Will the increase in Court fees apply to the divorce application fee?
Written by Anne Shears | Family Team | 19 April 2024
The Ministry of Justice has announced changes to Court fees scheduled for May this year. 172 Court fees are going to increase, but the Ministry of Justice has confirmed that the fee for an application for divorce will not change and will remain at £593.
This announcement is in response to a consultation where concerns were raised that an increase in that Court fee could force couples to remain in unhappy or abusive relationships. There was particular concern about the impact of a higher fee on access to justice, particularly for women who statistically are on lower incomes given the gender pay gap and can face more difficulties when navigating the justice system as they may have caring responsibilities.
In 2022/23 it cost £2.3 billion to run His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS); £727 million of that cost was funded through Court fees with the balance being paid by the taxpayer. Court Fees were last increased in 2021 and since then the Consumer Price Index has increased by 17.8% but the fees have not been updated accordingly.
Other Family Court fees will increase, and they include –
Application for a Parental Order – from £232 to £255
Application for a Financial Order – from £275 to £303
Application for a Consent Order – from £53 to £58
If you find yourself in need of family law advice or divorce solicitors, our Family law team is here to help you. Please contact our team by calling 01752 827030 or emailing family@nash.co.uk.
