Get help paying court and tribunal fees

You might be able to get money off your court or tribunal fees if you have little or no savings, are on certain benefits or have a low income.

There are different ways of applying for help with fees for the Court of Protection and the First-Tier Immigration and Asylum Tribunal.

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.

There are also different rules in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Eligibility

Whether you’re eligible depends on what savings you have, what benefits you’re on and your income.

Savings

You usually need to have less than £3,000 in savings and investments if you’re under 61.

You can have up to £16,000 in savings if your fee is between £1,000 and £10,000, or if you or your partner are 61 and over.

Benefits

You need to be on a low income, or on one of the following benefits:

  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income Support
  • Universal Credit (and you earn less than £6,000 a year)
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
  • Scottish Civil Legal Aid (not Advice and Assistance, or Advice by Way of Representation)

Income

If you’re not on any of those benefits, you usually need to earn £1,085 or less a month before tax if you’re single. Or £1,245 or less a month if you have a partner.

You can earn an extra £245 on top of that for each child you have.

For example, if you have a partner and 2 children you have to earn £1,735 or less to be eligible for full help with court fees.

You may still be able to get help if your income is higher. This depends on the size of the fee. Check if you’re eligible before you apply.

Check if you can get help with fees

Check if you’re eligible for help with court fees before you apply.

You might not need to answer all the questions, depending on your circumstances.

Apply online

Get help with court fees.

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Other ways to apply

You can apply by filling in a paper form instead.