Family Court Fees Increase

Family law practitioners should be aware that court fees in England and Wales increased from 13 July 2026. The Ministry of Justice has increased 170 court and tribunal fees by 2.6%, broadly reflecting inflation, with some fees subject to larger increases. The increases add further costs for clients already facing significant legal and court expenses.

Help with fees remains available for eligible applicants, meaning some clients may qualify for a reduction or exemption.  The changes reinforce the need for firms to check the current HMCTS fee before issuing applications and to advise clients about potential fee-remission eligibility, as using an outdated fee could result in delays or the application being returned.

The principal fees relevant to family law work are now:

• Divorce, nullity or civil partnership dissolution: £628, up from £612.
• Judicial separation: £426.
• Financial order application (other than by consent): £321, up from £313.
• Financial order by consent: £62.
• Children Act 1989 applications, including applications for a child arrangements order, prohibited steps order, specific issue order or special guardianship order: £270.
• Children Act enforcement applications: £270.
• Application to revoke, amend, extend or take action following breach of an existing Children Act enforcement order: £119.
• Application on notice within existing proceedings: £195.
• Application by consent or without notice where no other fee is specified: £62.
• Appeal under the Children Act 1989: £251.
• Other family appeals: £146.
• Application for an adoption order or permission: £212.
• Application for a placement order: £570.
• Application for a parental order: £286.
• Request for bailiff service: £47.