Increase in Court fees

As of 1st May 2024, there has been an increase in 172 court fees. These increases have been brought in to raise additional revenue for the Ministry of Justice in view of inflation and to try and minimise the costs to general taxpayers in light of the increasing costs that the courts are facing.

The most notable Family Court fees that have increased:

• Applications for a financial remedy order – increasing from £275 to £303.

• Applications for a financial remedy consent order – increasing from £53 to £58.

• Applications for an order under the Children Act 1989 (e.g. for a Child Arrangements Order) – increasing from £232 to £255.

The divorce application fee will not be increased, remaining at £593, with the Ministry of Justice acknowledging that the underlying service has fairly recently been simplified, with digitalisation and the implementation of the no-fault process.

A full list of the changes to Court fees can be found on the GOV.UK website.

As is already the case, where there is financial difficulty in paying the Court fee, it remains possible to apply for help with Court fees.

The Government has confirmed that court fees would now be updated on a routine basis every two years to account for changes in costs and inflation. The next review will take place 2025/2026 with a view to any changes in Court fees being implemented in 2026.

Here at Ungoed-Thomas & King, we offer a free initial 30-minute consultation, and if you would like to make an appointment to speak with our Family Solicitor Michelle Smith, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01267 237441 or email us at mail@utk.co.uk.