Form N245: Apply to Vary or Suspend a UK County Court Judgment

You've received a county court judgment (CCJ) against you. The judge ordered you to pay money, either in full or in instalments. But your circumstances have changed. You've lost income, your expenses have risen, or bailiffs are at the door. Form N245 lets you ask the court to reduce your instalments or suspend the bailiff warrant without going back to trial.

This guide explains how to complete N245, what the court will consider, and what happens next.

The short version

Form N245 is a written request to the court to change the terms of an existing judgment. You use it to ask for lower instalments or to pause a bailiff's right to enforce. The court will look at your current income and expenses. You don't usually need a hearing unless the court decides it's necessary. The fee is £14 for warrant suspension only, £55 for instalment variation, though you can apply to remit the fee if you're on benefits or low income.

At a glance

What form N245 is

A N245 is a formal application to the court. It's not a plea for mercy or a letter. It's a structured, written statement of your financial situation that the court will use to decide whether changing the judgment is fair.

The form has six sections: your details, the judgment details, your income, your expenses, what you're asking for, and a declaration under oath.

Unlike an appeal (which argues the judgment was wrong), N245 assumes the judgment is correct but asks the court to change the payment terms because your circumstances have changed since the judgment was made.

When to use N245

There are two main situations.

Instalment reduction. You were ordered to pay in instalments (usually £50 to £500 per month), and you genuinely can't afford it. Perhaps you've been made redundant, your hours have been cut, or a major expense has appeared (illness, care for a parent, house repair). N245 lets you propose a lower instalment that fits your budget.

Warrant suspension. The court has authorised bailiffs to visit and seize goods to pay the debt. You want to stop that happening. You can ask the court to suspend the warrant indefinitely or for a set period, usually in exchange for proposing a payment arrangement you can stick to.

You can apply for both on the same form.

You cannot use N245 to appeal the judgment itself (arguing it was wrong) or to ask the court to cancel the debt. Use a different application for those.

Court fee

The fee is £14 if you're asking only for warrant suspension. It's £55 if you're asking to vary (change) the instalment terms. Some courts bundle both into the £55 fee; confirm with your local court if you're doing both.

If you're on income support, job seeker's allowance, employment support allowance, universal credit, or have a household income below around £15,000 per year, you can apply to remit the fee. This means the court agrees you can't pay it and proceeds for free.

To apply for fee remission, complete form EX160 and send it with your N245. The court will decide whether to grant it. Most applications succeed if you genuinely have very low income.

Section A: Your details

This is straightforward. Enter your full name, address, and contact details. If you have a solicitor representing you, include their details too. If you don't, write "In person" or "Litigant in person."

Include a phone number and email if you have one. The court will use these to contact you about the hearing or decision.

Section B: Details of the judgment

Write the date you received the judgment (the order). Include the judge's name if you know it, or just the court name. Enter the original debt amount and the interest (if any) that was added.

Write the current instalment you've been ordered to pay each month, even if you haven't been able to pay it. This is the court's order, not what you've actually managed to pay.

If the judgment includes a warrant for bailiff action, state that. Write the date the warrant was issued, if you know it.

Section C: Income

This is where you set out all the money coming into your household each month.

Include salary or wages (use your take-home pay after tax and national insurance, not gross). Include benefits: universal credit, income support, child benefit, disability payments, pension, maintenance from a former partner, rent from a lodger, any other regular income.

Be accurate. Don't round down or omit income hoping the court won't find out. The court has access to benefit records and can ask your employer for payslips. Being dishonest will damage your credibility and may lead the court to dismiss your application.

If your income varies (you do freelance work or seasonal jobs), write the average of the last three months.

List each source separately with the monthly amount.

Section D: Expenses

This is the critical section. The court will use income minus expenses to calculate what you can reasonably afford to pay.

Include essential expenses only: rent or mortgage, council tax, water and sewerage, gas and electricity, food for the household, telephone and internet, childcare, travel to work, car maintenance or public transport, insurance (buildings, contents, car), minimum debt repayments on other debts, medication or health costs.

Do not include luxury spending: streaming subscriptions (beyond one), restaurant meals, new clothes, holidays, or unnecessary phone plans.

Be precise. Get actual bills if you can. If you're renting, write the exact rent. If you own your home, write the mortgage. Don't guess. For food, estimate weekly shopping and multiply by 4.3 for the month.

Include reasonable childcare costs if you work. Include reasonable car costs if your job depends on it.

The court understands that you need to eat, keep warm, and travel. It will sympathise with genuine living costs. It will not sympathise with wants disguised as needs.

Add up all expenses and write the total.

Section E: What you are asking for

This is your proposal.

If you want to reduce instalments, state the monthly amount you believe you can afford. Be realistic. If the court thinks you've proposed too low, it will reject the application and you'll have to try again.

