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England

Costs of legal action

The costs of going to court and the financing choices that are available to people faced with a housing court case, usually in the county court.

This content applies to England & Wales
  • 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.

  • Court and tribunal costs

    Definition of costs, how the court decides which party to a legal dispute should pay the costs, and how much a court case is likely to cost.

  • Court and legal costs in possession cases

    Costs in possession claims can be fixed by the Civil Procedure Rules, claimed on a contractual basis, or decided by the court.

  • Solicitors fees

    People paying privately for a solicitor must receive information on how they will be charged, such as 'no win no fee' agreements.

  • Payment of court costs

    Costs of litigants in person are reduced and people on low incomes may get public funding or be entitled to remission on their court fees.

  • Legal costs in different tracks

    Costs amounts and recovery depend on allocating the case to one of the four different tracks and can be fixed in specific cases.

  • Interim and final costs orders

    Interim costs orders, which are made during the course of proceedings, and the different types of interim and final costs orders that can be made.

  • How legal costs are assessed

    Factors the court must consider when deciding the amount of money to be paid at the same hearing a costs order is made or in a separate hearing.

  • Court decisions on amount of legal costs

    Once the court has decided which party is to pay for the costs of the case, it will then assess how much the party will have to pay.