CCJ - I wasn't aware of it!!!!

LearntMyLesson

Hi

After recieving a debt collection letter from someone who didn't have my name I checked my credit files. Now on one file (the service I paid for which compares all three files) there is no CCJ, where on another free service there is a CCJ from 2003 for £364 at Northampton Crown Court.

How do I go about writing to the court to see what this debt is for? I have a reference number and a brief search of the internet just turns up people wanting to repair my credit for a fee.

I don't know what this CCJ is for, I've never recieved any letters, I've been registered at addresses after I moved out - how come no one has come for this money?

I have a horrible, horrible feeling that my then boyfriend who I lived with is behind all of this. I once came home from work to find the gas has been cut off. If this is true, will the court ever belive me? I just want to pay this money and I don't care if I owe it. I was going to go on my boyfriends mortgage in October but I don't think this will happen now!

pamril1

All you can do is write a brief letter including the reference number to the court requesting the information you require. The court will not charge a fee for this.
If the debt is yours and you settle it, it will still remain on your file for 6 years however it will be marked settled. If you agree you owe the money you can pay it off in instalments you can afford you will need a form N245 and will usually have to pay a fee of £35 for this
If you do not owe this money you are better off applying to have the court set the judgement aside there is a fee of £75 for this but if on low income or certain benefits you may not have to pay.
If the judgement is set aside it will mean that the proceedings go back to claim stage and any enforcement action cancelled, you then have a chance to put in your defence.
Also see
http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=12_how_to_set_aside_a_judgment_in_the_county_court

LearntMyLesson

Is it six years from when the ccj was made or six years from payment?

pamril1

I believe its 6 years from the date the original CCJ was made.
If you decide to put in a defence and you lose a new judgement will be made starting from the date of new judgement so you have to be pretty sure you have a good chance or it starts all over again.

pamril1

Sorry just checked and I got it wrong satisfied judgements stay on your credit file for 6 years after its settlement date.

pamril1

Once you get the information you need you'll be in a better position to decide but if you find out there is something not quite right about it if I were you I would pay to get it set aside an put in a defence as either way it looks like it's going to be on your file for 6 years unless you win your defence.
I'm no expert mind I'm in the same position as you at the mo trying to figure out what to do so I may be wrong your best bet is contacting the national debtline for advise. I did they sent me out fact sheets etc too and I'm trying to get my head around it all myself

LearntMyLesson

Thanks for all the replies. If it stays on there for six years from payment I might as well kiss my dreams of a mortgage goodbye for sometime.

I think I'll have to make an appointment with someone to see how I can challenge the judgement especially if my defence is "I didn't get my mail" which does sound pretty flimsy even if it is true.

Hey ho. Thanks for all the good advice.