It has recently been announced by the Ministry of Justice that 172 Court and tribunal fees are set to increase by 10% in May 2024, including a number of Family Court fees.
His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) expects to increase the fees (last increased in 2021) to generate an additional £34-£42 million in revenue to support the service. Most fees announced are set to recover the cost of service or to subsidise other court fees which are charged at a lower rate or not charged at all in the interest of protecting vulnerable users .
Amongst the family court fees set to increase are the following:
- Application for a financial order (other than consent order) will rise from £275 to £303
- Application for a child arrangements order will rise from £232 to £255
- Application for an order by consent will rise from £53 to £58
For those on lower incomes or in receipt of state benefits, the ‘Help with Fees’ service is still available to you, and you may be eligible for a full or partial reduction of fees.
At Mayo Wynne Baxter we recognise that the breakdown of a marriage can be an expensive and complex process, with costs ever increasing. Our service includes providing all our clients with expert advice as well as full transparency in respect of the potential fees involved in family breakdown. If you do need to make an application to court, this is something that we can discuss with you, alongside the other potential funding options available to you.
Get in touch with a member of our Family Team.