As of today, 13 July 2026, a wide range of court and tribunal fees increase across England and Wales following changes introduced by the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS). The Government has stated that the increases are intended to strengthen cost recovery, account for inflation and support the continued operation of the court system.
The July 2026 increases follow an earlier round of increases introduced in April 2025. Taken together, these changes reflect a broader policy of increasing court fees broadly in line with inflation and seeking greater recovery of the costs associated with running the courts. Whilst court fees remain only one component of litigation costs, alongside legal fees, expert fees and counsel’s fees, the cumulative effect can be significant. The overall cost exposure can therefore be substantial even before legal costs are considered.
For businesses and individuals involved in litigation, the changes serve as a timely reminder that the cost of accessing the courts continues to rise. Whilst many of the individual increases appear modest, they add to the overall financial commitment required to pursue or defend legal proceedings.
Why Have Court Fees Increased?
The Government has increased 170 court and tribunal fees by 2.6% in line with inflation. A further 27 fees have risen by an average of 34%, whilst four fees have been reduced to better reflect their underlying administrative costs. The changes take effect on 13 July 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.
Possession Claims
The fee for issuing a possession claim has increased to:
- £559 in the High Court (up from £545).
- £415 in the County Court (up from £404).
Landlords, lenders and property owners involved in possession proceedings should ensure these revised fees are factored into litigation budgets.
Non-Money Claims
Claims seeking remedies other than a monetary award have also increased:
- County Court claims: £387 (up from £377).
- High Court claims: £663 (up from £646).
This category includes many injunction applications and other forms of civil relief commonly sought by businesses and individuals.
Applications During Proceedings
Interlocutory applications remain a significant source of litigation expense. The fee for a general application made on notice has increased to £321, whilst applications made by consent or without notice now attract a fee of £126. In more complex disputes where multiple applications are required, these costs can quickly accumulate.
Appeals
The costs of challenging court decisions have also risen:
- High Court appeals: £302.
- County Court appeals (small claims): £151.
- County Court appeals (other claims): £175.
Parties considering an appeal should therefore carefully assess both the merits of the challenge and the likely costs involved.
Enforcement Fees
Obtaining judgment is only part of the process. Enforcing a judgment has also become more expensive. From July 2026:
- Applications for charging orders increased from £135 to £139.
- Applications for third-party debt orders increased from £135 to £139.
- Warrants of possession or delivery increased from £148 to £152.
- Warrants of control increased from £94 to £96.
For businesses involved in debt recovery, these increases may affect decisions about the proportionality of enforcement action, particularly in lower-value claims.
What Does This Mean for Businesses?
For businesses involved in commercial disputes, early cost assessment is becoming increasingly important.
The latest fee increases reinforce the need to:
- Consider the commercial value of a claim before proceedings are issued.
- Explore settlement opportunities at an early stage.
- Engage in mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution where appropriate.
- Budget carefully for court fees alongside legal costs.
- Consider recovery prospects before embarking on enforcement action.
In many cases, a well-timed settlement can avoid both the financial and management costs associated with lengthy litigation.
Whether you are considering issuing proceedings, defending a claim or seeking to enforce a judgment, obtaining early legal advice can help you assess the likely costs, risks and prospects of success. Our property litigation, construction and commercial litigation teams advise businesses, organisations and individuals across a wide range of civil and commercial disputes and can help you identify the most cost-effective route to resolving your matter.
If you would like advice on a dispute or would like to discuss the potential costs of court proceedings, please contact a member of our Disputes team.