Middle England is taking yet another blow on the chin following the announcement that the cost of getting divorced is undergoing an astronomical 34% hike, from £410 to £550k, in a drive to boost the economy.

Divorce – with all the consequent expense, trauma and stress – constitutes a major life crisis without the Ministry of Justice further exacerbating the situation for those who need to file a divorce petition for a civil court hearing in England and Wales.

Even a hike of a single penny is unjustifiable, although it appears the Ministry thinks we should be thankful for small mercies after first mooting plans in 2013 to increase divorce fees from £410 to £750 – an increase of over 80%.

Its decision to limit the increase to 34% after ‘careful consideration’ will not lessen the impact for those people who work hard to make a modest living in roles spanning shop assistants, receptionists, bus drivers and electricians who will be forced to dig even deeper into their pockets when the increase bites later this year.

Although the extremely vulnerable who are on benefits or earning a low wage with little or no capital may either be exempt or pay a reduced amount – the very rich will not be affected.

It is inconceivable that businesses in wide ranging sectors including professional services would dare to contemplate, let alone announce, an increase in fees to this astronomical percentage. Indeed there would justifiably be a public outcry if petrol went up from £1.16 to £1.60 a litre.

The rise is part of series of measures to raise an extra £60m a year, which include increases for areas spanning issuing possession claims in the county court, general applications in civil proceedings and contested applications in civil proceedings.

To further add insult to injury, the Ministry is threatening us with another tranche of proposed fee increments on which it is consulting across the next two months that would generate a further £48m in revenue.

Any other body or organisation deigning to railroad through these hikes through would deservedly bring down the wrath of the government on them. The irony that the Ministry of Justice is instigating these changes will not be lost on those who find themselves paying more from the very justice system they seek support from.

If you have any questions or comments about divorce related matters, please call us on 0113 246 0055, leave us a comment below, drop us an e-mail or contact us on @helpwithdivorce.

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The controversial proposal, which seems to have divided the coalition government, would have seen fees rocket from £410 to £750.

Part of wider plans to increase the cost of going to court in England and Wales in certain types of cases, the proposal was in line with the government’s argument that “hardworking taxpayers” should not have to “subsidise disputes between multimillionaires.”

It is quite absurd that the government removed Legal Aid for most family matters and then even considered hiking the fees for divorce to almost double – once again hitting the most vulnerable people and not those multi-millionaires the government believes it is funding.

So this news should be welcome. However the cynics amongst us wonder if ‘shelved’ means permanent removal of the plans, or have they just been set aside temporarily?

The true cost of an uncontested divorce petition is £270, therefore the government makes an estimated £16.8m profit out of divorce. An unnamed member of the judiciary described the fee increase plan as a “novel concept” representing “a departure from the Government’s policy of not charging more than a service costs.”

On top of the cost of the current £410 fee, anyone wanting to issue an application for financial issues to be resolved must pay an additional £255. If the shelved fee increase is dusted down and implemented – and I believe it will be – then the total cost of divorce court fees will be more than £1,000.

The government is already profiting from the misery of many thousands of couples. It’s almost as if some politicians view divorce as a lifestyle choice, so should be taxed like smoking and drinking.

A key difference is that heavy smokers and drinkers can turn to the NHS for free help, advice and support to quit. Separating couples will be left to foot a £1,000 bill for the privilege of a DIY divorce with no professional help or advice at all.

What do you think about the cost of court fees – would you be prepared to pay more?

If you have any questions about separation or divorce please call us on 0113 246 0055, leave us a comment below or drop us an e-mail.

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