Estimate Help with Fees for an England or Wales court or tribunal fee.Example fee: £100. Rules checked against HMCTS EX160A and EX160C guidance published 19 January 2026.
The Help with Court Fees Calculator estimates whether you could receive a full or partial reduction of a court or tribunal fee in England and Wales. It checks your fee amount, household income, savings, qualifying benefits, age and dependent children against the Help with Fees rules.
This calculator provides an estimate rather than an official decision. HM Courts and Tribunals Service, or HMCTS, makes the final assessment after reviewing your EX160 application.
How the Help with Court Fees Calculator Works
First, enter the court or tribunal fee that you need to pay. Next, provide your savings, gross monthly income and household status. You can then add dependent children, qualifying benefits and age information under the advanced options.
The calculator completes two main tests:
- The disposable capital test checks your savings and investments.
- The income test calculates whether you qualify for full or partial fee remission.
You must normally pass the savings test before HMCTS considers your income or benefits. However, the applicable savings limit depends on the size of the court fee and whether you or your partner are aged 66 or over.
After completing the assessment, the calculator displays:
- your estimated fee to pay;
- your estimated fee remission;
- the original court fee;
- the applicable savings threshold;
- your income threshold;
- the maximum income contribution;
- the assessment route used.
The calculations follow the official EX160A Help with Fees guidance and the EX160C fee remission calculator.
Who Can Apply for Help with Court Fees?
Help with Fees is available to individuals who need to pay an eligible court or tribunal fee in England or Wales. Sole traders can also apply because HMCTS treats them as individuals for this scheme.
Eligibility may depend on:
- your savings and investments;
- your partner’s savings and income;
- your gross monthly income;
- the number and ages of dependent children;
- qualifying benefits;
- your age;
- the amount of the court or tribunal fee.
You should select “Applicant with a partner” if you are married, in a civil partnership or living with someone as a couple. Nevertheless, different treatment may apply when your partner has a conflicting interest in the case.
Scotland and Northern Ireland operate separate court fee systems. Therefore, this calculator should only be used for applications handled in England and Wales.
Help with Court Fees Savings Limits
Savings and investments are also called disposable capital. They can include money in savings accounts, ISAs, investments, cryptocurrency, bonds, second-property equity and certain lump-sum payments.
For applicants aged 65 or younger, the limit changes according to the court fee.
| Court or tribunal fee | Maximum savings or investments |
|---|---|
| Up to £1,420 | Up to £4,250 |
| £1,421 to £5,000 | Less than three times the fee |
| £5,001 or more | Up to £16,000 |
| Applicant or partner aged 66+ | Up to £16,000 for any fee |
For example, a £2,000 court fee has a disposable capital threshold of £6,000. Savings of £5,999 would pass the test, while savings of £6,000 would not pass the standard test.
When you have a partner, you will usually need to include their savings. However, you may exclude them when your partner has a conflicting interest in the proceedings.
Some payments do not count as disposable capital. These can include personal injury compensation, certain redress payments, student loans and personal pensions. Always review the complete EX160A guidance before submitting your figures.
Income Thresholds for Full Fee Remission
A successful savings test does not automatically guarantee help. Unless you receive a qualifying benefit, HMCTS also considers your gross monthly income.
The starting income thresholds are:
| Household circumstances | Full-remission monthly income threshold |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | £1,420 |
| Applicant with a partner | £2,130 |
| Each child aged 0 to 13 | Add £425 |
| Each child aged 14 or older | Add £710 |
A single applicant with one child aged 10 has a threshold of £1,845. Meanwhile, a couple supporting one child aged 15 has a threshold of £2,840.
The income figure should normally cover the previous calendar month. If your income changes, you may use the lower of the previous month’s income or your average monthly income over the last three calendar months.
Gross income can include wages before tax, self-employment profits, pensions, maintenance, Child Benefit, Universal Credit and other payments. In contrast, several disability, housing and care-related benefits do not count. The official guidance provides the complete list.
