The Civil Proceedings Fees (Amendment) Order 2016 (SI 2016/1191) was made on 6 December 2016, with revised court fees coming into force on Monday 6 March 2017..
Where the court has fixed a trial date or trial period for a case allocated to the multi-track, the fee will remain £1,090. For the fast-track, the fee will remain £545. However, where the sum claimed in the small claims track:
- Does not exceed £300, the fee will decrease from £35 to £25.
- Exceeds £300 but does not exceed £500, the fee will increase from £50 to £55.
- Exceeds £500 but does not exceed £1,000, the fee will increase from £70 to £80.
- Exceeds £1,000 but does not exceed £1,500, the fee will increase from £80 to £115.
- Exceeds £1,500 but does not exceed £3,000, the fee will increase from £115 to £170.
- Exceeds £3,000, the fee is £335.
The availability of refunds has been removed for these types of cases where they have been settled or discontinued.
Where a trial fee is to be payable, it should not be refundable. It will need to be paid at least 28 days before the date of the hearing or 28 days before the Monday of the first week of the notified trial period, subject to two exceptions:
- Where the court sets the main hearing date 36 days or less before the hearing (the explanatory memorandum reads 35 days).
- Where a party has applied for a fee remission and that application is outstanding when the fee is due, but is then refused in full or part.
The amendments will have no effect in relation to a case in which the court gives notice of the trial date or the start of the trial period before 6 March 2017.
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