INCREASED COURT FEES FROM THE 25th July 2016: AN OVERVIEW & USEFUL LINKS

There have been requests, via twitter, that I publicise the increase in court fees that came into effect on the 25th July.  These are not universal increases (they do not increase issue fees in Part 7 claims for instance – but there are increases in Part 8 claims).

In recognition of the useful comments from Anton Smith below I have put a link here to Form EX50A which is the definitive form for the full list of fees.

THE STATUTORY INSTRUMENT

The Statutory Instrument is available here 

The full list of Civil and Family Court Fees from the 25th July 2016 is available here. 

KEY POINTS

Judicial review

There are increases in the fees payable on applying for judicial review; applying for a request to reconsider a decision and payment once a court gives permission.

Requests for detailed assessment

There are increases in the fees payable when a party is legally aided.

There is a sliding scale of fees on the filing of a request for a detailed assessment ranging from £369 (costs claimed do not exceed £15,000) to £6,160 (costs claimed exceed £500,000).

• The fee for the issue of a default costs certificate is   £66
• The fee on commencing an appeal in a detailed assessment £231
• The fee on a request or application to set aside a default costs certificate £121

Enforcement fees 

There are increased fees on sealing a write of control, requiring a debtor to attend court, applications for charging orders and similar enforcement processes.

ARE THE FEES ABOVE THE RATE OF INFLATION?

Read the explanatory memorandum

” The majority of fees affected by this instrument will be increased by a rate which is above the level of inflation. The Government has decided, in view of the financial circumstances and given the reductions to public spending, that such an increase is necessary in order to make sure that the courts and tribunals are adequately funded and access to justice is protected, in the long term.”