UK Court Fee Calculator (Estimate)
Use this tool to estimate civil money claim fees in England and Wales. It can calculate the claim issue fee and optionally add a small claims hearing fee estimate.
This is an informational estimate only. Court fees can change, and fees differ by jurisdiction, case type, and track allocation.
If you are searching for a practical court fee calculator UK, this page gives you a straightforward estimate for common civil money claims. Court costs can feel confusing at first, especially when terms like issue fee, hearing fee, and fee remission all get discussed together. The aim here is to simplify those numbers so you can plan your claim budget before filing.
What this calculator includes
- Issue fee estimate for civil money claims based on claim value.
- Online vs paper filing comparison for claims above £10,000.
- Optional small claims hearing fee estimate for claims usually within the small claims range.
Court issue fee bands at a glance
For many lower-value money claims, issue fees are charged in bands. These are commonly used reference points:
| Claim amount | Estimated issue fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 |
| £300.01 to £500 | £50 |
| £500.01 to £1,000 | £70 |
| £1,000.01 to £1,500 | £80 |
| £1,500.01 to £3,000 | £115 |
| £3,000.01 to £5,000 | £205 |
| £5,000.01 to £10,000 | £455 |
| Over £10,000 (online) | 4.5% (capped at £10,000) |
| Over £10,000 (paper) | 5% (capped at £10,000) |
Estimated small claims hearing fees
If your case is allocated to the small claims track, a hearing fee may be payable later in the process. A common guide is:
- Up to £300: £27
- £300.01 to £500: £59
- £500.01 to £1,000: £85
- £1,000.01 to £1,500: £123
- £1,500.01 to £3,000: £181
- £3,000.01 to £10,000: £346
Claims above £10,000 are often allocated outside small claims, where hearing fees can vary more widely. That is why this calculator does not automatically add a hearing fee above that level.
How to use this court fee calculator UK tool
1) Enter your claim value
Type the amount you are claiming in pounds. Example: 2750.00.
2) Choose online or paper filing
For claims over £10,000, this can affect your estimated issue fee percentage.
3) Tick hearing fee if needed
If you want a quick end-to-end estimate for a likely small claims case, include the hearing fee.
4) Read the breakdown
The result panel will show issue fee, hearing fee (if selected), and estimated total.
Worked examples
- Example A: £900 claim filed online. Estimated issue fee: £70.
- Example B: £4,500 claim filed on paper + hearing fee. Issue fee £205 + hearing fee £346 = total £551.
- Example C: £25,000 online claim. Issue fee estimated at 4.5% = £1,125 (before any case-specific adjustments).
Can you get help paying court fees?
Yes. If you are on a low income or certain benefits, you may qualify for Help With Fees. This can reduce or remove some fees depending on your circumstances. If eligible, this can make a major difference to total claim costs.
When planning, treat this calculator as your gross fee estimate first, then apply any Help With Fees adjustment separately.
Frequently asked questions
Does this include legal costs?
No. This calculator estimates court fees only, not solicitor costs, barrister fees, expert reports, or enforcement costs.
Is this valid for Scotland?
No. Scotland has different courts and fee structures. This page is aligned to England and Wales style money-claim fee logic.
Are court fees tax deductible?
That depends on context and should be confirmed with an accountant or legal adviser. The calculator does not apply any tax treatment.
Final note
A fee estimate helps you decide whether your case is financially practical before filing. Use this as a planning tool, then confirm exact charges against the latest official HMCTS guidance or by checking with your court before submitting your claim.