Court and tribunal fees
You might have to pay a fee if you go to a court or tribunal in England or Wales.
If you’re on a low income, or if you’re on certain benefits and do not have much in savings, you might be able to get money off your court or tribunal fee.
Court and tribunal fees are different from legal costs, for example paying for a solicitor.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
How much you pay
The fees you need to pay at a court or tribunal depend on your claim or case. You may have to pay multiple fees, for example a hearing fee and an application fee.
| Case | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce or end a civil partnership | £550 |
| Claim money you’re owed | £35 |
| Appeal a benefits decision | Free |
| Apply for bankruptcy | £680 |
| Apply for probate | £215 |
Read the list of fees for:
If you already have a hearing date and you need to postpone (‘adjourn’) because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you might not have to pay the application fee. Find out more about adjournment fees for certain civil and family hearings.
How to pay your court or tribunal fee
You cannot pay most fees online. Pay:
- in person at a court or tribunal by cheque, cash, debit or credit card
- by post with a cheque made out to ‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service’
You can only pay online when you use:
There’s a different system of court fees in Scotland and Northern Ireland.