From 13 July 2026, a wide range of court and tribunal fees in England and Wales increased, so anyone preparing to issue a civil claim should check the current cost before filing. The Ministry of Justice confirmed that 170 fees rose by 2.6% in line with inflation, 27 fees rose by an average of 34% to reflect accumulated inflation, and 4 fees were reduced.
The changes are not retrospective. They apply to claims, applications and requests made on or after 13 July 2026. Before you commit, check the fee, your eligibility for help with fees, whether pre-action steps have been followed, your limitation deadline and whether court is the best route. Early advice from civil litigation solicitors can sometimes save the fee entirely if the dispute settles first.
What changed on 13 July 2026?
The government’s court and tribunal fees update sets out the main changes. Some civil fees increased modestly, but the probate application fee rose sharply from £300 to £526.
| Court step | probate application fee rose sharply from £300 to £526.
| Court step | Before 13 July 2026 | From 13 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| General application on notice | £313 | £321 |
| General application by consent or without notice | £123 | £126 |
| Charging order application | £135 | £139 |
| Warrant of control | £94 | £96 |
| Probate application fee | £300 | £526 |
The probate increase stands out because it is more than 75%. The fee for requesting copies of probate documents at the same time as the probate application was reduced from £16 to £2.
Check the issue fee before filing
If you are claiming a fixed sum, the issue fee depends on the amount claimed, including interest. For money claims up to £10,000, the fee runs from £35 for the smallest claims to £455 for claims between £5,000.01 and £10,000. For claims above £10,000 and up to £200,000, the issue fee is 5% of the claim value. For claims over £200,000, the fee is capped at £10,000.
A hearing fee may also be payable later. For small claims, hearing fees range from £27 to £346 depending on value. Fast track claims have a hearing fee of £619, while intermediate track and multi-track claims have a hearing fee of £1,334. Our guide to small claims and fast track cases explains where your claim may sit.
If you are on a low income, receive certain benefits or have limited savings, the Help with Fees scheme may reduce or waive the court fee. Check this before assuming the fee is unavoidable.
Do the pre-action work first
Issuing too early can be an expensive mistake. The courts expect parties to try to resolve disputes before proceedings begin. In many civil disputes, that means sending a clear letter before claim, setting out the facts, what you want, the legal basis of the claim and a reasonable deadline to respond.
Skipping proper pre-action steps can affect costs, interest or case management later, even if your claim has merit. Our guide on how to recover a debt before court explains the practical steps. In some debt cases, a properly used statutory demand can prompt payment without a claim. Where both sides can agree terms, a settlement agreement may avoid court altogether. If the debt is clear and unpaid, our debt recovery service can handle the process for you.
Is court the right route?
Higher fees are another reason to pause before issuing. Mediation, an ombudsman, an industry redress scheme or a direct negotiated settlement may be faster and cheaper than court. Our overview of court reform and redress schemes explains when those routes may make sense.
You also need to watch limitation. For many contract and debt claims, the deadline is 6 years from the date the claim arose. For debts under a deed, it is often 12 years. Other claims can have shorter limits, so do not delay if the deadline is approaching.
If you are applying for probate
The rise is not only about disputes. If you are applying for a grant of probate, the application fee is now £526 where a fee is payable. It is usually an estate expense, but it may still need to be paid upfront before estate funds are fully available.
If you are dealing with an estate, our probate solicitors in London can guide you through the process. Our note on intestacy rules explains what happens when someone dies without a valid will, and the fee rise is also a useful prompt to review your own will.
Frequently asked questions
When did court fees go up in 2026?
The latest court and tribunal fee changes took effect on 13 July 2026.
How much does it cost to start a small claim?
For money claims up to £10,000, the issue fee ranges from £35 to £455, depending on the amount claimed. A hearing fee may be payable later.
Can I avoid paying court fees?
Possibly. You may qualify for Help with Fees, or you may avoid issuing altogether if the dispute settles after pre-action correspondence.
Are the new fees backdated?
No. They apply to claims, applications and requests made on or after 13 July 2026.
Weigh it up before you file
A higher fee is not a reason to drop a good claim, but it is a reason to plan. Check the cost, follow the pre-action steps and make sure court is the right route before you commit. If you want a straight answer on whether your claim is worth issuing, our solicitors in North London can weigh the costs and prospects with you. Get in touch today.