A variety of court fees are payable within the civil and family courts, magistrates' courts and probate registries in England and Wales.

The County Court Fees leaflet (EX50) sets out the most commonly charged civil and family court fees. The leaflet does not contain the full list of fees payable, neither is it the authority on fees. The full list of all court and probate fees is contained in the appropriate Statutory Instrument. The Statutory Instruments that set out court and probate fees are also known as fees orders.

Civil and Family Court Fees (Leaflet EX50)

As a result of recent investigations, it has been established that since 26 April 1999 a fee for searches of the daily register of claims for all High Court jurisdictions (save for company records and bankruptcy proceedings) has not been applicable and therefore should not have been charged.

Therefore, all customers who have paid a fee for the above since 26 April 1999 are entitled to claim for a refund for the full amount paid. For more information about how to claim a refund, please contact any officer in the RCJ Fees Room on 0207 947 6527.

Remission system

We want to make sure that access to courts is available to all. In certain circumstances, individuals may not have to pay a court fee. A system of fee waivers, known as the remission system, is available to those who would have difficulty paying a court fee and meet the appropriate criteria. An individual may be eligible for a full remission, where no fee is payable, or a part remission, where a contribution towards the fee is required.

The leaflet, Court fees – Do I have to pay them? (EX160A) explains what information the court needs to work out if you are eligible for a remission of the court fee.

It also contains the application form which must be completed in full and sent to the court with all the relevant supporting evidence.

More than one fee may be payable during a case. A separate remission application form must be completed for each fee.

Court fees – Do I have to pay them? (Leaflet EX160A)

Extended table of contributions (Leaflet EX160C) (To be read in conjunction with 'Court fees – Do I have to pay them?')