In Focus Collections


Mixed signals on judgment debt


Figures for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland reveal falls this year, but an increased overall


Mick McAteer Chair, Registry Trust


County Court Judgments (CCJs) registered against businesses England and Wales fell by 24% in the second half of 2021 (H1 2021), compared to the same period in 2020, according to our figures. The number of CCJs against businesses


fell from 46,117 in H1 2020 to 35,228 in H1 2021. The total value of business judgments fell slightly, by just over 4%, from £165m to just under £158m. Overall, there were fewer but larger


judgments taken out against businesses in this half year. The average value of business judgments


rose from £3,574 to £4,472, an increase of 25% compared to H1 2020. The median value also rose from £1,225 to £1,378, up 12% over the period. CCJs against smaller unincorporated


businesses fell by just under 10%, from 11,218 to 10,112. The total value of CCJ debt owed by small businesses in H1 2021 was £30 m, down 8% from £33m in H1 2020. The number of judgments against larger


incorporated businesses fell by 28% from 34,899 to 25,116. The value fell slightly, by nearly 4%, from £132m to £127m. The average value rose by 34% from £3,775 to £5,059, with the median value up 19% from £1,228 to £1,459. High Court Judgments against businesses


fell by 39% from 163 to 99, with the total value down by 26% from £155m to £115m. As a result, the average value of High Court judgments increased by 22%,


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High Court Judgments against businesses fell by 39% from 163 to 99, with the total value down by 26% from £155m to £115m. As a result, the average value of High Court judgments increased by 22%, from £948,529 to £1.2 m. The median value rose by more than three quarters from £65,000 to £115,278


Northern Ireland The number of debt judgments registered against Northern Ireland consumers in the first half of 2021 (H1 2021) was 1,678, a fall of nearly 12% from the 1,900 in the same period last year.


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from £948,529 to £1.2 m. The median value rose by more than three quarters from £65,000 to £115,278. Government interventions shielded


businesses against the worst economic impacts of Covid. Judgments in the first half of this year are lower than the same period last year. But, numbers are rising again suggesting damage to business finances may now be showing up,


But, the total value of judgment debt


owed by consumers rose by nearly 10% from £4.2m in H1 2020 to £4.6m in H1 2021. As a result, the average value of


consumer judgments rose by 25%, from £2,206 last year to £2,748. The median value was also higher, up 8%, from £888 to £963. Judgments against Northern Ireland


businesses fell by more, down 24% from 353 in H1 2020 to 269 in H1 2021. The total value of business judgments fell by a similar degree, 21%, from £1.2m to £976,602. As a result, the average value of business judgments rose slightly, by 3%, from £3,521 to £3,630. But, the median value was 14% higher,


at £1,1605 compared to £1,020 in the same period last year. This suggests there were fewer smaller judgments pushing up the median value. It is welcome that the number of


judgments against Northern Irish consumers in the first half of this year is down compared to the same period last year. This reflects the fact that judgment


numbers were very high pre-Covid, and interventions by government and regulators, and forbearance by creditors have been protecting consumers. But, as these measures are being wound


down, numbers appear to be trending upwards again suggesting the Covid economic crisis is far from over for financially vulnerable households. CCR


August 2021


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