Skip to main content
Shelter Logo
England

Court and tribunal fees

A person must pay a court or tribunal fee for the court to deal with their claim or application, or apply for a fee remission.

This content applies to England & Wales

When a claimant or applicant must pay a fee

A person must pay a fee to start a court or tribunal claim, or to make an application in ongoing court proceedings. Failure to pay the appropriate fee or apply for a fee remission means the court or tribunal will not progress the claim or application.

In some cases, a court might be willing to list an application without a fee. For example, if someone is about to be evicted and needs to apply to suspend an eviction warrant at short notice.

Amount of the fee

The amount of the fee the claimant or applicant must pay depends on:

  • the type of action or claim being made

  • the court or the tribunal in which the claim is made

  • whether the claim is made online

  • when it is a money claim, the amount being claimed

Where to pay the fee

A court fee can be paid:

  • 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'

  • online, when a claim is made using the money claim online or possession claim online service

Some insolvency fees can be paid at the Post Office or using Payzone.

Help with court fees

People can get help with court fees if they:

  • claim universal credit and earn less than £6000 per year

  • claim means-tested legacy benefits like income support

  • have income and savings below a set threshold

People who apply to have a court fee remitted must provide evidence of their benefits, income, and savings with their application.

Gov.uk has more information about income and savings levels to apply for a court fee remission.

Apply for a court fee remission using Court leaflet EX160A.

Insolvency application fees

Fee remissions are not available for bankruptcy or debt relief order applications.

Court fees in civil claims and applications

Claim or application typeExampleFeeMore details
Issue a money claimDisrepair claim, tenancy deposit claimVariable, depending on the amount of the claimFees are reduced in the County Court Business Centre and Money Claims Online
Redetermination of paymentPayments set by a court officer or a judge without a hearingNo feeThe request can be made by writing a letter to the court
Application to vary a judgmentApplication to reduce an instalment order or to pay a judgment debt by instalments£14The fee is the same whether an N244 or N245 is used
Application to suspend enforcementApplication to suspend a warrant of control or an eviction warrant£14
Application on noticeApplication to set aside a judgment£275Standard fee unless another fee is specified

Gov.uk contains a list of court fees for money claims based on the value of the claim.

Full details of fees for court action are available from the HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

Section 9 of the LEASE Guide to Applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) has information about fees payable to a tribunal in actions concerning residential accommodation.

Court fees in insolvency cases

Application typeFeeMore details
Debt relief order application£90Fee can be paid through Post Office or Payzone.
Debtor's bankruptcy petition£550 deposit plus £130 adjudicator fee (£680 total)Fee can be paid in full or by instalments online, or in full, in cash, at any Royal Bank of Scotland branch
Application to review a decision of the official receiver£280Application made on form IAA
Application for order for non disclosure of current address£280Application made on form 20.4 for debt relief orders and 20.5 for bankruptcy

Last updated: 27 November 2023