Court fees: Enhanced Charging

Published: 19 Feb 2015

Following a consultation entitled “Court Fees: Enhanced Charging” which closed December 2014, the government intends to make substantial increases to the court issue fee.  These changes will be introduced by way of statutory instrument which is due to be debated in the House of Commons on 23rd February and in the House of Lords in early March. AvMA believes the increase in fees (up to £10,000 just for the issue fee) will be an obstacle to access to justice for those people affected by clinical negligence.  AvMA is working with a number of partners, including the Law Society, the Bar Council, APIL and FOIL to garner support from MPs and others to challenge plans to increase court fees from April 2015.

In addition AvMA is concerned these changes will make it harder to find a  solicitor if the case is difficult or complex, also it means smaller firms may be pushed out of this area of work. Please click for more materials and information on enhanced fees.