If it is a fair situation: You will be visited by a court bailiff in due course (not right away) to discuss payment by installments or seizure of possessions for resale. If you think this is likely - consult with your local CAB for advice.
If you feel it is unfair: Make an application ASAP to have the judgement "set aside". You will have to give your reasons why you feel the judgement is unfair, or if the facts were misrepresented or incomplete. Act quickly.
Sort of..." i didn't pay this bill because the work was incomplete and the plaintiff refused to put it right" ...type of thing.
A judge will then study the evidence and decide what happens - but while this is happening the CCJ is on hold and can give you a fair bit of time to sort bit and pieces out.
If you just "can't pay", then there is not much you can do, other than get a copy of your credit record from one of the big reference agencies, and you will be able to attach your own letter to the record - which must be part of the reply to anyone who asks for a credit reference.
Even when a CCJ is settled (satisfied), they remain on credit records for a good while, and affect your ability to get credit (and sometimes employment) in the future.
As someone who is at present taking someone to court, and having been granted a judgement you have every opportunity to come to an arrangement with the person /that you owe the money/debt to. The court will write to you giving you plenty of time to defend the action being brought, and the court will try and come to some sort of arbitration . Ignoring the claim will do you no good as the judgement will be registered against you, therefore your credit history will be compromised. In my case I offered to reduce the invoice, and accept a part payment. The company that owes me money have decided to move offices, and change there web site, so I have transferred the case to the High court sheriff, the cost of which the defendant has to pay. If you were so minded you could be granted leave to make someone bankrupt for a debt over £600 once you have a judgement recorded against them. Each case varies, but get legal advice or speak to the person/company involved and come to a voluntary arrangement.
Sorry, only just caught up with this. One thing many people aren't aware of is that credit card companies, for example, can apply under the terms of a CCJ for an 'interest' in any property you might own even if it's jointly owned with someone else (your missus for instance). An interest means that if you sell your house you must settle the debt out of the procedes of the sale. Often the first you know about this is when you receive a letter from the Land Registry Office informing you that another party intends to registered such an interest: in extreme cases, for a big debt, they can apply for ownership of a property to settle the debt. You can appeal to the Court against such action but usually an interest will be granted, but a full claim on a property is rarer. So even though a credit card debt is not 'secured' your property is still at risk.
Comments
You will be visited by a court bailiff in due course (not right away) to discuss payment by installments or seizure of possessions for resale. If you think this is likely - consult with your local CAB for advice.
If you feel it is unfair:
Make an application ASAP to have the judgement "set aside". You will have to give your reasons why you feel the judgement is unfair, or if the facts were misrepresented or incomplete. Act quickly.
Sort of..." i didn't pay this bill because the work was incomplete and the plaintiff refused to put it right" ...type of thing.
A judge will then study the evidence and decide what happens - but while this is happening the CCJ is on hold and can give you a fair bit of time to sort bit and pieces out.
If you just "can't pay", then there is not much you can do, other than get a copy of your credit record from one of the big reference agencies, and you will be able to attach your own letter to the record - which must be part of the reply to anyone who asks for a credit reference.
Even when a CCJ is settled (satisfied), they remain on credit records for a good while, and affect your ability to get credit (and sometimes employment) in the future.
Not an expert - but hope this helps.
CCJ's stay on your record for 6 years and will badly dampen your credit rating.
Companies & debt collection agencies will only file for a CCJ against you as a last resort.
In my case I offered to reduce the invoice, and accept a part payment. The company that owes me money have decided to move offices, and change there web site, so I have transferred the case to the High court sheriff, the cost of which the defendant has to pay. If you were so minded you could be granted leave to make someone bankrupt for a debt over £600 once you have a judgement recorded against them. Each case varies, but get legal advice or speak to the person/company involved and come to a voluntary arrangement.
If you pay the full amount owed within a short period after the judgment is made the ccj can be removed.