Family Court Fees in Wales: 2026 Updated Guide

Court fees for family proceedings in England and Wales increased on 13 July 2026 as part of HMCTS's annual fee adjustment. If you're preparing to file a child arrangements application, understanding the exact costs — and how to reduce or eliminate them — helps you budget for a process that already puts financial strain on separating families.

Current Court Fees (From 13 July 2026)

These fees apply across England and Wales. If you filed before 13 July, the previous rates applied (C100 was £263, divorce was £612, consent order was £60).

Fee Remission: Form EX160

If you can't afford the court fee, you can apply for partial or full remission using Form EX160 ("Help with Fees"). Eligibility is based on your individual financial circumstances, not household income:

Full remission (no fee) — you qualify if you receive any of these benefits:

• Universal Credit (with gross monthly earnings under £6,000 in the most recent assessment period)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)

Partial or full remission based on income — if you don't receive qualifying benefits, the court assesses your gross monthly income against a threshold that varies by household size. A single person with a gross monthly income under £1,085 pays nothing. Above that threshold, you pay a graduated contribution.

Savings test — regardless of income, if you have savings or investments above a threshold (£3,000 for a single person, higher with dependants), you won't qualify for full remission.

How to Apply for Fee Remission

You can apply online through the HMCTS Help with Fees service or by submitting a paper EX160 form with your court application. The online system has experienced periods of unavailability, so keep the paper option as a backup.

Apply for fee remission before or at the same time as your court filing. The court will hold your application until the fee status is resolved. You'll receive a reference number starting with "HWF-" — include this on your C100 or other application form.

Processing typically takes two to three weeks. If your application is urgent (e.g., an emergency without notice application), contact the court directly to explain the situation.

Costs Beyond Court Fees

Court fees are only one part of the financial picture. Other costs you may encounter:

• MIAM fee: £120 to £150, paid directly to the mediator. This is not covered by fee remission, but may be covered by Legal Aid if you qualify.
• Mediation sessions: The £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme covers joint mediation costs for eligible cases involving children. The voucher does not cover the initial individual MIAM fee.
• Solicitor fees (if used): £150 to £500 per hour. Drafting a C100 with supporting statement typically costs £500 to £1,000. A contested case through to final hearing can cost £3,000 to £15,000.
• Cafcass Cymru reports: No charge — funded by the Welsh Government.
• Barrister for a hearing: £750 to £2,500 per day, though many parents in Wales represent themselves.

Keeping Costs Down

The most effective way to reduce costs is to reach agreement before court. A consent order costs £62 in court fees versus £270 for a contested C100 application — plus months of hearings and potential solicitor costs.

The Wales Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide walks you through the full process at a fraction of solicitor rates — from parenting plan templates to C100 preparation, helping you file accurately the first time and avoid costly delays.

See more Wales guides →