Consultation on Scottish Court Fees 2018-2021

Overview

The consultation proposes that court fee levels are increased by 2.3% with effect from 1 April 2018 to reflect inflationary pressures. This would be followed by further increases of 2% with effect from 1 April 2019 and a further 2% from 1 April 2020.

Why your views matter

Court fees are normally considered on a three year cycle. In 2016, the Scottish Government departed from that pattern and consulted on and then implemented by Scottish Statutory Instruments an increase to achieve full-cost recovery for the civil justice system.

This present consultation returns to the three year cycle and proposes increases to fees in the Scottish Courts which the Scottish Government considers will reflect inflation and maintain the policy of full-cost recovery. The Scottish Government seeks stakeholder views on these increases.

In addition, the consultation lists the circumstances where exemptions from paying court fees apply and the Scottish Government seeks views on those exemptions.

Download the consultation paper.