Court and tribunal fees changed on 13 July 2026. The Ministry of Justice increased 170 fees by 2.6% in line with 2024/25 inflation, raised another 27 fees by an average of 34% and reduced four fees. Importantly for debt recovery, the standard money-claim issue-fee bands did not change.
The increases mainly affect surrounding costs such as possession proceedings, applications, appeals, insolvency and enforcement. Before issuing, it remains worth understanding what to do before court proceedings begin, because effective pre-action correspondence can sometimes resolve a dispute before court fees become payable.
What changed on 13 July 2026
| Fee | Before | From 13 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| County Court possession claim | £404 | £415 |
| High Court possession claim | £545 | £559 |
| County Court non-money claim | £377 | £387 |
| General application on notice | £313 | £321 |
| General application by consent/without notice | £123 | £126 |
| Charging or third-party debt order | £135 | £139 |
| Warrant of control | £94 | £96 |
| Warrant of possession | £148 | £152 |
| Creditor’s bankruptcy petition court fee | £343 | £352 |
| Probate application for estates over £5,000 | £300 | £526 |
The probate increase is particularly substantial. Extra probate copies ordered with the application now cost £2 each, while copies ordered later cost more. Anyone dealing with an estate can speak to our probate solicitors in London. The complete changes are set out in the Ministry of Justice announcement.
What does a debt claim cost?
Money-claim issue fees remain:
| Claim value | Issue fee | Hearing fee if allocated to the usual track |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 | £27 small claims |
| £1,500.01 to £3,000 | £115 | £181 small claims |
| £5,000.01 to £10,000 | £455 | £346 small claims |
| £10,000.01 to £25,000 | 5% | £619 fast track |
| £25,000.01 to £100,000 | 5% | £1,334 intermediate track |
| Over £200,000 | £10,000 | Track-dependent |
Allocation is ultimately decided by the court and depends on more than value, including complexity and evidence. The small claims or fast track therefore cannot always be predicted from the amount alone. Claims above £25,000 may normally fall into the intermediate track if the relevant criteria are met.
For example, an £8,400 commercial debt costs £455 to issue. If defended and allocated to the small-claims track, the hearing fee is £346. If judgment is obtained but remains unpaid, a County Court warrant of control currently costs £96. That produces potential court fees of £897, excluding legal costs and any other applications.
A statutory demand can be relevant in some cases, but a statutory demand is not a substitute for ordinary litigation where a debt is genuinely disputed. Our debt recovery solicitors can advise on the proportionate route.
Landlords and tenants
A County Court possession claim now costs £415, while a warrant of possession costs £152. Landlords should understand how possession hearings run and make sure the notice and evidence are correct before issuing. Our tenant eviction solicitors can assist with the process.
Commercial property disputes may also involve applications and non-money remedies, making early advice from a commercial lease solicitor useful.
Tenants considering a housing disrepair claim should remember that the correct court fee depends on the remedies and damages claimed. Our guide to costs, remedies and timelines explains the wider process.
Keeping court costs under control
Follow the relevant pre action expectations and explore settlement before unnecessary applications are made. If a trial date is notified sufficiently far ahead, the hearing fee will generally become payable at least 28 days before trial, so settling before the hearing fee falls due can avoid that charge.
People on lower incomes or with limited capital may qualify for Help with Fees.
Frequently asked questions
Did money-claim issue fees increase in July 2026?
No. The standard money-claim issue-fee bands remained unchanged. Several application, possession, enforcement and insolvency fees increased.
Can I recover court fees if I win?
The court can normally include allowable court fees in a costs order or judgment, subject to the applicable rules. Actual recovery still depends on the losing party paying or having assets against which enforcement can be taken.
Did hearing fees increase in July?
The standard small-claims, fast-track and intermediate/multi-track hearing fees were not among the principal July inflationary increases. They currently remain £346 for small claims above £3,000, £619 for fast-track cases and £1,334 for intermediate or multi-track cases.
If you are deciding whether proceedings are commercially worthwhile, our civil litigation solicitors can assess the likely fees, track and recovery prospects. Call Atalaw Solicitors in North London on 020 3581 9293 to discuss your case.