Apply to Set Aside CCJ Letter: Free Template and What to Include

If you need to write to the court to set aside a County Court Judgment you were unaware of, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong apply to set aside ccj should include.

What this letter needs to cover

• Identify the CCJ with claim number
• Court and date
• Set out the grounds for setting aside (claim form not received
• Defence has a real prospect of success
• Or some other good reason under Civil Procedure Rules 13.3)
• Set out the proposed defence in summary
• Request the judgment is set aside and the case relisted
• Attach the N244 application as appropriate

What "setting aside" a CCJ actually means

If a County Court Judgment was made against you without your knowledge — often because paperwork was sent to an old address — you can apply to have it "set aside," meaning cancelled as though it never happened, provided you act promptly and have a genuine defence to the original claim. This is different from simply disputing the amount; you generally need to show you have a real prospect of successfully defending the claim, or some other good reason why the judgment should be set aside.

What this letter or application needs to cover

• Confirmation of the CCJ reference number and the date it was made
• A clear explanation of why you weren't aware of the original claim
• Your grounds for disputing the underlying debt or claim itself
• A request that the judgment be set aside, using form N244

Why acting quickly matters here

Courts expect applications to set aside a CCJ to be made promptly once you become aware of it — significant, unexplained delay can weaken your application even where you have a genuinely valid case. There's also a court fee for this application, though fee remission may be available depending on your financial circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting aside remove the CCJ from my credit file immediately?
If successful, the judgment should be removed, though it's worth checking directly with credit reference agencies afterwards to confirm your file has been updated correctly.

What if I can pay the debt but just want to dispute the amount?
If you don't dispute owing the debt but disagree with the amount, a different process for varying the judgment may be more appropriate than setting it aside entirely.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Postcode]
[Name of Court, e.g. County Court Business Centre]
[Court Address]
[Court Postcode]
[Date]

Dear Sir or Madam,

Subject: Application to set aside a County Court Judgment (CCJ) - Claim Number: [Claim Number]

I am applying to have the County Court Judgment (CCJ) entered against me on [Date of judgment] set aside under Part 13 of the Civil Procedure Rules.

I did not receive the claim form because [state reason, e.g. it was sent to my old address at [Old Address] and I had moved to my current address on [Date you moved]]. I only found out about this judgment on [Date] when [e.g. I checked my credit file], and I am applying as soon as I could.

I have a real prospect of successfully defending the claim because [briefly explain your defence, e.g. I already paid this amount in full on [Date] / the debt is statute-barred].

Please find enclosed my completed form N244, the application fee of £[current fee - check on gov.uk], and copies of my supporting evidence. I ask that the judgment be set aside and the claim relisted.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

[Note for the page: This is for County Court Judgments in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different court rules.]