The Government have announced their proposal for a rise in Family Court Fees in 2024, including an increase in divorce and child arrangement fees.
In this article, Family Partner Andrew Stynes outlines the new fees that the Government are proposing, when they might come into force and what it means for you.
What is the Government proposing?
The Government proposes that Family Court fees should rise by up to 10% in 2024, increasing the courts’ revenue to ensure they are ‘sufficiently resourced’ according to the Ministry of Justice.
This would be the first rise in Family Court in 3 years, with the last increase occurring all the way back in 2021.
When are family court fees rising 2024?
I outline the new proposed fees below, but first – when are we likely to them come into force?
Well, as mentioned, this is only a government proposal at the moment with no implementation date being set, so we don’t know quite yet. However, fee increases such as this one are often brought into force during April – so that’s out best guess for now.
When we do hear an exact date, we will make sure to write an updated article. To make sure you don’t miss it, and to keep up to date with any other family law developments, you can sign up to our free email list here.
How much does it cost to get divorced in 2024?
Currently, at the time of this article’s publication, the court fee for divorce or civil partnership dissolution is £593.
If the Government’s proposals go ahead, this figure will rise to £652.
It is possible, in some circumstances, to get legal aid for divorce. This means that all costs related to the case will be funded for you. We'll outline the eligibility criteria later in this article.
How much does it cost to go to court for a child arrangements order?
The court fee for child arrangement order applications is currently £232, rising to £255 at some point this year (if the Government proposals go ahead).
A Child Arrangements Order outlines who a child is to live, spend time and have contact with, and might be applied for when separated parents can't come to an agreement on such arrangements.
You can find out more about how they work and how to apply here.
What are the fees for financial court proceedings in divorce?
To apply for a financial order, it costs £275 – potentially rising to £303 in 2024. This order is legally binding and sets out the financial agreement between parties who are separating or divorcing.
Find out how to get one in our dedicated article here.
How much does a consent order cost?
It currently costs £53 to get a consent order.
Related: An expert's breakdown of clean break consent orders
A Family Expert on the proposed fees
Andrew Stynes, experienced Partner in our Family Team, says: “While the government says it needs to raise fees to help with funding the courts, there are many who argue that such increases only make access to justice more difficult for those with limited means.
For those in such a situation, there are some limited legal aid options available – outlined on the Government’s website here.
If you have any further questions around any family matter, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”
Bright and experienced Family Solicitors
If you have any questions following this article, or would like to instruct us to assist you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our bright Family Team.
We offer a free initial chat for all new clients, so you can speak to us to iron out the details and discuss your circumstances before committing to anything.
You can call us on 01202 499255 or fill out the form at the top of this page to find out more.
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