A County Court Judgement (CCJ) can have a significant impact on a limited company. It is important for those running such companies to understand the potential implications of a CCJ and what steps they should take if they are faced with one. This article will explore how a CCJ could affect a limited company, as well as the measures that can be taken to minimise the impact.
What is a County Court Judgment (CCJ)?
When an individual or business has failed to make payment on a debt, the County Court may issue a CCJ. If left unresolved for too long, this judgment could result in the compulsory liquidation of the company. It’s essential that any outstanding debts are taken care of quickly and efficiently to avoid such legal action being brought against you or your organisation. CCJs can be a valuable part of an effective credit control process; if you are struggling to recover your debt, speak to your Accountancy Services provider to learn more about the options available to you.
How Does a CCJ Affect the Company and Its Directors?
As a director, you may want to consider this article for advice if your company has been issued with a CCJ, but always take professional advice from a specialist. On the other hand,Â
If payment of a County Court Judgment (CCJ) doesn’t occur after 30 days, it can have catastrophic effects on your business and its directors. Therefore, to protect yourself from financial ruin, make sure you prioritise paying off any CCJs on time!
When creditors have exhausted all methods of recovering the debt owed to them, they can take a serious step and submit an application for County Court Judgment (CCJ). It is essential that you understand what it implies and how its presence can affect your enterprise as well as yourself if you are a director. A CCJ has long-term consequences that should not be taken lightly, so make sure you weigh the pros and cons before applying for one.
How creditors obtain a CCJ against your Company
Creditors have the right to request a CCJ from the court if they’re not convinced that you are trying to pay your debts, normally this kind of action is only taken when there has been severe delinquency. Contacting them in order to negotiate payment plans or other solutions should always be considered prior to a creditor resorting to such drastic measures.
The CCJ process will launch with the issuing of a County Court Summons, which gives you 14 days to respond. However, if that’s not enough time for your business, you can always ask for an extra two weeks period from the court. Failure to reply or reach any kind of compromise on debt payment would leave the court with no other choice than awarding a default judgment and recording it against your company profile.
How to Avoid a possible CCJ against a Company?
There may be an opportunity to prevent the court from issuing a CCJ against your company if you have valid grounds to challenge this action. You can dispute the judgment if you don’t agree with the amount being claimed or even argue that it’s nonexistent.
In order to contest a creditor’s claim of a County Court Judgement (CCJ), you must fill out and submit form N244, along with any pertinent documentation, within the period specified after being informed about the CCJ.
If you choose to apply for setting aside the judgment, a court hearing is necessary where your attendance is compulsory; if not, there will be an order to pay the amount of judgment in full. Specify any dates that are impossible for attending a hearing when filling up the application form. A payment fee of £255 must be paid unless qualified for exemption by certain criteria set forth by law.
What if we pay the CCJ amount in full?
Don’t let a CCJ mar your credit file for the next six years. If you owe what is due, pay off the full amount within 30 days of the judgment date to ensure that it won’t appear in your record. Otherwise, it will stay visible on your report indefinitely.
If you settle your debt within the 30 day window, either in a single payment or through an approved instalment plan, the CCJ will still be noted on your credit report but labeled as “settled”, implying to future lenders that you have taken care of what was owed.
Implications of CCJ
A CCJ is an official court order that requires debtors to settle their debts, yet it does not provide any physical means for creditors to collect the owed funds. But don’t be fooled – a CCJ could still prove damaging. If you fail to pay what you owe, your creditor may file a winding-up petition (WUP) against your business as they will assume insolvency on account of this failure. Thus, even though there is no direct ‘force’ when dealing with a CCJ, neglecting payment can result in serious financial repercussions.
By taking the initiative and consulting with a certified insolvency expert, you can determine whether your business is in danger of becoming insolvent. This route is far more favourable than having an involuntary winding-up petition imposed upon you without warning. Through proactive measures such as voluntary liquidation, you may be able to avoid drastic action from creditors or other parties entirely.
