The number of debt judgments in Northern Ireland fell slightly during the first three months of 2017, according to figures released today by Registry Trust.
There were 1,925 small claims judgments in Q1 2017, three percent fewer than the first quarter of 2016. The total value rose by six percent, however, to £3.9m. The average value of a small claims judgment rose by nine percent to £2,049.
The number of judgments issued by the High Court increased by a quarter during the first quarter of the year, with 45 registered judgments worth a total of £8.5m. The average High Court judgment was £187,874. Only 3.35 percent of judgments in Northern Ireland were marked as satisfied in Q1 2017. This contrasts with 11.83 percent in England and Wales, where satisfaction rates are generally higher owing to differences between the legal systems.
“At the moment it is up to consumers to tell us if they have satisfied a judgment,” said Registry Trust chairman Malcolm Hurlston CBE. “The system works but the relative figures show it is far from perfect. If lenders notify us everybody will benefit.”
Defaults and small claims Q1 2017 (compared with Q1 2016)
- Total: 1,925 (down three percent)
- Value: £3.9m (up six percent)
- Average: £2,049 (up nine percent)
High Court judgments
- Total: 45 (up 25 percent)
- Value: £8.5m (up 120 percent)
- Average: £187,874 (up 76 percent)
