The number of debt judgments registered against Northern Ireland consumers in 2020 was 3,207, a fall of 52 percent compared to the 6,649 registered in 2019, according to figures released by Registry Trust.
The total value of consumer judgment debt owed in 2020 also fell by just over half (54%) compared to last year, from £17.4 million to just under £8 million. The average value of consumer judgments fell slightly by four percent, from £2,612 to £2,485. The median value rose by over 18 percent from £862 to £1,021.
Registry Trust chairman Mick McAteer said “The latest Registry Trust data shows that Government and regulatory interventions, and forbearance by creditors, in response to the Covd-19 economic crisis have protected Northern Irish consumers. But, the signs are that the respite may be short lived as the numbers of debt judgments have risen sharply in the second half of the year.”
| Half Year 2019 | Half Year 2020 | Change (compared with 2019) | |
| Judgments against consumers | |||
| volume | 6,649 | 3,207 | -51.77% |
| total value | £17,375,729 | £7,968,364 | -54.14% |
| average* value | £2,612 | £2,485 | -4.29% |
| median value | £862 | £1,021 | 18.45% |