Feedback sought regarding the further hikes to court and tribunal fees

The Law Society has asked for professionals to give their thoughts on plans for further hikes to court and tribunal fees.

It has released a short survey asking lawyers for their opinions about how the proposals will affect them, their firm, their clients and the general community.

A recent news article on the Society’s website stated that: “We need real-life examples and case studies demonstrating the impact that the March 2015 increases have had, including any instances where clients have not issued proceedings because of the increased cost, and the impact that the further increases set out in the consultation would be likely to have if implemented.”

The MoJ’s new proposals include:

  • Increasing the maximum fee for money claims to £20,000 (except for personal injury and clinical negligence claims that will remain at £10,000)
  • Higher fees for divorce proceedings
  • Higher fees for immigration and asylum proceedings in the First Tier and Upper Tribunals
  • New fees for tribunal proceedings in the First Tier Property, General Regulatory and Tax Chambers
  • Higher fees for proceedings in the Lands Chambers and Tax and Chancery Chamber of the Upper Tribunal
  • A 10 per cent increase for all other fees charged in the civil court system

One of the new fees in question has been hitting the headlines this week.

Lawyers have gone to the press saying a growing number of defendants feel under pressure to plead guilty to crimes they did not commit, following the introduction of controversial criminal courts charges.

A new system was introduced earlier this year, with offenders being made to pay towards the upkeep of the nation’s courts.

But the “exorbitant” charge can be up to 10 times higher if an individual is convicted after initially pleading innocence.

The threat of being saddled with crippling costs is persuading many of those accused to admit to things they have not done, which critics claim is undermining the criminal justice system.

The criminal courts charges are neither means-tested nor adjusted according to the seriousness of the crime.

In one particular case in Portsmouth, a man who had recently been declared bankrupt stole a £1 packet of chocolate buttons and was served with the standard £150 charge on top of a fine and costs.

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