Qualifying Benefits for Court Fee Help
You may qualify for full fee remission through the benefits route if you pass the savings test and receive an eligible benefit.
Qualifying benefits include:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance;
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
- Income Support;
- Universal Credit where annual earnings are below £6,000;
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
When you choose a qualifying benefit in the calculator, monthly income and child allowances no longer affect the estimated result. Even so, the disposable capital test still applies.
HMCTS may check your benefit information with the Department for Work and Pensions. Consequently, you should select this route only when the benefit and any additional earnings conditions apply to you.
How Partial Fee Remission Is Calculated
You may still receive some help when your monthly income exceeds the full-remission threshold. The Help with Court Fees Calculator divides the excess income into three contribution bands.
| Income above the threshold | Contribution rate |
|---|---|
| First £1,000 | 50% |
| Next £1,000 | 70% |
| Final £1,000 | 90% |
Before applying these percentages, the assessable income excess is rounded down to the nearest £10.
The basic formula is:
Income threshold = £1,420 + partner allowance + child allowances
The partner allowance is £710. Each child aged 0 to 13 adds £425, while each child aged 14 or older adds £710.
Next:
Income excess = Gross monthly income − Income threshold
Finally:
Estimated fee to pay = Lower of the court fee or maximum income contribution
Estimated fee remission = Original court fee − Estimated fee to pay
Income more than £3,000 above the relevant threshold will normally fall outside the standard partial-remission calculation. Exceptional hardship provisions may still apply in some circumstances.
Help with Court Fees Calculation Examples
Example 1: Full fee remission
A single applicant needs to pay a £100 court fee. Their monthly income is £1,420, and they have no savings.
- Savings threshold: £4,250
- Income threshold: £1,420
- Income above threshold: £0
- Maximum contribution: £0
- Estimated fee to pay: £0
- Estimated remission: £100
Because the applicant passes both tests, the calculator estimates a full fee remission.
Example 2: Partial fee remission
A single applicant has a £1,000 court fee, £1,000 in savings and monthly income of £2,420.
Their income exceeds the £1,420 threshold by £1,000. Therefore, the first contribution band applies at 50%.
- Income excess: £1,000
- Maximum contribution: £500
- Estimated fee to pay: £500
- Estimated remission: £500
Example 3: Three contribution bands
Suppose a single applicant needs to pay a £3,000 fee. They have £2,500 in savings and monthly income of £3,920.
The income excess is £2,500:
- First £1,000 × 50% = £500
- Next £1,000 × 70% = £700
- Remaining £500 × 90% = £450
- Maximum contribution = £1,650
As a result, the applicant may need to pay £1,650. The estimated fee remission is £1,350.
Example 4: Savings test failure
An applicant has £6,000 in savings and needs help with a £2,000 court fee.
The savings threshold is less than three times the fee:
£2,000 × 3 = £6,000
Because the applicant’s savings are not below £6,000, the standard disposable capital test fails. The estimated fee to pay is the full £2,000.
Example 5: Qualifying benefit
An applicant receives income-based JSA, has £1,000 in savings and needs to pay a £612 court fee.
Their savings remain below the £4,250 threshold. Therefore, the qualifying-benefit route produces an estimated full fee remission of £612.
Help with Court Fees Threshold Table
| Assessment factor | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Single applicant income threshold | £1,420 per month |
| Couple income threshold | £2,130 per month |
| Child aged 0–13 | Add £425 |
| Child aged 14+ | Add £710 |
| Maximum excess for standard partial calculation | £3,000 |
| First contribution band | 50% of the first £1,000 |
| Second contribution band | 70% of the next £1,000 |
| Third contribution band | 90% of the final £1,000 |
| Basic savings limit | £4,250 |
| Maximum savings limit | £16,000 |
| Refund application period | Within three months of payment |
These thresholds apply to the standard scheme in England and Wales. HMCTS can update the rules, so check the official guidance before relying on an estimate.
