Court Fee Table 2026
Money Claim Online (10% discount):
- Up to £300: £35
- £300.01 to £500: £50
- £500.01 to £1,000: £70
- £1,000.01 to £1,500: £80
- £1,500.01 to £3,000: £115
- £3,000.01 to £5,000: £205
- £5,000.01 to £10,000: £455
Paper claims (form N1):
- Up to £300: £35
- £300.01 to £500: £50
- £500.01 to £1,000: £70
- £1,000.01 to £1,500: £80
- £1,500.01 to £3,000: £115
- £3,000.01 to £5,000: £205
- £5,000.01 to £10,000: £455
- £10,000.01 and above: 5% of claim value
Note: Fees are updated periodically. Check gov.uk for the latest rates.
Other Fees You May Face
Beyond the initial claim fee, you may encounter:
Hearing fees:
- Small claims hearing: £0 (no fee since 2016)
- Fast track hearing: £170
- Multi-track hearing: £181
Enforcement fees:
- Warrant of control (bailiffs): £83
- Attachment of earnings order: £110
- Third party debt order: £110
- Charging order: £110
- Order to obtain information: £55
Other fees:
- Setting aside judgment: £275
- General application: £119
- Appeal to circuit judge: £155
Most small claims will only incur the issue fee, as there is no hearing fee for small claims track cases.
Help with Court Fees (Fee Remission)
If you are on a low income or certain benefits, you may qualify for help with fees:
Full remission (no fee):
- You receive qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, JSA, ESA, Income Support, or Pension Credit guarantee credit), OR
- Your monthly income is below the threshold and you have less than £3,000 in savings
Partial remission:
- Your income is slightly above the threshold
- You pay a reduced fee based on your circumstances
How to apply:
- Complete form EX160 (available on gov.uk)
- Provide evidence of your income/benefits
- Submit with your court forms
You must apply for fee remission when you file your claim. If you have already paid, you cannot get a refund through fee remission.
Getting Your Fees Back
If you win your case:
Recoverable costs in small claims:
- Court fees you paid to issue the claim
- Costs of enforcing the judgment
- Up to £260 for expert fees (if allowed by the court)
- Reasonable travel expenses to attend the hearing
- Limited loss of earnings for attending
Not recoverable in small claims:
- Legal fees (solicitor/barrister costs)
- Time spent preparing your case
- General inconvenience
The court will add your recoverable costs to the judgment, meaning the defendant must pay them along with the main debt.
Important: Even if you win, if the defendant cannot pay, you may not recover your fees in practice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay court fees upfront?
Yes, court fees must be paid when you issue your claim. For Money Claim Online, you pay by card during the process. For paper claims, you can pay by cheque, postal order, or card. If you qualify for fee remission, submit form EX160 with your claim.
What benefits qualify for fee remission?
You qualify for full fee remission if you receive: Universal Credit (and meet income requirements), Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Pension Credit guarantee credit. You may also qualify based on low income even without benefits.
Can I add the court fee to my claim?
Yes, you can include the court fee in your claim, but you must pay it upfront when issuing the claim. If you win, the court will order the defendant to pay the fee as part of your recoverable costs.
Are court fees refundable if the case settles?
Court fees are generally not refundable once paid, even if the case settles before a hearing. However, if you discontinue your claim before the defendant files a response, you may be able to apply for a partial refund in some circumstances.
Why are Money Claim Online fees cheaper?
Money Claim Online offers a 10% discount on court fees because it is more efficient for the court to process electronic claims. This saving is passed on to claimants as an incentive to use the digital service.
This guide provides general information about UK small claims court procedures and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. CourtPilot is not a law firm and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The law may have changed since this guide was last updated. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified solicitor or seek help from Citizens Advice.