Customers have been inadvertently overcharged, by a modest amount, during this time period.
| Year | Fee certified/sealed copy1 | Fee for copy document | Fee Difference |
| 20/21 | £14 | £6 | £8 |
| 19/20 | £13 or £142 | £6 | £7-£8 |
| 18/19 | £12 | £6 | £6 |
| 17/18 | £11 | £6 | £5 |
| 16/17 | £10 | £5 | £5 |
| 15/16 | £10 | £5 | £5 |
1 All NICTS Court Fees including copy documents have been subject to % increases over the past 5 years. This is largely due to inflationary pressures on costs.
2 Fee increased from £13 to £14 mid way during the year on 1 October 2019 due to updated Fees Order.
NICTS would like to take this opportunity to apologise to customers affected and have implemented a refund scheme.
Who can claim
Anyone who applied and paid for sealed/ certified copy(ies) of a Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration between 1 October 2015 and 11 October 2021.
How to claim
If you believe that you may have been affected by this error, please complete the application form below and email it, together with any required documents, to ProbateRefunds@courtsni.gov.uk or post it, together with any required documents of proof, to:
Probate Partial Refund Scheme, The Customer Service Centre, PO Box 256, Londonderry, BT48 4AP.
Interest on any refunds will be paid at 8% simple interest. We will work out the interest for you and add it to your refund amount.
Cut-off date for applications
The scheme will be open between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024. Applications must be received on or before 31 May 2024. Applications received after that date will not be considered.
If you have any concerns or queries about providing any information within the form, please contact us at ProbateRefunds@courtsni.gov.uk
What you will need to claim
You will need:
• The probate case reference number (if known - this will be stated on the Grant)
• Name of the deceased person
• Date of death
• If you hold a Power of Attorney registered with the Office of Care and Protection – a copy of the Registered Enduring Power of Attorney document
• If you have been appointed Controller – a copy of the Controllership Order
What happens after you lodge your claim
You will be contacted by email or letter:
• if any information is missing
• if your claim has been successful
• to advise the refund amount you can expect to receive and when it will be paid • to advise if your claim has been rejected with the reasons for rejection of the claim.
We will endeavour to process your application in 10 working days from the day we receive a correctly completed application form.
If your application is refused
If your application for refund has been refused and you think that the decision by NICTS was wrong, you may request an internal review.
If you decide to lodge a request , please send a letter for the attention of the Internal Review Officer to ProbateRefunds@courtsni.gov.uk or Probate Partial Refund Scheme, The Customer Service Centre, PO Box 256, Londonderry, BT48 4AP, together with your original application. In the letter state that you wish your refund application reviewed and detail why you do not agree with the decision.
It may help your review if you can provide more information or give other additional evidence. You should submit the extra information or evidence with your letter.
NICTS must receive your request for an internal review within 10 working days, beginning on the day when you received the letter refusing your application for refund.
The Internal Review Officer will send you a letter giving the result of your review within 10 working days, beginning on the day when your letter requesting an internal review along with all relevant information is received. If applicable, the result of the review will be used to progress your original application.