Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which courts requiring the payment of fees operate a fee remission system.

Our courts and tribunals play a critical role in our society and it is vital we preserve the principle of access to justice by providing a properly funded service.

It is right that those who use the court and tribunal system should pay more to relieve the burden on the taxpayer.

At every stage we have sought to protect the most vulnerable who cannot afford to pay a fee by ensuring that a system of fee remissions, exemptions or waivers is in place in all of HMCTS’s fee charging jurisdictions in the civil and family courts and tribunals.

In addition, the Lord Chancellor’s power to remit or reduce fees in exceptional circumstances applies across all fee charging jurisdictions.