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Q4 and Year 2023 Statistics

Overview

The total number of commercial and consumer judgments registered in the British Isles in 2023 was 1,039,585, 243,448 of which were processed in Q4 2023. This total number excludes England and Wales High Court Judgments, Scotland Ordinary Causes and Northern Ireland High Court Judgments. Comparing the same quarter last year there was a 15% increase. 43,079 judgments were ‘satisfied’, a year-on-year increase of 6%.

98% of all judgments processed were from the England and Wales jurisdiction.

The total value of judgments across all jurisdictions in Q4 2023 was £502 million, a year-on-year increase of 19%.

The total value of judgments across all jurisdictions annually was £2,072,895,605, excluding England and Wales High Court Judgments, Scotland Ordinary Causes and Northern Ireland High Court Judgments

ENGLAND AND WALES:

Overview:

Both the number of judgments and the total value of those judgments registered in England and Wales increased in Q4 2023 as compared to the same period last year.

The total number of judgments increased by 16%, from 205,542 in Q4 2022 to 237,558 in Q4 2023. This quarter the total value of judgments stood at £466 million an increase of 15% from the same period last year.

  • Consumer judgments in England and Wales:

The total number of judgments registered against consumers increased by 21%, from 175,276 in Q4 2022 to 211,202 in Q4 2023. The value of debt against consumers also increased by 15%, from £303 million to £348 million. However, the average value of debt against consumers decreased by 5%, from £1,730 to £1,648.

  • Commercial judgments in England and Wales:

The number of judgments in England and Wales has decreased by 13%, from 30,281 in Q4 2022 to 26,356 in Q4 2023. The total value of debt also increased by 15%, from £102.4 million in Q4 2022 to £118 million in Q4 2023. The average value of debt also increased from, £3,384 to £4,478 a rise of 32%.

  • Corporate business debt in England and Wales:

The total number of judgments against corporate businesses decreased from 24,277 in Q4 2022 to 21,130 in Q4 2023, a decrease of 13%. The total value of debt against businesses increased by 21% year-on-year, from £83 million in Q4 2022 to £100 million in Q4 2023. The average value of debt also increased by 39%, from £3,409 in Q4 2022 to £4,734 in Q4 2023.

  • Non-corporate business debt in England and Wales

The number of judgments against non-corporate businesses has seen a 13% decrease from the same period last year, from 6,004 to 5,226. The total value of debt for non-corporate judgments also decreased by 9%, from £20 million in Q4 2022 compared to £18 million in Q4 2023. However, the average value of debt increased from £3,285 to £3,443, an increase of 5%.

SCOTLAND:

Overview:

The number of decrees registered in Scotland has seen a decrease of 26% this quarter from the same period last year, from 4,572 in Q4 2022 to 3,378 in Q4 2023. The total value of debt has decreased by 10% from £7 million to £6 million. However, the average value of debt has increased year- on- year by 22%, from £1,542 to £1,877.

  • Consumer judgments in Scotland:

The total number of decrees registered against Scottish consumers has decreased by 21%, from 3,488 in Q4 2022 to 2,758 in Q4 2023. The total value of consumer debt has seen a small decrease of 3%, from £5.5 million in Q4 2022 to £5.3 million in Q4 2023. However, the average value of consumer debt increased by 23%, from £1,588in Q4 2022 to £1,945 in Q4 2023.

  • Commercial judgments in Scotland:

The number of business decrees in Scotland saw decrease of 43%, from 1,084 in Q4 2022 to 620 in Q4 2023. The total value of business debt also decreased by 35%, from £1.5 million in Q4 2022 to £1 million in Q4 2023. However, the average value of debt saw an increase of 13%, from £1,392 to £1,575.

  • Corporate business debt in Scotland:

The total number of decrees against corporate businesses decreased from 938 to 522 year-on-year, a reduction of 44%. The total value of debt against corporate businesses also decreased by 32%, from £1 million in Q4 2022 to £790,297 in Q4 2023. However, the average value of debt increased by 23%, from £1,236 in Q4 2022 to £1,514 in Q4 2023.

  • Non-corporate business debt in Scotland:

The number of decrees against non-corporate businesses saw a decrease by 33% compared to the same period last year, from 146 in Q4 2022 to 98 in Q4 2023. The total value of debt against these businesses also decreased by 47% from £349,928 in Q4 2022 to £186,146 in Q4 2023. The average value of debt against non-corporate businesses saw a decrease of 21% from £2,397 to £1,899.

NORTHERN IRELAND:

Overview:

The number of judgments increased from 1,190 in Q4 2022 to 1,506 in Q4 2023, an increase of 26.5%. However, the total value of debt decreased slightly from £2.87 million in Q4 2022 to £2.85 million in Q4 2023, a decrease of 1%. The average value also decreased by 21%. from £2,409 to £1,893.