A rough guide: add up your income, subtract expenses, and whatever is left is what you can afford toward the judgment. But leave a small buffer (£10-20) in case an expense isn't covered.

If you want to suspend the warrant, state that clearly. You can propose suspending it on condition that you pay agreed instalments. For example: "I ask the court to suspend the bailiff warrant on condition I pay £75 per month by standing order."

If your circumstances are temporary (you've just been made redundant but expect new work in six months), state that. Ask for a reduction for six months, then review. Courts are more sympathetic to temporary change than indefinite claims.

Section F: Statement of truth

At the bottom, you must sign a declaration: "I believe the facts stated in this form are true."

This is not optional. If you sign falsely, you could face perjury charges. So be honest.

If you can't complete the form yourself, someone else can help you, but you must still sign it and confirm you understand what's in it.

Supporting evidence

Don't send supporting documents with N245 unless the form asks. The court will ask for evidence if it needs it.

But have the following ready:

• Last three payslips (if employed)
• Benefit statements (if claiming)
• Mortgage statement or tenancy agreement (proof of housing cost)
• Council tax bill (proof of council tax)
• Utility bills (proof of gas, water, electricity)
• Bank statements (proof of spending)
• Other court orders or debt arrangements you're paying toward

If you're asked to provide evidence (the court will write to you), send it within 10 days. If you don't, the court may assume your claim is false.

What happens after filing

Mail or deliver the completed N245 to the court that issued the judgment. Include the fee (or fee remission form).

The court will send you a receipt and a date to expect a reply, usually 2-4 weeks.

The claimant (the person or company you owe money to) will be sent a copy of your application. They can object in writing. Many do.

The court will then decide:

• On the papers (without a hearing): if both you and the claimant agree, or if the court is confident it can decide fairly.
• List a hearing: if there's a dispute or the court needs to ask you questions.

The hearing (if listed)

If the court lists a hearing, you'll receive a notice with a date, time, and location.

You must attend in person. You can bring a friend for support, but only you can speak for yourself (unless you have a lawyer).

The judge will ask you about your income and expenses. Be honest and calm. Bring the supporting evidence with you.

The claimant or their solicitor may ask questions. Don't get defensive. The judge will make a decision on the day or within a few days.

Common mistakes

Claiming false expenses. The court can see through invented costs. Don't claim gym membership or Netflix as essential expenses.

Omitting income. If you fail to disclose cash-in-hand work or benefits, and the court discovers it, your application fails and you look dishonest.

Proposing an unaffordable instalment anyway. If you ask for £100 a month but your income minus expenses is £30, the court won't believe you'll pay it. Propose what you can actually manage.

Missing the deadline. If the court asks for evidence by a set date and you miss it, your application may be dismissed.

Not signing the statement of truth. Without your signature, the form is invalid.

Ignoring the bailiff. While N245 is pending, don't ignore bailiff warnings. Contact the court urgently if bailiffs attend.

Day to day: timeline

• Week 1: Receive N245 form. Gather financial documents.
• Week 2: Complete form honestly. Calculate proposed instalment.
• Week 3: Pay fee (or apply for remission). Post to court.
• Week 4-6: Court acknowledges receipt. Claimant receives copy and may object.
• Week 8-10: Court decides on papers or lists hearing.
• If hearing: Attend on the date given. Bring evidence.
• Within days: Court sends decision in writing.

Common misconceptions

"The court will feel sorry for me and cancel the debt." No. N245 can only change payment terms, not cancel debt.

"If I don't mention something, the court won't know." The court can request evidence and access benefit records. Dishonesty will ruin your application.

"I can ignore the application and do nothing." If you don't return it, the court will make a decision on the claimant's version alone. File it even if the news is bad.

"The bailiff can't visit while my N245 is pending." Wrong. Bailiffs can still act unless the warrant is suspended. File urgently if they're about to visit.

"I need a solicitor to use N245." You don't. Many people file successfully on their own. Use a solicitor only if the case is complex or you're very anxious.

"I can propose any amount and the court will accept it." No. The court will check your math. If income minus expenses is £50 but you propose £200, the application fails.

Related concepts

• County court judgment explained
• Bailiff enforcement and warrant suspension
• How to complete court forms accurately
• Debt arrangement alternatives to court
• Fee remission and getting free court help
• Preparing evidence for court
• What counts as essential expenses
• Challenging a judgment (setting aside)

Sources

• Ministry of Justice. Form N245: Application for suspension of warrant and/or variation of an order. https://www.justice.gov.uk
• His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service. County court enforcement and bailiffs. https://www.gov.uk
• Citizens Advice. Dealing with a bailiff. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Disclaimer

This page provides general information about UK Form N245 and the court process. It is not legal advice. The law changes, and court procedures vary by region. If you're unsure about your situation, contact Citizens Advice or a qualified solicitor.

Written by Peter Kolomiets, founder of CaseCalm. UK content reviewed 28 May 2026.