Court Fees Set for April Increase
In early April 2025, and subject to parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Justice will increase 171 court and tribunal fees to account for changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
This increase will include the fee to seal a Writ of Control, Possession and Delivery, from £78.00 to £80.00, which increased for the second consecutive year.
The proposed increase has been met with backlash from the Civil Court Users Association Chairman, Rob Thompson, who said:
“Whilst the Civil Court Users Association (CCUA) does not necessarily disagree with the principle of inflationary increases, yet a further increase at this time is a kick in the teeth to court users, given the continuing poor performance experienced in the Civil Courts.
Yet again the civil court user is being shamelessly exploited as a cash cow by the Government. The statement that “The income generated from these uplifts will help to support the efficient and effective running of His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS)” is likely to be received as a sick joke, given the appalling levels of service experienced over the past few years.
The suggestion that “The department recovers a modest contribution towards the costs of providing HMCTS services from court and tribunal users…..” is simply untrue in respect of civil court users. They pay 100% of the fees required to provide the civil court service, plus a significant contribution to the provision of the criminal and family courts.
In the meantime, with breathtaking hypocrisy, the Government continues to effectively block any increases to fees within the private sector enforcement sector.
Whilst the CCUA enjoys a very healthy and mutually beneficial relationship with officials within both the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunals Service, it is clear that more widely within Government there is very little priority being afforded to court users. This increase will further erode access to justice and discredit the system and is completely inappropriate at this time.”
Further information, and a list of the 171 Court fees, can be found here.