  • Consumer judgments in Northern Ireland:

The total number of judgments registered against consumers in Northern Ireland increased year-on-year by 40%, from 813 in Q4 2022 to 1,136 in Q4 2023. The total value of consumer debt also increased by 9%, from £1.9 million in Q4 2022 to £2.1 million in Q4 2023. The average value of consumer debt decreased by 22%, from £2,347 in Q4 2022 to £1,823 in Q4 2023.

  • Commercial judgments in Northern Ireland:

The total number of business judgments in Northern Ireland decreased by 2%, from 377 in Q4 2022 to 370 in Q4 2023. The total value of business debt also decreased from £958,527 in Q4 2022 to £779,740 in Q4 2023, a decrease of 19%. The average value of debt also experienced a decrease of 17%, from £2,543 in Q4 2022 to £2,107 in Q4 2023.

  • Corporate business debt in Northern Ireland:

The total number of judgments against corporate businesses decreased slightly from 349 in Q4 2022 to 348 in Q4 2023, a decrease of 0.3%. The value of debt against corporate businesses also decreased by 19% from £895,292 in Q4 2022 to £726,751 in Q4 2023. The average value of corporate debt decreased by 19%, from £2,565 in Q4 2022 to £2,088 to Q4 2023.

  • Non-corporate business debt in Northern Ireland:

The total number of judgments against non-corporate businesses decreased by 21% compared to the same period last year, from 28 in Q4 2022 to 22 in Q4 2023. The value of debt against these businesses also decreased from £63,235 in Q4 2022 to £52,989 in Q4 2023, an 16% drop. However, the average value of debt against non-corporate businesses increased by 6.6%, from £2,258 in Q4 2022 to £2,409 in Q4 2023.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:

Overview:

The number of judgments registered in the Republic of Ireland saw an increase of 163% from 252 in Q4 2022 to 663 in Q4 2023. The total value of increased by 283%, from €7 million in Q4 2022 to €26 million Q4 2023. The average value of judgments also increased by 46%, from €27,001 in Q4 2022 to €39,352 in Q4 2023.

  • Consumer judgments in Republic of Ireland:

The number of judgments registered against consumers increased by 143%, from 172 in Q4 2022 to 418 in Q4 2023. The total value of consumer debt also increased by 273%, from €5.3 million in Q4 2022 to €19.9 million in Q4 2023. The average value of consumer debt saw an increase of 55% from €31,083in Q4 2022 to €47,754 in Q4 2023.

  • Commercial judgments in Republic of Ireland:

The number of business judgments registered in the Republic of Ireland increased by 206%, from 80 in Q4 2022 to 245 in Q4 2023. The total value of business debt has also seen an increase of 320% from €1 million in Q4 2022 to €6 million in Q4 2023. The average value of business debt also experienced an increase of 37%, from €18,225 in Q4 2022 to €25,018 in Q4 2023.

  • Corporate business debt in Republic of Ireland:

The total number of judgments against corporate businesses has increased 209%, from 69 in Q4 2022 to 213 in Q4 2023. The value of debt against these businesses also increased by 330% from €1.36 million in Q4 2022 to €5.8 million in Q4 2023. The average value of debt also saw an increase of 39% from €19,661 in Q4 2022 to €27,418 in Q4 2023.

  • Non-corporate business debt in Republic of Ireland:

The number of judgments against non-corporate businesses has seen increase of 191% as compared to the same period last year, from 11 in Q4 2022 to 32 in Q4 2023. The value of debt against these businesses also increased from €101,372 in Q4 2022 to €289,252 in Q4 2023, an increase of 185%. The average value of debt against non-corporate businesses decreased by 2%, from €9,216 in Q4 2022 to €9,039 in Q4 2023.

JERSEY:

Overview:

Both the number of judgments registered and the total value in Jersey saw an increase compared to the same period last year.

The total number of judgments increased, from 227 in Q4 2022 to 236 in Q4 2023, a rise of 4%. The total value of debt also increased from £552,043 in Q4 2022 to £849,502 Q4 2023, a rise of 54%. The average value of business debt increased by 48%, from £2,432 in Q4 2022 to £3,600 in Q4 2023.

  • Consumer judgments in Jersey:

The total number of judgments registered against consumers decreased by 5%, from 197 in Q4 2022 to 188 in Q4 2023. The value of consumer debt also decreased by 20%, from £419,899 in Q4 2022 to £336,262 in Q4 2023. The average value of consumer debt fell by 16% from the same period last year, from £2,131 in Q4 2022 to £1,789 in Q4 2023.

  • Commercial judgments in Jersey:

The number of business judgments registered in Jersey increased by 60%, from 30 in Q4 2022 to 48 in Q4 2023. The total value of business debt increased by 288% from £132,144 in Q4 2022 to £513,240 in Q4 2023. The average value of business debt also increased by 143%, from £4,405 in Q4 2022 to £10,693 in Q4 2023.

  • Corporate business debt in Jersey:

The total number of judgments against corporate businesses increased by 186%, from 14 in Q4 2022 to 40 in Q4 2023. The total value of debt against these businesses increased by 867%, from £48,887 in Q4 2022 to £472,927 in Q4 2023. The average value of debt also increased by 239%, from £3,492 in Q4 2022 to £11,823 in Q4 2023.

