UK consumer debt judgments rise for fifth year

Over the same period, the number of online searches by people checking judgment status grew by seven percent to just under 75,000 searches.

During Q1 2018, 315,121 consumer judgments were registered in the UK, almost double the 162,000 judgments issued during Q1 2010. Rising two percent on the first quarter of 2017, the total number of adverse county court judgments (CCJs) has risen year-on-year for the past five years.

The average UK consumer judgment remained close to Q1 2017’s average, decreasing by one percent; the total value of judgments also remained mostly stagnant, increasing by just two percent.

The total value was £476.1m, up two percent, while the average value was £1,511, down one percent.

These statistics cover county court judgments registered in England & Wales; simple procedure, ordinary cause and small claims decrees registered in Scotland; and default and small claims decrees from Northern Ireland.

Malcolm Hurlston CBE, chairman of Registry Trust, said: “More people are realising the value of a quick and inexpensive online check before any transaction. Later this quarter, TrustOnline will become more mobile friendly.”