Apply to Set Aside CCJ Letter Template & Generator

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, plus a free tool to generate yours.

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 need to show both a valid reason you didn't respond and reasonable grounds to defend the claim itself.

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.

See our full letter template & generator library for related letters, or use our free checkers for guidance specific to your situation.