Last updated on March 7th, 2017 at 11:28 am

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) consulted on the divorce court fees increase last summer but Graysons and other family law firms only received confirmation that the courts would implement the increase today in emails received last week.

The court fee for issuing divorce proceedings has risen from £410 to £550 and this follows increases that were implemented two years ago.

No findings published on proposal for divorce court fees increase

Last week, chair of Resolution, Jo Edwards, said

“The stealthy implementation of the hike in divorce fees, from £410 to £550 (after an increase only two years ago) is scandalous and not backed up by proper impact assessment.

As a result of the steep increase, many people currently in the process of separating will have received incorrect information as to the charge for lodging a divorce petition and, in reality, won’t have time to get their petition in before the fee increase takes effect.”

She also said that the government should have waited until the House of Commons Justice Select Committee had published its findings into last summer’s inquiry on court fees, saying

“Instead, the way in which this has been gone about, with no formal consultation or announcement, demonstrates a shocking lack of transparency from government. The manner in which they’re implementing this increase, by calling courts today and instructing them to charge more from Monday, is not how a responsible government department should act.”

Nicola Cancellara

Graysons’s fixed fees remain competitive

Family law solicitor, Nicola Cancellara, says “Whilst Graysons has had to increase its fixed fees for divorce, this is only due to the increase in court costs.  Our own fees remain the same and are as competitive as ever.”

You can find out more about Graysons’ fixed fees for divorce on our web pages.