Northern Ireland

Civil court fees could increase under new proposals

A consultation has been launched on increasing fees in civil courts
A consultation has been launched on increasing fees in civil courts A consultation has been launched on increasing fees in civil courts

AN extra £2.5 million could be generated if fees are increased in the civil courts, the Department of Justice has said.

The department has launched a public consultation into the proposed change.

The proposal aims to help the courts service better cover its costs.

Any civil court costs which are not fully recovered have to be met by the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) from within its budget.

At present, civil court fees only cover 82 per cent of costs.

An extra £2.5m would see around 90 per cent of costs being covered.

The consultation will run until 5pm on February 18.

It can be completed online at https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/ni-courts-and-tribunal-service/improving-cost-recovery-in-civil-courts