The number of county court judgments (CCJs) in England and Wales has surged by 17.5% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year, according to new data. The sharp rise highlights growing financial distress among households and businesses, with many struggling to keep up with payments.
One borrower, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters: "There were letters I didn't want to open. Each one felt like a hammer blow." She described how mounting debts led to a CCJ, which can damage credit scores and make it harder to secure loans or mortgages.
Credit experts warn that the increase may be fueled by the cost-of-living crisis, with rising energy bills, food prices, and interest rates pushing more people into arrears. CCJs are issued by courts when someone fails to repay a debt, and creditors seek a legal route to recover money. They can be enforced through wage deductions or asset seizures.
Consumer groups advise anyone facing debt difficulties to seek free advice from organizations like StepChange or Citizens Advice, rather than ignoring letters. "Ignoring the problem only makes it worse," said a debt advisor. "There are options, such as payment plans or breathing space schemes, that can help."
The data comes from the Registry Trust, which reported 142,319 CCJs in Q1 2025, up from 121,000 in Q1 2024. The average debt per judgment also rose slightly to £2,647.