As predicted in 'The Return of Breaking Law' a wigful (to fit an enormous head) of court fees will soon be introduced. To be precise, 129 of them in civil and family proceedings as well as in certain cases in the Court of Protection. To avoid paying the extra, you need to take the step which will attract the fee as soon as you can. The Ministry of Justice has said that the increased fees will be brought into force in early Autumn 2021 which means we could be looking at the start of October 2021 or shortly after. You can find full details of each and every increased fee at https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/increasing-selected-court-fees-income-thresholds/results/court-fees-increasing-consultation-response.pdf
Here are some of the increases -
To start a divorce, nullity or civil partnership dissolution case - up £43 to £593
To issue a county court or High Court application notice (form N244) - up £20 to £275
To issue a county court or High Court application notice BY CONSENT (form N244) - up £8 to £108
Hearing fee (otherwise called trial fee) for county court small claims case for £300 or less - up £2 to £27
Ditto for case for more than £300 but no more than £500 - up £4 to £59
Ditto for case for more than £500 but no more than £1,000 - up £5 to £85
Ditto for case for more than £1,000 but no more than £1,500 - up £8 to £123
Ditto for case for more than £1,500 but no more than £3,000 - up £11 to £181
Ditto for case for more than £3,000 - up £11 to £346
Hearing fee (otherwise called trial fee) for multi-track case in county court or High Court - up £85 to £1,175
The Help with Fees system which can mean no fee or a reduced fee survives. It will benefit you if you are on benefits. If not on benefits but a low income, have a go. The income thresholds for applicants not on benefits will be slightly raised at the same time as the fees go up.