What are the effects of a CCJ on my company?
For a period of six years, a CCJ will remain on your credit file and impede your ability to access advantageous lines of funding. Even though you may not need external financing right now, it is possible that these restrictions could impede the progress of your business in the future if you intend to pursue an expansion or growth project, upgrade essential machinery and vehicles or other key business assets, as well as when dealing with cash flow issues.
What is even more worrying, however, is the potential impact of a damaged credit file on your partnerships with suppliers. Like any other loan provider, suppliers might decline to work with you because of the CCJ. If that happens, you will need to discuss different payment options – for instance, having to pay beforehand for products or services before they are provided.
Contemplate the potential ramifications that a CCJ could create for your company and how it may hamper future goals. If you are worried about running your limited firm further or managing distress levels, be sure to seek advice from an authorized insolvency practitioner.
What effect does a CCJ have on a director?
A CCJ may not directly hold you responsible for your company’s debts, but it can certainly have a severe negative impact on the potential of your business and ripple into affecting other aspects in relation to your personal life.
It is imperative to be aware of whether your personal bank account shares the same institution as your company’s. In such cases, a CCJ may affect the relationship with that exact bank. For instance, a refusal for overdrafts and/or credit cards might take place due to this event. Furthermore, if you declare income from your business, it could be seen as volatile or unsteady, influencing your capacity to obtain funds personally.
Conclusion
It’s essential to take prompt action if your business is at risk of being issued a limited company CCJ. Clear House Accountants make sure that they provide their clients with effective solutions, we might be able to refer our partners who can help you sort the problem without having to go through the court system—for instance, maybe you could gain access to funding and financing before your company’s credit score takes a hit or perhaps our partner Insolvency specialists could help make arrangements for a Company Voluntary Arrangement. Don’t hesitate; take action now! You may want to look into filing for Administration, which will act as a safeguard from creditors and legal proceedings while you restructure. Clear House Accountants are experienced professional accountants who have built a strong partner network to provide holistic solutions to their clients, big or small. Please note these services and access to our partner network are for clients only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CCJ?
A County Court Judgement (CCJ) is an order handed down by a court of law, which legally requires you to pay back the money that your business owes to creditors. It applies to limited companies in the UK and it is usually issued as a final step when all other attempts at payment have been unsuccessful. The creditor or any agent appointed by them can apply for a CCJ against your company, so if you don’t keep up with payments as agreed, then this might be the result.
What should I do if my company has been issued a CCJ?
If your company has been issued with a CCJ or there’s imminent danger of being issued with one, it is essential to take prompt action before it has a serious effect on your company’s credit score and overall financial health. You may want to seek advice from an insolvency practitioner or look into filing for Administration. Additionally, you could consider exploring alternative sources of funding such as receiving equity investments in exchange for shares, getting access to government grants or taking out business loans.
What are the potential ramifications of having a CCJ?
Having a CCJ against your limited company can have many negative consequences. It will appear on your business’s credit file and may adversely affect your ability to gain external financing in the future as banks or other loan providers may be unwilling to lend money due to the poor credit rating. Similarly, suppliers may be hesitant to offer credit terms, leading to cash flow issues. Additionally, it may also lead to a decrease in morale among employees as they may feel insecure about the future of their job and/or wage stability. Finally, if you are worried that running your limited company will become unsustainable or unmanageable due to distress levels, be sure to seek advice from an authorized insolvency practitioner.
What can I do to prevent being issued with a CCJ?
The best way to avoid being issued with a CCJ is by ensuring that all payments owed by your business are paid promptly and on time. It is also important to keep track of any payment plans that have been agreed upon with creditors and strive for good relationships with suppliers. Additionally, you should keep a close eye on your company’s cash flow and seek professional advice if it starts to become an issue. Finally, look into alternative funding sources such as equity investments or government grants as these could provide long-term financial security for your business.
