Court and tribunal fee changes arrive in July 2026

Court and tribunal users face a new set of fee changes from July 2026, with the Ministry of Justice setting out increases across parts of HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

The package has three main elements. A group of 170 fees will rise by 2.6%, matching inflation for 2024/25. A smaller group of 27 fees will rise by an average of 34%, which the department describes as catching up with accumulated inflation. Four fees will fall because their underlying costs have reduced.

Fee changes in the justice system are always sensitive because courts are not ordinary public services. A higher charge can discourage weak claims, but it can also make a legitimate claim harder to bring. That matters for individuals, small businesses, tenants, workers and families dealing with disputes where the amount at stake may already be stressful.

The government's argument is that fees help support the running of HMCTS and should reflect cost pressures. The access-to-justice concern is that the people most affected by a fee increase are often those with the least spare cash.

The practical effect will depend on the type of case. A percentage rise on a small fee may be manageable. A larger catch-up increase on a frequently used process could be more noticeable. Anyone planning a claim, appeal or application should check the current fee before filing rather than relying on old guidance.

Charities, advice agencies and legal professionals will also need to update templates and client information. Even a modest mismatch can cause delay if a form is submitted with the wrong payment.

There are fee remission schemes for people on low incomes or certain benefits, but they require evidence and can be confusing. The July changes make it more important that users check whether help is available before deciding that a legal route is unaffordable.

The broader issue remains unresolved. Courts need funding, staffing and digital systems that work. Users need access that does not feel priced out. Fee changes can help with one side of that equation, but they do not solve the underlying pressure on the justice system.