Court Fees
Court Fees: Complete 2025 Civil Fees Guide
Court fees or costs are essential considerations in any legal case. Whether you are pursuing a civil claim, defending an action, or handling complex litigation, understanding the charges involved can help you plan effectively and recover what you’re owed where possible.
In this updated guide (reflecting April 2025 changes), we outline:
- Recent changes to fee levels
- Fee remission and financial help are available
Key Changes to Court Fees – April 2025
The Ministry of Justice introduced updated court and tribunal fees from April 2025, reflecting inflation adjustments across the system.
- 171 fees were increased – the majority by 3.2% (aligned with Consumer Price Index (CPI) changes from March 2023 to March 2024)
- Select fees rose by 13.5% to account for backdated inflation from March 2022
- 24 fees were reduced to ensure alignment with the underlying cost of providing those services
The income generated helps fund His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), supporting improvements in service delivery and reducing the reliance on general taxpayer funding.
Crucially, the Help with Fees scheme remains available for those unable to afford court fees. We would always recommend applying for fee remission.
For full details, see the official Court and Tribunal Fees – GOV.UK.
What Are Court Fees?
Court fees are fixed charges payable to HMCTS when you begin or progress a case. They help cover the administrative costs of the courts.
You will typically pay court fees when:
- Filing a claim or application
- Scheduling a hearing
- Requesting an assessment of costs
- Applying for specific court orders
Examples of Current Fees (2025):
(Selected examples — not a complete list. For full fee tables, see GOV.UK Court Fees).
| Action | Fee |
| Recovery of Land (High Court) | £545 |
| Application for Judicial Review | £174 |
| Multi-track hearing fee | £1,334 |
| Filing a request for a detailed costs assessment (Court of Protection) | £99 |
| Divorce / Civil Partnership Dissolution | £612 |
Source: Ministry of Justice, April 2025
How Are Costs Assessed?
If you win your case and the court awards you costs, you will typically go through a detailed assessment to ensure the costs claimed are reasonable.
The usual process:
- Submit a Bill of Costs (using Form N252)
- Notify the other party (allowing them to dispute)
- If disputed, a detailed assessment hearing is held
- If agreed, or if no challenge is made, a default costs certificate can be issued (using Form N254)
Deadlines:
- You should commence assessment proceedings within 3 months of the costs order being made.
- You should request an assessment hearing 3 months after commencing assessment proceedings.
This process is governed by CPR Part 47 Budgeting & Court Rules
In many cases (especially those proceeding on the multi-track), parties must also comply with costs budgeting rules under CPR 3.12 – 3.18.
- Budgets set limits for recoverable costs, save where “good reason” exists to exceed those limits.
- Courts may penalise parties for exceeding budgets without approval.
- Draconian penalties exist for failing to file and exchange budgets on time.
Resources
FAQs
What if I can’t afford court fees?
You may qualify for Help with Fees, which can reduce or waive the charge. See GOV.UK Help with Fees.
How do I recover my costs?
If awarded costs, submit a Bill of Costs for assessment. You may recover some, but rarely all of your reasonable costs and expenses.
Are legal fees included in court costs?
Yes. Solicitor, counsel, and expert fees form part of the overall recoverable costs, subject to assessment.
For more detailed information on specific fees and how to apply for financial assistance, visit Court and tribunal fees: updates from April 2025 – GOV.UK