What is changing?

From 1 April 2026, civil and family court fees in Northern Ireland are expected to increase by 5% in year one, followed by 2% in each of the next two years, alongside changes to Enforcement of Judgments Office (EJO) fees and new fees in the Small Claims Court.

The Department of Justice has stated the purpose is to move towards full cost recovery for civil and family court business, noting current fees recover about 84% of costs, and that fee remissions/exemptions for eligible low‑income users will remain as a safeguard for those on low incomes or certain benefits.

 

Why it matters?

The planned increase will affect not only claimant but also defendants, responding to civil proceedings.

Incremental fee rises, particularly when combined with recent inflationary pressures, will therefore increase the overall cost of both bringing and defending litigation.

In lower‑value disputes, this is likely to reinforce a more pragmatic, cost‑driven approach to litigation strategy.

All Practitioners should be alert to the cumulative effect of court fees over the life of a case. Early assessment of merits, prompt engagement with claimants and careful consideration of settlement options will become increasingly important. Where applications are necessary, the proportionality of each procedural step should be reviewed closely. As fees rise, effective cost management will be central to protecting defendants’ interests while ensuring meaningful participation in the claims process.

 

For legal guidance and advice regarding these changes, please contact a member of our Team for more information.

While great care has been taken in the preparation of the content of this article, it does not purport to be a comprehensive statement of the relevant law and full professional advice should be taken before any action is taken in reliance on any item covered.