

If you have evidence of the payment being made prior to the CCJ's being awarded then you need to write to the courts asking them to remove them and all evidence of them.

I do have to ask though for my own peace of mind - what in the hell went through your mind ignoring the CCJ form letters? The thought of them scares me witless. Ignoring them would be the last thing on my agenda - especially if I had paid and could prove it! I'd also be prepared to answer this very same question to the judge who receives your letter...

Jobey1

I foolishly assumed there was a system in place that would prevent a judgement being issued against a debt that had already been settled and was therefore not a debt! I now see that they must issue judgments without even checking if there is an outstanding balance. (Which I find both bizarre and worrisome)
Would a copy of a statement showing the debt being settled dated prior to the date of the court papers being send be proof enough?
Also how do I go about actually contacting them, has anyone out there done this that could share their experiences please?

System

Jobey1 wrote: »

I foolishly assumed there was a system in place that would prevent a judgement being issued against a debt that had already been settled and was therefore not a debt! I now see that they must issue judgments without even checking if there is an outstanding balance.

It relies on the creditor informing the court that the debt has been cleared.

phillw

Jobey1 wrote: »

Would a copy of a statement showing the debt being settled dated prior to the date of the court papers being send be proof enough?

A statement from the water company showing they received the money before the court date would be best. A bank statement showing you made a payment even 2 working days before the court papers may not have reached your water account in time.

Jobey1 wrote: »

Also how do I go about actually contacting them, has anyone out there done this that could share their experiences please?

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/guides/article-3798933/Don-t-let-debt-ruling-knew-ruin-life-year-900-000-county-court-judgments-handed-s-fight-them.html

CityLite

Jobey1 wrote: »

I’ve just discovered I have a CCJ, two of them in fact! Both from Northumbria Water. I remember receiving letters from Northampton County Court but I paid both prior to the date.
The oldest is from 2014, I got the bill, forgot to pay and got a letter threatening court action so paid the balance. I later got a court letter from Northampton and assumed they hadn’t been updated that the bill was settled. That now shows as £110 outstanding as a CCJ. They deducted the water bill and issued a CCJ for the court costs despite the bill being paid prior to the court issuing paperwork.
The second is from 2016, I’ve found the letter from the court issued 17th June advising a CCJ was to be issued if I did not pay, I have a bank statement showing I paid the water bill on 15th June, 2 days before the court issued the paperwork.
I had again assumed they would see I’d already paid them prior to the court getting involved and therefore there was no debt to claim against.
Obviously I now realise I should have told them on each occasion that the amount had already been settled.
What can I do now to have them removed?
Is it too late?
Other than the two CCJs my credit score would be perfect. ��
Any help much appreciated.

Jobey1 wrote: »

I foolishly assumed there was a system in place that would prevent a judgement being issued against a debt that had already been settled and was therefore not a debt! I now see that they must issue judgments without even checking if there is an outstanding balance. (Which I find both bizarre and worrisome)
Would a copy of a statement showing the debt being settled dated prior to the date of the court papers being send be proof enough?
Also how do I go about actually contacting them, has anyone out there done this that could share their experiences please?

If the judgement was issued after any amount was paid, then the judgement is still live i.e. you owe the money as stated in the judgement.

You should have defended the claim when it was issued if you had already paid the amount claimed as owed.

All you can try now is to ask for the judgement to be set aside, for which a fee of £255 will apply, whether or not you are successful.

I'm sure Google will have the contact details of Northampton County Court if you have no papers with the details on.