Care and support

Help with court fees

You will have to pay any court fees, unless you are on income support/income-based jobseeker’s allowance/guarantee credit part of pension credit or working tax credit with no child tax credit. You may have to show proof that you are receiving these benefits.

You can also be exempt from the fee if you have earnings below a set level. This depends upon the number of children you have and whether you are single or part of a couple. The table below gives more information.

Single:

Number of children Total gross income

0 £12,000
1 £14,735
2 £17,470
3 £20,205
4 £22,940


Couple:

Number of children Total gross income
0 £16,000
1 £18,735
2 £21,470
3 £24,205
4 £256,940


For additional children add an extra £2,735 for each child to the gross income figure for 4 children.

The court can also remit part of the fee if it would cause you financial hardship.

More information can be found in leaflet EX160A, available from courts.