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 have little or no savings, and you get certain benefits or have a low income, you might be able to get money off your court or tribunal fees.
Court and tribunal fees are different from legal costs, for example paying for a solicitor.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
There’s a different system of court fees in Scotland and court fees in Northern Ireland.
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 | £593 |
| Claim money you’re owed | £35 to £10,000 - depending on the amount you’re claiming |
| Appeal a benefits decision | Free |
| Apply for bankruptcy | £680 |
| Apply for probate | Free or £273 - depending on the value of the estate |
Read the list of fees for:
How to pay your court or tribunal fee
You can pay a court or tribunal:
- by phone with a debit or credit card
- in person by cheque, cash, debit or credit card
- online
Ask the court or tribunal if you can pay them by phone, in person or online. You may need to book an appointment to pay in person.
Some fees can also be paid by post with a cheque. Ask the court or tribunal for details, including the address that it needs to be sent to. Make the cheque out to ‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service’.
You must pay fees online when you use an online service, for example to make a court claim for money.