Petition · past parliament
The massive increase in court fees needs to be reversed for access to justice
Closed
1,561 signatures
What the petition asks
Court fees have increased in some cases by 600% in recent times in civil matters. Employment cases have seen fees introduced to very high levels, and divorce fees have also recently been hiked again. The high rise in fees is causing a barrier to justice, and debate is urgently required.
Concern has been raised by practitioner groups, and senior judiciary, and the effect has been seen, most particularly in the employment sector where a 70% reduction in numbers of issued cases has occurred.
Small businesses, and those who have been caused damage and loss are now expected to pay massively hiked fees, ironically at a time when legal costs have been roundly criticised by the government.
Small businesses, and those who have been caused damage and loss are now expected to pay massively hiked fees, ironically at a time when legal costs have been roundly criticised by the government.
Timeline
| 1 Feb 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 1 Aug 2016 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
1,561
Status
Closed
Opened
1 Feb 2016
Closed
1 Aug 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.