Coronavirus (Covid-19): Impact on the Court Funds Office
This page explains how the Court Funds Office is affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Interest rate reductions on the Court Funds Office special and basic accounts
Due to the impact of Covid-19, the Lord Chancellor has reviewed the Court Funds Office (CFO) rates of interest payable to clients and has directed that from Monday 01 June 2020 these will change to the following:
- Special Account – reduces from 0.5% to 0.1%
- Basic Account – reduces from 0.1% to 0.05%
This is to ensure that the running costs of the CFO service can continue to be met and that a rate of interest payable to clients can still be provided. Should the Bank of England base rate rise in the future, the Lord Chancellor will review the level of interest paid to clients further. If you wish to discuss further, please contact the CFO on 0300 0200 199 or email enquiries@cfo.gov.uk.
The Court Funds Office (CFO) remains operational, whilst adhering to government guidelines on social distancing, which means there are fewer staff than usual.
Paying money into the Court Funds Office, submitting forms and making payment requests
With the removal of the remaining restrictions on leaving home and attending the workplace in England with effect from 19 July 2021 the Court Funds Office (CFO) Coronavirus contingency workarounds will be lifted. As CFO appreciates that there may be a gradual return to the workplace for many people, these workarounds will apply until 9 August 2021. This means that If you;
- want to pay money into the Court Funds Office (CFO)
- are a Court of Protection Deputy submitting a ‘Form P’
- are a child reaching 18 years of age and wishing to claim your funds
You should do so in the normal way by post with effect from 9 August 2021, if not before. Electronic deposits and payment requests may still be made in exceptional circumstances, such as a deposit from abroad, in a foreign currency or where a deposit must be made urgently to comply with a deadline in a court order.
If you do not have exceptional circumstances and choose to submit an application by email however, your application will be refused if dated on or after 9 August 2021.
If you think you need to submit an application by email, please contact the Court Funds Office (CFO) on 0300 0200 199 or email enquiries@cfo.gov.uk.