30/04/2025
Proposed Court Fee Increases Aim To Boost NICTS Funding
The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) is proposing changes to court fees as part of its funding model. NICTS aims for civil and family court services to be primarily funded by the fees charged to users, with a target of full cost recovery. However, the current recovery rate is below 80%.
NICTS emphasises the need to maintain a sufficient income stream to keep pace with rising costs and minimise the financial burden on taxpayers.
It is estimated that the proposed fee adjustments would generate an additional recurring income of £2.3 million annually by the financial year 2028-29. This increased revenue would enable NICTS to progress towards its goal of full cost recovery for civil and family court operations.
NICTS has confirmed that existing safeguards to ensure access to justice will remain in place. This means that court users who are on a low income or in receipt of specific benefits will continue to be eligible for reduced court fees or complete fee waivers.
View the consultation document at: public consultation
The closing date for this consultation is 11.59pm on 1 August 2025.
Responses or requests for further information can be submitted via email to Courtfees@courtsni.gov.uk or sent by post to:
Fee Consultation
NICTS Finance Branch
Laganside House
23-27 Oxford Street
Belfast
BT1 3LA
Responses can also be provided using the online facility at: NI Direct - Citizen Space
NICTS emphasises the need to maintain a sufficient income stream to keep pace with rising costs and minimise the financial burden on taxpayers.
It is estimated that the proposed fee adjustments would generate an additional recurring income of £2.3 million annually by the financial year 2028-29. This increased revenue would enable NICTS to progress towards its goal of full cost recovery for civil and family court operations.
View the consultation document at: public consultation
The closing date for this consultation is 11.59pm on 1 August 2025.
Responses or requests for further information can be submitted via email to Courtfees@courtsni.gov.uk or sent by post to:
Fee Consultation
NICTS Finance Branch
Laganside House
23-27 Oxford Street
Belfast
BT1 3LA
Responses can also be provided using the online facility at: NI Direct - Citizen Space
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
