Getting the best team representing you in a case of family law Cheshire has to offer is important – not only in helping you deal with a stressful situation, but also in getting the right outcome for your case if it makes it to court. This will never be more important than if proposed court fees increases, which were unveiled by the Ministry of Justice this week, are put into effect.
The change in fee amounts come in line with government departments trying to reduce public spending, with justice minister Shailesh Vara unveiling plans while acknowledging that the courts ‘must play their part’ in the national effort to minimise the deficit, reported the Law Gazette.
The reports sets out some guideline fee rises in the field of divorce and civil separation. Civil proceedings will double in cost, from £50 to £100, when consenting, and increase by £100 to £255 in cases where one side contests the separation. Divorces will increase from £410 to £550.
However, the government have insisted that the fee rises will protect society’s most vulnerable. Personal injury claims and those looking for compensation for clinical negligence will remain excluded from the higher cap. Exemptions will also be in place for divorces involving women with low income households and connected applications for protection from violence or harassment will also not be included in fee changes.
In initial consultations earlier this year, fees for divorce were expected to rise to £750, however, ministers have seemingly press for a much slighter increase according to reports.