Credit Cards for People with a County Court Judgement (CCJ)

Are you looking for credit cards for people with a county court judgement (CCJ)?
You could still be eligible to apply for a credit card if you have a CCJ on your file. However, it’s important to do thorough research before you consider making an application.
Understanding what a CCJ is and how it will affect your credit score is the first step when assessing your current financial situation and deciding whether applying for a new credit commitment is the right choice to take.

What is a CCJ in the UK?

If you borrow money from a credit provider and do not make your repayments, the creditor may take legal action to help them recover the money you owe. A CCJ is a type of court order. If the courts agree that you’re unlikely to pay the money back, they will send the CCJ claim form to you in the post, which should outline the repayment options that could be available to you.

Please note that a CCJ should never be the first step a creditor takes to recover your debt. There are several things a creditor must do before they’re able to apply for a CCJ.

Will a CCJ show on my credit report?

Typically, a CCJ will be recorded on your credit report, unless:

• You repay the money you owe within one calendar month of the CCJ being issued; or
• The CCJ was issued in error, and you’re able to prove this to the courts.

Will a CCJ affect my credit score?

If a CCJ is added to your credit report, it will cause your credit score to decline.
How many points will my credit score drop with a CCJ? If a CCJ is added to your credit report, you could expect to see a significant drop in your credit score.
The impact a CCJ has on your credit score may reduce over time. For example, a CCJ that’s been on your credit file for five years may have less of an impact than one that’s just been added.

How long does a CCJ last?

How long does a CCJ stay on your credit file? A CCJ will remain on your credit file for 6 years.

Unpaid CCJ: what happens next? What happens if you don’t pay a CCJ after 6 years?

If you don’t pay a CCJ, there are several things that could happen next. We’ve included a few examples below.

• The courts could send bailiffs to your home.
• You could receive an attachment of earnings order, where money is automatically taken from your wages in instalments.
• If you owe more than £5,000, the creditor could apply to make you bankrupt.

If you’re in need of financial or debt advice, please contact any of the following organisations for free guidance and support: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.

Will a CCJ affect my chances of getting credit?

Yes, having a CCJ on your credit file could very well have a negative effect on your chances of being considered for credit products.
Many credit providers will view a CCJ as a red flag. They may be concerned that you won’t keep on top of your repayments. The riskier your application, the less likely you are to be considered for credit. Your borrowing options are likely to be far more limited than those of someone with a good credit history.

Satisfied CCJ vs. unsatisfied CCJ

Simply put, a satisfied CCJ means that you have repaid the money you owe in full, while an unsatisfied CCJ means that the debt has not been repaid.
Whether your CCJ is satisfied or unsatisfied will have an impact on your likelihood of being considered for credit. Credit providers could be less likely to consider your application if your CCJ is unsatisfied.

Could I get a credit card with a CCJ?

Some credit card providers could be willing to consider applications from people with a CCJ, although, as discussed, please be aware that your borrowing options may be limited. If you are offered a credit card, you could be presented with a higher rate of interest and a lower starting credit limit.

Something else you should consider before applying for a credit card with a CCJ is the impact this could have on your finances.
Can you afford a credit card? You should be certain that you can afford to make your monthly repayments without leaving you short for your essential costs, such as your mortgage or rent, bills, and food.

A late or missed credit card repayment could damage your credit score, which you’ll want to avoid if you’re hoping to improve your credit position after a CCJ.

Credit cards for people with a CCJ: could I get a thimbl credit card with a CCJ?

You could be eligible for a thimbl credit card if you have a CCJ on your credit file. You can read our full eligibility criteria in the section below.

With a manageable starting credit limit to help you stay in control of your finances, the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card could be a suitable credit card for people with a CCJ or a history of bad credit. With responsible use, the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card could help you rebuild your credit score.

The thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card comes with a personalised starting credit limit between £200 and £2,000. Please be aware that if your credit history is poor, you could initially be offered a lower credit limit. However, with positive use over time, your credit limit could be eligible for an increase in the future.

Credit cards for people with a CCJ: check your eligibility for the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card

You can check your eligibility for the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card if you:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 70;
• Are a UK resident with at least 1 year's UK address history;
• Have a monthly net income of at least £800;
• Have an active credit account that has been open for a minimum of 12 months; and
• Do not already hold a Zable credit card.

thimbl is a credit broker. The thimbl credit card is powered by Zable, a trading name of Lendable Ltd. Lendable Ltd is unable to consider applications from anyone who has declared bankruptcy or is in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).

Checking your eligibility for the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card won’t affect your credit score.*

How does the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card work?

1. If approved, use the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card to make a necessary purchase that you can afford to repay.


2. Make at least the minimum repayment amount each month. If you can, you should try to make more than the minimum repayment amount. Clearing your balance in full every month means you won’t be charged interest.


3. Your provider will report your repayment activity to the credit reference agencies (CRAs), and over time, you could see an increase in your credit position.


4. It’s important to put other credit-building methods into practise alongside a credit builder credit card. Other credit-building methods include registering to vote, checking your credit report for errors, and paying your bills on time.

A credit card should never be an incentive to spend more money than you need to or can afford to repay.

How to get credit with a CCJ: which lenders accept CCJs?

Each lender has their own eligibility criteria, which must be met before you’re able to make an application. The credit provider’s eligibility criteria should tell you whether they’re willing to consider applications from people with a CCJ. All applicants, regardless of credit score and history, will need to undergo a full creditworthiness assessment as part of the decision-making process.

How to protect your credit score when applying for a credit card for people with a CCJ

Making multiple applications for credit in a short period of time could harm your credit score.
When you make an application with a direct lender, they will carry out a creditworthiness assessment, which includes a hard search or an Open Banking check. A hard credit search will be visible on your credit file for up to 12 months. Multiple hard credit searches in a short space of time could be harmful to your credit score.

One way of reducing multiple hard searches is to check your eligibility for a credit product before you submit a full application. Using soft search technology, an eligibility check can give you an idea of how likely you are to be considered for a certain credit product without affecting your credit score.*

Please note that not all credit providers offer an eligibility check.

Managing your credit card with a CCJ

A credit card, like any financial product, will have an effect on your credit score. There are things you can do to help make sure that this impact is positive.

• Make at least the minimum repayment amount each month.


• Stay well within your credit limit. Your credit limit is the total amount of money you can borrow on your credit card. Your credit limit should never be an incentive to spend money that you don’t need to or can’t afford to repay.


• Try to keep your credit utilisation below 30%. Your credit utilisation is the amount of credit you’re using of your overall credit limit. For example, if you have a credit card with a £500 credit limit and you use it to make a £100 purchase, your credit utilisation will be 20%.


• Avoid using your credit card to withdraw money. This is known as a cash advance and could signal poor money management.


• If you’re worried about an upcoming repayment, please contact your provider as soon as you can. The sooner they’re aware of your situation, the sooner they can help you, and they will work with you to come up with a solution.

What to do if you’re worried about your finances

If you’re struggling with money or are concerned about your level of debt, please know that you can reach out to any of the following charities and organisations for free, confidential advice: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.

*Zable is a trading name of Lendable Ltd. If you choose to make a full application, a creditworthiness assessment will be carried out by Zable. This will consist of a hard search and a further check powered by Open Banking. A hard search will remain on your credit file for up to 12 months, and multiple hard searches within a short period of time could have a negative impact on your credit score. Any credit obtained upon successful application will be provided by Lendable Ltd.

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