  • Non-corporate business debt in Jersey:

The number of judgments against non-corporate businesses decreased by 50% compared to the same period last year, from 16 in Q4 2022 to 8 in Q4 2023. The total value of debt against these businesses also decreased by 51%, from £83,257 in Q4 2022 to £40,313 in Q4 2023. The average value of debt against the non-corporate businesses also decreased by 3%, from £5,204 in Q4 2022 to £5,039 in Q4 2023.

ISLE OF MAN:

Overview:

Both the number of judgments registered and the value of debt in the Isle of Man increased as compared to the same period last year.

The total number of judgments increased from 64 in Q4 2022 to 107 in Q3 2023, a rise of 67%. The total value of debt also increased by 102%, from £121,969 in Q4 2022 to £246,810 in Q4 2023.

  • Consumer judgments in the Isle of Man:

The total number of judgments registered against consumers increased by 63%, from 52 in Q4 2022 to 85 in Q4 2023. The total value of consumer debt also saw an increase of 128%, from £73,174 in Q4 2022 to £166,548 in Q4 2023. The average value of consumer debt saw an increase of 39%, from £1,407 in Q4 2022 to £1,959 in Q4 2023.

  • Commercial judgments in the Isle of Man:

The number of business judgments registered in the Isle of Man increased by 83% compared to the same period last year, from 12 in Q4 2022 to 22 in Q4 2023. The total value of business debt has also seen an increase of 64% as compared to the same period last year, from £48,795 in Q4 2022 to £80,262 in Q4 2023. However, the average value of business debt decreased by 10%, from £4,066 in Q4 2022 to £3,648 in Q4 2023.

  • Corporate business debt in Isle of Man:

The total number of judgments registered against corporate businesses increased by 233%, from 6 in Q4 2022 to 20 in Q4 2023. The total value of corporate debt also saw an increase of 98%, from £39,330 in Q4 2022 to £77,773 in Q4 2023. However, the average value of corporate debt experienced a decrease of 41%, from £6,555 in Q4 2022 to £3,889 in Q4 2023.

  • Non-corporate business debt in Isle of Man:

The total number of judgments registered against non-corporate businesses has decreased from 6 judgments in Q4 2022 to 2 in Q4 2023. The total value of debt against these businesses also decreased from £9,465 in Q4 2022 to £2,489 in Q4 2023. The average value of non-corporate debt experienced a decline from £1,578 in Q4 2022 to £1,245 in Q4 2023, drop of 21%.

2023 Yearly Breakdown of Judgments

Overview

  • The total number of all judgments for 2023 was 1,317,588 (including cancellations and satisfactions)
  • There was a 16% increase year-on-year, from 1.13 million in 2022 to 1.31 million in 2023
  • 98% of all judgments were accounted in the England and Wales jurisdiction

ENGLAND AND WALES:

  • The total number of judgments was 1,287,134.
  • There was a 16% increase year-on-year, from 1.1 million in 2022 to 1.3 million in 2023.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter one stood at 332,789, a 15% rise from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter two stood at 342,738, a 19% increase from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter three stood at 317,376, a 12% increase from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter four stood at 309,740, an 18% increase.

SCOTLAND

  • The total number of judgments was 18,942.
  • There was an 11% decrease year-on-year, from 21,304 in 2022 to 18,942 in 2023.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter one stood at 4,932, a 17% increase from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter two stood at 4,939, a 14% decrease from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter three stood at 4,700, a 20% drop from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter four stood at 4,371, a 21% decrease.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  • The total number of judgments was 7,656.
  • There was a 35.5% increase year-on-year, from 5,650 in 2022 to 7,656 in 2023.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter one stood at 1,698, a 26% increase from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter two stood at 2,100, a 58% rise from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter three stood at 2,043, a 37% increase from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter four stood at 1,815, a 23% increase.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

  • The total number of judgments was 2,138.
  • There was a 63% increase year-on-year, from 1,312 in 2022 to 2,138 in 2023.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter one stood at 432, a 32% increase from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter two stood at 452, a 30% increase from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter three stood at 566, a 53% increase from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter four stood at 688, a 157% rise.

JERSEY

  • The total number of judgments was 1,334.
  • There was a 13% increase year-on-year, from 1,176 in 2022 to 1,334 in 2023
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter one stood at 434, a 20% increase from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter two stood at 319, a 7% increase from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter three stood at 324, a 25% rise from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter four stood at 257, a small increase of 1%.

ISLE OF MAN

  • The total number of judgments was 384.
  • There was a 13% decrease year-on-year, from 441 in 2022 to 384 in 2023.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter one stood at 93, a 28% decrease from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter two stood at 110, a 62% drop from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter three stood at 40, a 73% reduction from last year.
  • Judgments registered in this jurisdiction for quarter four stood at 141, a decrease of 44%.