What does the term 'judgment debt' refer to?

The term 'judgment debt' refers specifically to a sum of money that a court has ordered a debtor to pay to a creditor. This obligation arises from a judicial decision or ruling in which the court determines that one party owes a certain amount to another. Once a judgment is issued, it becomes a legally enforceable obligation, and the creditor can take steps to collect the debt, potentially through means such as garnishing wages or seizing assets.

In contrast, other options represent different legal and financial concepts that do not accurately capture the definition of judgment debt. For example, interest calculated on a loan amount is a separate financial obligation that does not involve a court ruling, while a legal penalty for non-compliance with a court order pertains to sanctions imposed for failing to follow court directives rather than for monetary payment. Furthermore, fees for legal representation relate to the costs incurred for legal services rather than a debt resulting from a judicial decision.