Applying Before or After Paying the Court Fee
You can apply for help before paying the fee. In that situation, submit your Help with Fees application at the same time as the relevant court or tribunal application.
Alternatively, you can request a refund after payment when:
- you paid the fee within the previous three months;
- you met the eligibility rules when you paid it.
Use your income, savings and benefit circumstances from the date of payment for a refund request. Do not use your current circumstances if they have since changed.
Each court or tribunal fee requires a separate Help with Fees application. For example, an application fee and a later hearing fee normally need separate applications.
How to Apply Using Form EX160
You can apply online through the official GOV.UK Help with Fees service. Alternatively, download and complete Form EX160.
You may need to provide:
- your personal information;
- your National Insurance number or Home Office reference;
- your partner’s details where applicable;
- the court or tribunal form number;
- your case or claim reference;
- savings and investment information;
- benefit details;
- gross monthly income;
- information about dependent children.
HMCTS may request bank statements, payslips or benefit information. If the court asks for evidence, provide it within the stated deadline.
What the Calculator Does Not Cover
The Help with Court Fees Calculator does not cover every legal cost. In particular, it does not calculate:
- solicitor or barrister charges;
- transcript fees;
- third-party fees;
- insolvency deposits;
- document search or duplicate-copy charges;
- Scotland or Northern Ireland court fee relief;
- Court of Protection fee remission.
Use Form COP44A when seeking help with a Court of Protection fee. Furthermore, HMCTS can consider exceptional hardship when an applicant does not qualify under the standard rules but cannot realistically afford the fee.
Features of This Help with Court Fees Calculator
The calculator provides:
- current EX160 income thresholds;
- automatic partner and child allowances;
- three partial-remission contribution bands;
- fee-based savings limits;
- a separate rule for applicants aged 66 or over;
- qualifying-benefit options;
- calculations for refunds and unpaid fees;
- detailed income and savings breakdowns;
- live exchange-rate display;
- Copy Results and Copy Share Link;
- a Restart button.
Live currency conversion only changes the displayed result. HMCTS assesses income, savings and court fees in pounds sterling.
You can also explore other Legal and Estate Calculators for related estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Help with Fees?
Help with Fees is an HMCTS scheme that can reduce or remove eligible court and tribunal fees for people with limited savings and income. It is also known as fee remission.
Does the calculator provide an official eligibility decision?
No. It produces an estimate based on the information entered. HMCTS makes the official decision after reviewing your application.
Can I qualify if I receive Universal Credit?
Possibly. Universal Credit qualifies for the benefits route when your annual earnings are below £6,000 and you pass the disposable capital test.
Do I need to include my partner’s income?
Usually, yes. Include your partner’s income and savings when you are married, in a civil partnership or living together as a couple. Different rules may apply when your partner has a conflicting interest in the case.
How do children affect the income limit?
Each supported child aged 0 to 13 increases the monthly threshold by £425. A child aged 14 or older increases it by £710.
What happens if my income changes every month?
Use either the previous calendar month or your average monthly income over the previous three calendar months, whichever is lower.
Can I receive partial help rather than a full remission?
Yes. Partial remission may apply when your income exceeds the full-remission threshold but remains within the standard partial-help range.
Do savings always have a £4,250 limit?
No. The limit depends on the court fee. It can equal three times the fee or rise to £16,000. Applicants aged 66 or over may use the £16,000 threshold for any eligible fee.
Can I apply after paying the court fee?
Yes. You can normally apply for a refund when you paid the fee within the last three months and qualified at the time of payment.
Does Help with Fees cover legal representation?
No. The scheme covers eligible court and tribunal fees. It does not pay solicitor, barrister or other legal-service costs.
Can a business apply?
Companies and other legal entities cannot normally use the scheme. However, a sole trader may apply as an individual.
What should I do if I fail the standard eligibility tests?
You can ask the court to consider exceptional hardship when you cannot realistically afford the fee. Provide evidence of your income, savings, expenses and relevant circumstances.