Family Court Fees
The cost of going to court can be overwhelming. it's important to remember that financial worries should not stop you from protecting your children or yourself, there is always an option and support out there. You may be able to get support with court fees through the 'Help With Fees' scheme:
There are charities and services to support with low cost and 'pro bono' (free) access to legal representation which can be accessed here:
Stage 1: Before Court
The MIAM
IMPORTANT NOTICE
If you are the applicant (i.e. you are applying to court) then it is a legal requirement to attend a MIAM unless you have a valid exemption.
Do I have a valid exemption?
If you do not have an exemption, typical fees for a MIAM are
Sole meeting with you alone: £87 + VAT (£104)
Joint meeting with both you and your partner present: £130 + VAT (£156)
If your mediator accepts legal aid and you are eligible, your MIAM can be free
Am I eligible for Legal Aid?
Non Court Dispute Resolution
If it is safe and appropriate for you to attempt Non Court Dispute Resolution, there are different types for you and your ex partner to attend. .
Informal Agreements
Parenting Plan/ Parenting Agreement
Free
Mediation
A mediator with you and your ex partner in a meeting room, online or in shuttle mediation
On average £120-£170 including VAT
per person, per hour for family mediation
Legal aid is available for family mediation where the following issues are involved:
Contact arrangements
Residence and Parental Responsibility
Issues affecting children - for example child maintenance, one parent wishing to move abroad, choice of school
Property - i.e. what’s going to happen to the family home and where is everyone going to live
Finance – savings, debts, pensions and financial maintenance
Am I eligible for Legal Aid?
You might be eligible for the government’s £500 voucher scheme for mediations about child arrangements.
Arbitration
Provides a trained, independent arbitrator to make a legally binding decision, similar to a judge, on your issues. Some are based on an hourly rate. Typical hourly rates will vary according to the seniority of the Arbitrator:
Junior barrister (6 – 10 years call): £175 per hour + VAT
Middle junior (11 – 15 years call): £200 per hour + VAT
Senior junior (16 years call +): £250 per hour + VAT
QC in first year of silk: £325 per hour + VAT
QC thereafter: £400 per hour + VAT
Travel time for hearings are charged at one half of the appropriate hourly rate
Some arbitration services offer a fixed fee:
Collaborative Law
Allow your solicitor and you ex- partner's solicitor to negotiate in a structured meeting outside of court.
Likely cost for a straight forward situation.
Between £1,000 and £6,000 per person
It will be more if there are many issues to resolve and more meetings are needed.
Early Neutral Evaluation
Provides an experienced lawyer or retired judge to give an independent opinion on the likely court outcome.
The process can range between £2000-£6000 per session.
Stage 2: The Court Process
In law, do I need a solicitor?
No, you do not legally need a solicitor to start a court application or to respond to a court application.
A solicitor's role is to offer legal advice and fill out paperwork for court, some, but not all solicitors can speak for you in court. They can write letters to your ex partner or your ex partner's solicitor if they have one.
In law, do I need to respond to a solicitors letter?
No, the law does not require you to respond to solicitor's letters, it is not advisable to ignore them however. A solicitor's letter may urge you to reply in a specified time frame to apply pressure for a response, however you do not legally need to respond straight away. 14 days is the customary timeframe for responding to solicitors letters, give yourself time to breathe, review and respond.
If you are going to respond to a solicitor's letter, keep your response non-emotional, polite and professional. See our guidance for more help.
There are solicitors who accept Legal Aid and who provide 'unbundled services' where you do a portion of the work yourself.
Am I eligible for Legal Aid?
Typical solicitors fees, these will vary by law firm:
Trainee solicitors & paralegals: £139 per hour + VAT
Solicitors and legal executives with over 4 years’ experience: £242 per hour +VAT
Solicitors and legal executives with over 8 years’ experience: £288 per hour + VAT
Partners in law firms: £350-£500 per hour + VAT
Court Application Fees
No, you do not legally need a solicitor to start a court application or to respond to a court application.
A solicitor's role is to offer legal advice and fill out paperwork for court. They can write letters to your ex partner or your ex partner's solicitor if they have one.
Application for a non-molestation order
Free
Application for an occupation order
Free
Child arrangements order, Prohibited Steps order, Specific Issue order
£263
Help With Fees: How To
In law, do I need a Barrister in court?
No, you do not legally need a barrister to support or speak for you in court. A barrister is different from a solicitor. Barristers are specialist advocates who can speak for you in court and present your case to the judge. They can cross-examine your ex partner and CAFCASS officers as well as argue points of law that are relevant to your case.
Barristers belong to an agency called a 'chamber' and are normally accessed by your solicitor if you have one, or you can access some barristers through a scheme called 'Direct Access' or 'Public Access'. They will normally charge a set fee for each hearing or an hourly fee depending on the work.
As a rough guide for conferences and court work and preparation:
A newly qualified barrister: £150- £175 per hour + VAT
A more experienced barrister: £180- £225 per hour + VAT
Most experienced barristers: £500 per hour + VAT
Typical fees for full employment per hearing (Barrister prepares with your solicitor)
'Brief fee'
£3900 inc. VAT per hour of a hearing
£10,000 per full day of a hearing
Typical fees for Direct Access (you do the job of your solicitor)
'Brief fee'
£1750-£2500 per hour of a hearing inc. VAT
Each chamber is different and fees vary depending on how experienced your barrister is and the type of work you want them to do. There are some barristers who will work 'Pro Bono' (for free):