How long does it take to set aside a County Court Judgment?

The process typically takes between one and three months. It begins by locating the judgment and obtaining a copy from the County Court Money Claims Centre. You then file an application notice with supporting evidence. The court may schedule a short telephone or attended hearing to decide whether to set the judgment aside, impose conditions, or refuse the application.

What are the valid reasons to apply to set aside a default judgment?

You can apply if the judgment was entered without your defence. Valid grounds include never receiving the original claim form, having a real prospect of successfully defending the claim, or other good reasons why the judgment should be set aside. The court will assess whether the judgment was wrongly entered or if you have a legitimate defence on the merits.

What can the court decide when I apply to set aside a CCJ?

The court has three possible outcomes. It may set the judgment aside unconditionally, allowing you to defend the claim. It may set it aside on conditions, such as requiring you to pay a specific sum into court. Alternatively, the court may refuse the application entirely. These decisions are made after a short telephone or attended hearing.

How do I find out why a judgment was entered against me?

You should obtain a copy of the judgment from the County Court Money Claims Centre. It is also helpful to have the original claim form if you have it. You need to understand the reasons the judgment was entered without your defence. This information helps you prepare your witness statement and identify the specific grounds for your application under the Civil Procedure Rules.

All Legal Journeys

Civil Procedure

England & Wales

4 stages

1–3 months

Reviewed 2026-05-22

CCJ set-aside journey

Set aside a default County Court Judgment under CPR 13.

This page mainly applies to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland may have different rules — check the jurisdiction before relying on this information.

Who Uses This Journey

Defendants who have had a default CCJ entered against them and want it set aside on the merits or because it was wrongly entered.

Stage-by-Stage Timeline

Locate the judgment

Obtain a copy of the judgment from the County Court Money Claims Centre.

Evidence Needed

Original claim form (if any)
Reasons judgment was entered without your defence

Apply on N244

File N244 application notice with supporting witness statement and £303 fee (or fee remission).

Forms at This Stage

N244

Witness statement

Set out grounds: never received the claim, real prospect of successful defence, or other good reason. Promptness critical.

Hearing

Short telephone or attended hearing.

Possible Outcomes

Set aside unconditionally
Set aside on conditions (e.g. pay sum into court)
Refused

Official Sources

CPR Part 13

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to set aside a County Court Judgment?: The process typically takes between one and three months. It begins by locating the judgment and obtaining a copy from the County Court Money Claims Centre. You then file an application notice with supporting evidence. The court may schedule a short telephone or attended hearing to decide whether to set the judgment aside, impose conditions, or refuse the application.
What are the valid reasons to apply to set aside a default judgment?: You can apply if the judgment was entered without your defence. Valid grounds include never receiving the original claim form, having a real prospect of successfully defending the claim, or other good reasons why the judgment should be set aside. The court will assess whether the judgment was wrongly entered or if you have a legitimate defence on the merits.
What can the court decide when I apply to set aside a CCJ?: The court has three possible outcomes. It may set the judgment aside unconditionally, allowing you to defend the claim. It may set it aside on conditions, such as requiring you to pay a specific sum into court. Alternatively, the court may refuse the application entirely. These decisions are made after a short telephone or attended hearing.
How do I find out why a judgment was entered against me?: You should obtain a copy of the judgment from the County Court Money Claims Centre. It is also helpful to have the original claim form if you have it. You need to understand the reasons the judgment was entered without your defence. This information helps you prepare your witness statement and identify the specific grounds for your application under the Civil Procedure Rules.