Court Fee Calculator

Court fees in England and Wales vary by the type of claim and the amount involved. For money claims, the fee ranges from £35 (claims up to £300) to 5% of the claim value (claims over £10,000, capped at £10,000). Online claims through MCOL (Money Claim Online) are slightly cheaper than paper claims.

Other court fees include divorce petitions, probate applications, appeals and enforcement actions such as warrant of control or attachment of earnings. Fee exemptions and remissions are available if you receive certain benefits or have a low income — this is called Help with Fees (form EX160).

This calculator covers the most common civil court fees and tells you whether you are likely to qualify for a fee remission. It does not cover criminal court costs or tribunal fees, which are calculated differently.

Civil court fees in 2026. Money claims: £35 for claims under £300, scaling to £10,000 for claims over £200,000 (5% of value). Possession claims: £391. Application fees: £121-£313 depending on type. Family court: divorce £593, financial orders £303. Tribunal fees abolished for employment tribunals (2017) and most civil claims under £10,000.

Help with Fees scheme. Income-based fee remission. Maximum monthly income: £1,420 single, £2,050 couple (2026/27). Plus capital under £3,000-£16,000 depending on age. Apply via EX160 form when starting court action. Successful applicants pay reduced or zero fees. Approximately 40-50% applicant success rate.

Small Claims Track (under £10,000). Designed for litigants in person — no solicitor required typically. Court fee scaled by amount claimed. No 'loser pays' on legal costs (only own fixed costs typically). Hearing usually within 6 months. Decision binding. Use Money Claim Online (£35 fee for claims under £300) for fastest results.

Tribunal vs Court — different routes. Most disputes go through courts (county, high court). Some specific areas use tribunals: Employment Tribunal (employment disputes, free since 2017), First-tier Tribunal (tax, immigration, mental health), Upper Tribunal (appeals from First-tier). Tribunals generally faster, less formal, lower cost than equivalent court proceedings.