How long do I have to respond?

You generally have 14 days from the date the claim was served to file a response. Filing an Acknowledgment of Service extends this to 28 days for a defence.

What if I agree with the debt?

You can complete the admission form and offer a realistic payment plan based on your income and expenditure. The court will decide if the offer is acceptable.

What if I dispute it?

You must file a defence outlining exactly why you do not owe the money. The case may then proceed to a hearing where a judge will decide.

Will I automatically get a CCJ?

If you ignore the claim, yes. If you defend the claim and win, no. If you admit the claim and pay it off within one month of the judgment, it will not be registered on your credit file.

Yes, you can still contact the creditor to negotiate a settlement even after a claim has been issued, but you must still file your court forms to protect yourself in the meantime.

Procedural Insight

I Have Received A County Court Claim – What Should I Do?

Learn what to do when you receive a County Court Claim, response deadlines and your options.

The Direct Answer

A County Court Claim should never be ignored. There are deadlines and options available, but the first step is understanding the claim and acting promptly. Many people lose cases simply because they fail to respond.

Detailed Explanation

Receiving a County Court Claim form (often called a CCJ form) means a creditor has started formal legal proceedings against you to recover a debt. The most critical factor at this stage is time. You typically have 14 days from the date of service to respond.

You have several options when responding. You can admit the full amount and offer to pay it in installments. You can admit part of the claim and defend the rest. Or, if you believe you do not owe the money, you can file a full defence. If you need more time to prepare a defence, you can file an Acknowledgment of Service, which extends your time to respond to 28 days.

Failing to respond at all is the worst possible outcome. If you ignore the claim, the creditor will likely request a default judgment against you. This means they win automatically, a CCJ is registered on your credit file, and they can immediately move to enforcement actions, such as sending bailiffs or applying for an attachment of earnings.

Common Mistakes

When dealing with complex procedures, panic or lack of clarity can lead to errors. Here are the most common mistakes people make:

Ignoring the situation hoping it will resolve itself.
Failing to seek professional guidance early enough.
Missing strict legal or procedural deadlines.
Communicating emotionally rather than factually.
Making informal agreements without getting them in writing.

Readiness Checklist

Preparation Checklist

Track your progress before taking action.

Have you gathered all relevant documents and correspondence?

Do you know the exact dates of key events?

Have you identified your main objectives or desired outcomes?

Are you aware of any upcoming deadlines?

Have you kept a record of all communications?

Frequently Asked Questions

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Article Author

Jeff Harris

Senior Adviser, Litigancy

Over 35 years' experience across finance, business, property and complex disputes. Today Jeff combines real-world experience with Alfred to help people understand complicated situations and make better decisions.

Published: January 2024•Updated: June 2024