Rising court fees are a bar to justice

Critics of the recent government imposed hike in court fees have have hit out against the spiralling cost of litigation.

According to a recent poll, 90% of dispute specialists said the twin factors of rising court fees and increasing disclosure costs would dissuade potential litigants.
The recently imposed cost-budgeting procedures were also criticised for driving up legal costs. Ironically the measures had been intended to reduce litigation costs!
Fees in the county court have been massively increased by the government, with 5% of the value of a claim now being charged for County Court claims worth over £10,000. Claims with a value of £200,000 will command a court issue fee of a staggering £10,000.
This creates funding problems for people wishing to use the court system and is actively restricting access to justice. In the last few years we have taken a step back to the days when justice was only available to those who could afford it; a principle that is at odds with the rule of law in a democratic society.

Lee Dawkins

Lee Dawkins

Over the past 30 years Lee has overseen the expansion of the firm’s litigation department. He developed our personal injury and clinical negligence teams, creating various niche areas that now enjoy a national profile. He pioneered contentious probate, setting up one of the UK's leading inheritance dispute teams and established Slee Blackwell as a force within claimant professional negligence. He now works as the firm's marketing partner.
Lee Dawkins

Lee Dawkins

Over the past 30 years Lee has overseen the expansion of the firm’s litigation department. He developed our personal injury and clinical negligence teams, creating various niche areas that now enjoy a national profile. He pioneered contentious probate, setting up one of the UK's leading inheritance dispute teams and established Slee Blackwell as a force within claimant professional negligence. He now works as the firm's marketing partner.

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