Business CCJs rise by 13%

County Court Judgments (CCJs) against businesses in England and Wales rose by 13 percent in 2021, compared to 2020, according to the latest figures released by Registry Trust.

The number of business CCJs increased from 77,134 in 2020 to 87,441 in 2021. The total value of CCJ debt owed by businesses rose by 12 percent, from £322 million to £359 million. The average value of business debt fell slightly, by nearly two percent (1.6%) from £4,178 to £4,110, while the median value fell by one fifth from £1,485 to £1,176 over the period.

The number of judgments against larger incorporated businesses was up by 16 percent, from 55,537 to 64,265. The total value rose from £255 million to £294 million, an increase of 16 percent. The average value was more or less unchanged at £4,581 in 2021 compared to £4,588 in 2020. But, the median value was down by one fifth from £1,602 to £1,190.

CCJs against smaller unincorporated businesses also rose, by seven percent, from 21,597 to 23,176. However, the total value fell slightly, by nearly four percent (3.6%) from £67 million to £65 million. This meant the average value fell by 10percent from £3,123 to £2,805, as did the median value, down 10 percent from £1,280 to £1,151.

The number of High Court Judgments against businesses fell by 22 percent from 263 to 206. The total value fell sharply, by 42 percent, from £337 million last year to £196 million this year. The small number of registered High Court Judgments means these figures are subject to large fluctuations.