NI family court fees to rise from 1 April 2026

From 1 April 2026, most family court fees in Northern Ireland will increase by 5%, with further 2% rises due on 1 April 2027 and 1 April 2028. This staged change is being taken forward by the Department of Justice and applies across family business in the higher courts. (4ni.co.uk)

We’re keeping this simple. The rule updates the fee schedule that sits behind family cases and applies to the High Court and to County Court family work. The uplift is framed as a general adjustment rather than a wholesale redesign, though the detailed schedule is being replaced and republished. In short: expect most standard charges to step up over three years. (4ni.co.uk)

Why is this happening? The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) has said its long‑term policy is to move towards full cost recovery for civil and family courts, so people who can afford to pay contribute more of the running costs and the burden on general taxpayers is reduced. That direction of travel was set out during the 2025 consultation on court fees. (northernireland.gov.uk)

Some important protections remain. As of 1 October 2024, applications for non‑molestation and occupation orders carry no court fee in Northern Ireland. The 2026 rule increases the majority of fees, not all of them, so you should check the updated schedule in April to confirm which routes remain free. (northernireland.gov.uk)

There’s also a targeted new charge to know about. The Order adds a specific fee for making an ex parte application to a judge for an injunction (listed as Fee 7(c) in the schedule). In everyday terms, “ex parte” means asking the court to act urgently without notifying the other side first; an “injunction” is a court order telling someone to do, or to stop doing, something straight away. The 2024 schedule shows items 7(a) and 7(b) but no 7(c), which is why this addition matters for planning urgent applications. (northernireland.gov.uk)

Let’s put numbers on it using today’s published rates as a guide. On 1 October 2024, sealing an originating summons or petition in family proceedings is £310. With a 5% rise from 1 April 2026, you’d budget roughly £326; the exact figure will appear in the republished schedule. This is an estimate to help you plan, not a substitute for the official list on day one. (northernireland.gov.uk)

If you’re making a standard C2 application within Children Order proceedings, the County Court fee is currently £89 and the High Court fee £117. From April 2026, a 5% uplift points to around £93 and £123 respectively, before the further 2% adjustments arrive in April 2027 and April 2028. Again, check the new schedule for the precise amounts. (northernireland.gov.uk)

For cases that are listed for a full hearing, the existing fee to enter or set down a High Court petition is £465. A 5% increase would take that to about £488 in 2026, with modest further rises in 2027 and 2028. Over the full three‑year period, that’s roughly a 9% cumulative change, subject to rounding in the official schedule. (northernireland.gov.uk)

Fee help still exists. NICTS operates an Exemption and Remission policy so that people on low incomes or certain benefits can receive a reduction or a full waiver. The Department said these safeguards will continue alongside the new uplifts. If affordability is an issue, ask the court office about remissions before you file. (legislation.gov.uk)

One practical tip we use when teaching this: the payable fee is usually the amount in force on the date the court takes the fee (not when you started drafting). If you’re close to 1 April 2026, check with the relevant court office which date locks in your charge. The pre‑change schedule for reference is published by the Northern Ireland Executive, and the updated schedule will be live from April. (northernireland.gov.uk)

If you like to read primary sources, the rule is titled the Family Proceedings Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026. It was made on 3 March 2026 following consultation with the Lady Chief Justice and with the concurrence of the Department of Finance; it comes into operation on 1 April 2026. The Explanatory Memorandum and Regulatory Impact Assessment are available alongside the rule on legislation.gov.uk and from NICTS.

What it means for you: if you’re a student, trainee, or a family going through proceedings, budget for a modest increase in most routine fees from April, keep an eye on the new injunction application charge for urgent matters, and use remissions where you qualify. We’ll update this explainer once the April schedule is published so you can compare the old and new figures line by line. (northernireland.gov.uk)