From 1 April 2025, a number of court fees, including family court fees, have increased in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This includes the court fee for an application for a divorce or civil partnership dissolution, after a proposed fee increase for these applications was rejected in 2024. The following are amongst those fees that have increased:
- Application for a divorce, or civil partnership dissolution has risen from £593 to £612
- Application for a child arrangements order has risen from £255 to £263
- Application for an order by consent has risen from £58 to £60
- Application for a financial order (other than consent order) has risen from £303 to £313
It is hoped that money raised through increasing court fees will assist in the running of court services. Court fees generated £727 million of the approximately £2.3 billion it cost to run HMCTS in 2022/2023, with the remainder funded by the taxpayer.
For those with lower incomes or in receipt of state benefits, the ‘Help With Fees’ service remains available and you may be eligible for a full or partial reduction of the court fee. If you do need to make an application to court, this is something that a solicitor can discuss with you, alongside the other potential funding options available to you.
If you are considering an application to the family court, you should seek legal advice at an early stage. Our Family Law Solicitors can advise you as to all of the available options for you, including options to reach a resolution outside of the court process. With our experience, we can guide you through your dispute in a sensitive but effective way to ensure an appropriate outcome. Contact us today on 01206 764477 or email us at enquiries@ellisons.com for a free exploratory call.
