Not an April Fool: Family Court Fees Are Rising from 1 April
Unfortunately, this is not an April Fool!
In early April 2025, subject to Parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Justice is set to increase around 171 Court and Tribunal fees to account for changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
In Family Law, when there is a relationship breakdown or a disagreement around children (and such disputes cannot be resolved via alternate dispute resolution methods) if Court proceedings have to be issued, a Court fee is (usually) payable.
Why the Increase in Family Court Fees?
The increase is intended to help and support the efficient and effective running of His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Services (HMCTS) which is notoriously underfunded and a service in desperate need of improvement.
Which Family Court Fees will be Affected?
Below are the main changes that will affect family law:
| Application | Current Fee | Proposed Fee |
|---|---|---|
| For a divorce, nullity or civil partnership dissolution | £593 | £612 |
| For a Financial Order (other than a Consent Order) | £303 | £313 |
| For a Consent Order | £58 | £60 |
| Within existing proceedings (on notice) | £184 | £190 |
| For Orders under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989 (Child Arrangement Order, Specific Issue Order & Prohibited Steps Order) | £255 | £263 |
It is now likely to cost 3% more to issue a Divorce application or to apply for a Child Arrangement Order after April.
Help with Fees
The Help with Fees remission scheme will remain in place to help those on low incomes or in receipt of state benefits through offering fee exemptions or reductions.
Contact us
All our family lawyers at Ridley & Hall are always looking for ways to help you manage your legal costs when dealing with the challenges of relationship disputes. Seeking legal advice at the outset is key to ensuring you receive the right support. Talk to a member of our team today to explore the funding options available for your legal matters.
If you want to avoid paying the upcoming fee increases, get in touch with us in plenty of time to avoid disappointment.
Clare Wilson – Solicitor
