CCJ Debt Collection – Recover Your Debts
Contents
- 1 Options For Enforcing a CCJ
- 2 Charging Order
- 3 High Court Enforcement and Bailiffs
- 4 Instructing a Professional Debt Collection Agency
- 5 CCJ Debt Collection – Frequently Asked Questions
- 6 How long can a debt be chased for, and how long can you be chased for a CCJ?
- 7 How much does it cost to enforce a CCJ?
- 8 How long does it take to recover a debt?
- 9 What happens if a CCJ is not paid?
- 10 When are bailiffs used?
When both businesses and private individuals are owed money, they often seek to obtain a County Court Judgement (CCJ) that will help them reclaim what is owed. This is often successful, but there is still a requirement to enforce the CCJ.
A CCJ is a formal judgment made by a court that has determined that someone (either a business or an individual) owes money to someone else. CCJ’s are usually served in the post, and they explain:
- How much is owed
- How payment can be made
- The due date (deadline) for payment
- Who needs to be paid
This is a very serious matter, and it can cause many issues for the person that owes money. For example, a CCJ can stay on the “Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines” for up to 6 years. Banks, loan companies and creditors use this information to assess people’s credit file. If a CCJ has been made against you, this will be known to creditors, and it can make it harder to do business in the future.
A default judgement is issued where the defendant or debtor does not respond to the county court claim form. A summary judgment can be issued if there has been a hearing to determine the outcome of the claim.
Despite this, there are still debtors who are determined to avoid paying no matter what the consequences are. In some cases, a CCJ may not be enough to prompt payment, regardless of how serious the issue is.
Obtaining a CCJ is a long and expensive process, with costs such as court fees that must be paid. After this, the CCJ will still need to be enforced, and there are many debt recovery options available. Ultimately, the client needs to pay the debt, and knowing the best options to choose when looking at any enforcement action is crucial.
CCJ Debt Collection – Recover Your Debts
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Options For Enforcing a CCJ
When enforcing a CCJ, there are a number of options that are available.
Charging Order
A charging order can be applied to aid in enforcing the debt. A charging order places a charge on property that the debtor owns or is considering buying. Court action and legal fees are also included in this amount.
When the property is sold, that amount will be paid to the creditor.
This is a valid means of recovering the debt, however, it can take a long time to come into your bank account. In some cases, the debtor is forced into the sale of a property, resulting in payment being made sooner.
High Court Enforcement and Bailiffs
If a CCJ has not prompted the debtor to make payment, a valid option is to send County Court Bailiffs to seize assets from them. Firstly, the debtor will receive a letter informing them that Bailiffs will be visiting at a specific time and date. After this, a CCB will enter the debtor’s property and seize assets that are the equivalent of the value of the debt.
This is usually a straightforward process, and often the realisation that someone will come to remove assets is enough to prompt payment.
Instructing a Professional Debt Collection Agency
A professional debt recovery agency will be able to recover the debt owed by someone that is failing to pay. They provide a low cost and effective service that will resolve all matters swiftly.
Best4DebtCollection provides the UK’s leading debt collection referral service. Complete our free and easy to use web form today to get recommendations on the leading agencies in your area.
CCJ Debt Collection – Recover Your Debts
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The hassle-free way to compare debt collection quotes from the best agencies and collectors in the UK right away
CCJ Debt Collection – Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a debt be chased for, and how long can you be chased for a CCJ?
In the UK, debt can be enforced for up to 6 years. After then, it becomes unenforceable and is known as “statute barred”. However, if the debtor pays a portion of the debt, or acknowledges its existence at any time within those 6 years, the time limit resets to that point.
How much does it cost to enforce a CCJ?
This depends on two factors, the circumstances surrounding the debt itself, as well as the enforcement option you choose to use. For example, you may choose to hire a debt collection solicitor to enforce collection, which can cost hundreds of pounds per hour. Or, you could instruct a professional debt collection agency, who operate on a commission based model. For more information, speak with one of our debt recovery experts now.
How long does it take to recover a debt?
Again, this depends on the debt itself and the enforcement action that is chosen. Contact one of our award winning partners now for an estimation of recovery times.
What happens if a CCJ is not paid?
If a debtor continues to withhold payment despite a CCJ, a “Charging Order” can be placed on your property, or the court can deduct money from your income. This is known as an “Attachment of Earnings Order”.
When are bailiffs used?
County Court Bailiffs can be used as a method to enforce the collection of a CCJ is payment is not made. If you are contacting a professional debt collectors, sending bailiffs to visit a debtor is one method used for recovering owed money.