This guide is maintained as a current resource for September 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Explore court fees and associated costs in family proceedings in England and Wales, including divorce and children cases, fee increases from 2025, help with fees, enforcement and appeals, and strategies to manage legal expenses.
Engaging with the family courts in England and Wales involves financial obligations beyond legal advice and representation. Parties must typically pay court fees to start and pursue proceedings, and may incur additional costs related to solicitors, expert reports, enforcement steps and appeals. Understanding how these fees and costs operate, what determines their scale, and what options exist to manage or reduce them is essential for anyone navigating family law disputes.
Introduction
When family issues such as divorce, child arrangements, financial settlements or enforcement of orders reach court, the system charges fees simply to file the relevant applications and take procedural steps. These court fees contribute to the running of His Majesty's Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and vary according to the type of application being made. In addition to official fees, parties can face legal costs (e.g. solicitors' and barristers' charges), costs of expert evidence and potential orders for costs between parties. This article explains how fees and costs arise in family proceedings, the key categories involved, and practical information on relief schemes such as help with fees.
Court Fees: How and When They Apply
Fee Structure and Recent Changes
Most family court fees are set out in the Fees in the Civil and Family Courts (EX50) guide published by the government. These apply across the family court, county court and High Court unless stated otherwise. Fees are reviewed periodically; in April 2025 many were increased in line with inflation and to support HMCTS operations.
Examples of current fees include:
- Divorce or civil partnership dissolution applications: £612.
- Applications under the Children Act 1989 (such as child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue orders): £263.
- Financial remedy applications (contested): approximately £313.
- Consent financial orders: around £60.
- Applications within existing proceedings: like an application to vary an order on notice, approximately £190.
Court fees must usually be paid at the time of filing the appropriate form at court. Failure to pay can delay or prevent the application being processed.
Fees for Specific Family Matters
Beyond initiating proceedings, family court fees may also apply for:
- Enforcement proceedings: if you need the court to enforce money orders, return of property or other obligations, a modest fee is charged.
- Copy documents: obtaining certified copies of orders or case papers incurs fees (e.g. £11 for up to 10 pages).
- Appeals and costs assessments: filing a notice of appeal against a costs decision or applying for detailed assessment of legal costs carries specific higher fees dependent on the amount claimed.
Costs Beyond Court Fees
Legal Representation Costs
Court fees are only part of the expense. Many family cases involve fees for solicitors:
- Solicitors: charge for advice, document preparation, negotiation and advocacy; rates vary widely with location, experience and case complexity.
- Barristers: may be instructed to present cases at hearings and their fees depend on experience and the length of hearings.
- Expert witnesses: psychologists, financial valuers and other specialists can charge several hundred to several thousand pounds for reports and attendance.
Unlike some civil claims, costs orders requiring one party to pay the other's legal costs are uncommon in family proceedings; each party usually bears their own legal costs unless behaviour in litigation makes costs orders appropriate.
Enforcement and Supplementary Proceedings
If a party fails to comply with a court order-for example failing to pay maintenance or return property-additional applications to enforce the order involve further court fees and, potentially, legal costs.
Detailed assessment of costs, where one party seeks to establish a specific amount payable under a costs order, incurs fees that increase with the value of the claimed costs and can run into thousands of pounds for high‑value claims.
Managing and Reducing Fees and Costs
Help With Fees Scheme
People on low incomes or in receipt of certain benefits may apply for a fee remission under the government's Help with Fees scheme. Eligibility depends on income, savings and other household circumstances. Remission can reduce some or all of the court fee payable, which can be particularly valuable for individuals representing themselves.
Applications for help with fees should be made before or at the time of submitting the court form, and documentation of financial circumstances is required.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Because court fees (and legal costs) accumulate with proceedings, early alternative dispute resolution such as mediation can help avoid fees associated with formal court applications. In some contexts, mediation is required before a court application can be made.
Minimising the number of separate applications by combining requests on a single form where permitted also reduces court fees. For example, one C100 children application can seek multiple orders where appropriate, attracting a single fee.
Cost‑Saving Strategies
Other ways to manage costs include:
- Negotiation and settlement discussions before litigation;
- Fixed‑fee arrangements with lawyers for specific tasks; and
- Self‑representation where feasible, supported by court guidance and resources.
Practical Considerations
Paying Court Fees
Family court fees can be paid by debit or credit card, cheque, postal order or cash at the court office. It is important to include the case number and applicant details on any payment instruments.
Courts do not require VAT on court fees, which are separate from legal fees that may attract VAT where charged by private solicitors and counsel.
Fee Changes and Budgeting
Because fees change periodically to reflect inflation and operational costs, litigants should check the most recent fees order before filing applications. Planning for fee increases is a practical part of budgeting for proceedings.
Common Questions
Are all family court applications subject to fees?
Most applications attract fees, but some protective orders-such as non‑molestation orders-may be exempt from fees.
Can I avoid paying a court fee?
People with low income or benefits can apply for a remission under the Help with Fees scheme. Courts also sometimes waive fees in exceptional circumstances based on financial evidence.
Do I have to pay fees again for enforcement or appeals?
Yes. Separate fees are usually payable for enforcement steps or appeals against orders, and these are charged at rates set out in the family fees order.
Key Takeaways
Court fees and associated costs are an important consideration for anyone involved in family law proceedings in England and Wales. Statutory fees apply to initiating divorces, child arrangements and financial applications, and these have been updated recently to reflect economic conditions. Beyond fees to HMCTS, parties face legal representation costs and charges for expert evidence and may incur additional expenses in enforcement or appeals. Help with fees and alternative dispute resolution options offer ways to reduce the financial burden. Understanding how these fees and costs operate helps individuals anticipate expenses, plan effectively and make informed decisions about how to pursue or defend family court claims.
