The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Family Court fees will rise as of 1st May 2024, in line with the Government’s proposal that all court and tribunal fees increase by up to 10%.
The MoJ stated that ‘implementing increases to court and tribunal fees is vital to our ongoing work to protect access to the courts for all those who seek justice.’
The aim is to ensure that the courts can be properly resourced, as the increases will generate between £34 million and £43 million a year.
Court fees have not increased since 2021, and the incoming change is to ensure that the courts can keep pace with increased costs, as well as improving service and reduce the taxpayer’s costs. The increased income will also support in subsidising the cost of the free services offered by the family courts.
A break down of the changes
Child arrangements orders will see an increase in cost, rising from £232 to £263. Child arrangements orders are put in place by the court to set out responsibilities regarding children, including their living arrangements and their contact with both parents.
Other children issues will also see the same cost increase, including orders such as Specific Issue Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Special Guardianship Orders, as well as applications for parental orders.
The cost of an application for adoption, or permission to apply for adoption will rise from £183 to £201.
A financial order application, not by consent, will see a cost rise from £275 to £303.
It has been confirmed that the cost of a divorce/civil partnership dissolution application will not rise. It will therefore remain £593.
The Government website has a full breakdown of all the fee changes.
