Summary
The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to court fees, including annual increases. The proposals will enable NICTS to continue to strive towards a position of full cost recovery in the provision of civil and family court business.
Documents
- Consultation on court fees 2026-2029
- Annex a
- Annex b
- Equality impact assessment
- Human rights impact assessment
- Rural needs impact assessment
- Child rights impact assessment
- Consultation response form
- Privacy notice
- Regulatory impact assessment
Consultation description
The civil and family courts in Northern Ireland aim to operate under a full cost recovery policy, which means that fees charged for court services should cover the full cost of running the courts. This policy seeks to ensure that those who use the courts pay for the services they use, provided they can afford to do so, minimising the overall burden on the taxpayer.
It is estimated that the proposed changes would generate additional recurring income of £2.3m per annum by 2028-29. The additional revenue generated by the proposed changes would provide a long-term sustainable funding source for civil and family courts. The proposals would also reduce the financial burden on DoJ, and ultimately the taxpayer, as they are required to make up the shortfall in funding of the civil courts.
NICTS welcomes responses on all proposals contained in this consultation.
Ways to respond
NICTS Finance Branch
Laganside House
23-27 Oxford Street
Belfast
BT1 3LA