Last updated: August 12th, 2026
Yes, you can usually get business finance with a CCJ — but which options are open to you depends on four things: whether the judgment is satisfied, how old it is, how much it was for, and what security you can offer.
A live or recently settled County Court Judgment makes funding harder, not impossible. High street banks decline on any CCJ as a matter of policy. Specialist lenders assess the underlying trading position, and several will lend where a bank will not.
We are an independent commercial finance broker in Bolton with access to over 100 lenders, and we place adverse credit cases regularly. We charge no broker fee, and we will tell you honestly if something is not placeable rather than run you through a pointless application.
Call 0161 546 9128 or fill in the form below.
Can You Get Business Finance With A CCJ?
Yes. There are business finance options that accept applications from companies and directors with a CCJ. The judgment could be registered against the company, or against an individual director or sole proprietor — lenders look at both.
What is available depends on your sector, your assets and the specifics of the judgment. Find the scenario below that matches your situation.
Was the CCJ settled within a month?
If so, the judgment can be removed from the court register entirely, which makes raising finance considerably easier. If you have paid within the month and it is still showing, apply to the court to have it removed — it is worth doing before you approach any lender.
Was the CCJ settled after a month?
It will remain on the register but should show as satisfied. If it is not yet marked satisfied, inform the court it was paid and request a certificate of satisfaction. This makes funding harder than a clean file but options remain open, and a satisfied judgment over three years old carries noticeably less weight than a recent one.
Is the CCJ still live and you need a loan to settle it?
This is the most difficult scenario, but there may still be options. It is very likely you will need to provide security in the form of an asset — owned either by the company or by a director. Property, vehicles, plant and machinery or a debtor book can all serve.
Are You Challenging Or Defending A CCJ Claim?
If you are defending a claim from a creditor, it will still show as an unsettled CCJ on your file until resolved. After that, a judgment stays on record for six years unless cleared within one month or successfully defended.
Whatever the scenario: disclose it upfront
Lenders run the searches and will find the judgment regardless. A CCJ declared at the outset with a short factual explanation is a manageable fact. The same judgment discovered after an offer has been issued usually kills the deal — because at that point there is a credibility problem as well as a credit problem.
One short paragraph is enough: what happened, why, what changed, and what has been settled. No excuses and no drama. It is routinely the difference between a decline and a referral to an underwriter.
If you have a CCJ and would like to speak with one of our funding experts, call 0161 546 9128 or fill in the form below.
What Lenders Actually Look At
Beyond the fact of the judgment, underwriters weigh five things:
- Satisfied or unsatisfied — the single biggest factor
- Age — judgments over three years old are treated far more leniently
- Value — a £900 supplier dispute reads very differently from a £40,000 judgment
- Cause — a documented commercial dispute is not the same as simple non-payment
- Pattern — one judgment is an incident, several are a habit
Alongside that they will look at current trading. Adverse credit from three or four years ago set against two years of clean, profitable trading since is a far easier case than the same event six months ago. See our glossary entry on CCJs for how judgments are recorded and removed.
Speak To A Business Finance Expert
We are experienced at helping companies across the UK with CCJs secure funding. Call 0161 546 9128 or fill in the form below.
What Types Of Business Funding Can You Get With A CCJ?
Here are the realistic options with a satisfied or unsettled CCJ. Some are only available to companies in certain sectors. As a general rule, the more security behind a facility, the less the judgment matters.
Business Loans With A CCJ
A live judgment falls outside the eligibility criteria of most business loan providers. If it was settled within a month you may be able to apply once it has been cleared from your file.
If it was settled after a month but was for a small amount and the company is financially stable, some banks and specialist loan providers will still consider a short or long term loan — priced for the additional risk.
Merchant Cash Advance With A CCJ
If your business takes card payments, this is often the most accessible option. The advance is underwritten primarily against your card takings rather than a credit score, so a CCJ carries much less weight. Funds can be available in 24 to 72 hours.
Bridging Loan With A CCJ
Regardless of circumstances, you may be able to use property as security for a secured facility. Even with an unsettled judgment there are often secured options available, because the lender’s protection comes from the property rather than from your credit history.
Invoice Factoring & Invoice Discounting With A CCJ
Is your business owed money? If you have a substantial debtor book you may be able to raise funding against it. A number of invoice finance providers will consider applications from businesses with a CCJ, because they are largely assessing your customers’ creditworthiness rather than yours.
Asset Finance With A CCJ
You may be able to raise funding by refinancing an existing asset — vehicles, machinery, plant or equipment owned outright. This is frequently the most straightforward route with adverse credit.
Acquiring new assets is also possible with a satisfied CCJ, though you would normally need to put down a cash deposit.
Commercial Mortgages With A CCJ
If you already have a commercial mortgage on your premises, remortgaging with a CCJ may be possible depending on the loan to value and recent financial performance.
A new commercial mortgage with a recently satisfied judgment is also achievable, again subject to performance and the size of the judgment.
CCJ Business Finance FAQ
Can I get a business loan with a CCJ?
Often yes, though a live judgment falls outside most mainstream lenders’ criteria. Satisfied judgments, particularly those over three years old, are considerably easier to place. Secured options such as asset finance, invoice finance and merchant cash advances are the most accessible because the lender’s protection comes from the security rather than your credit file.
How long does a CCJ stay on my record?
Six years from the date of judgment. If you pay in full within one month it can be removed from the register entirely. Paid after that, it remains for the full six years but is marked as satisfied, which lenders treat far more favourably than an outstanding judgment.
Can I get finance to pay off a CCJ?
It is the hardest scenario, but possible. You will almost certainly need to offer security — property, vehicles, machinery, or a debtor book — owned either by the company or by a director. Unsecured lending against a live judgment is very unlikely.
Does a CCJ against me personally affect my company’s borrowing?
Yes, on most unsecured lending, because it is normally supported by a director’s personal guarantee and lenders assess the guarantor as well as the company. On asset-backed and secured facilities it matters much less.
Should I tell the lender about the CCJ?
Always. Lenders run the searches and will find it. A judgment declared upfront with a brief factual explanation is a manageable fact; one discovered after an offer is issued usually ends the application, because it becomes a credibility issue as well as a credit issue.
Will applying with a CCJ damage my credit file further?
A cluster of applications in a short period can, because multiple searches read as distress. This is why scattergun broking is harmful. We approach lenders selectively, based on which will actually consider your circumstances, rather than submitting your details everywhere.
Discuss Your Available Business Finance Options
Tell us about your circumstances and we will assess what finance options are realistically available to you. A decline elsewhere is a starting point for us, not an obstacle.
For a free, no-obligation assessment, call 0161 546 9128 or fill in the form below. We charge no broker fees.
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Bolton Business Finance Ltd is a commercial finance broker. We arrange non-regulated business and commercial property finance only and are not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Eligibility, terms and pricing are determined by the lender and subject to underwriting. This page is general guidance, not advice, and not legal advice on court judgments.