The Ministry of Justice’s proposal to significantly increase the cost of issuing money claims in the English courts to 5% of the value of the claim (subject to a cap of £10,000) from as early as 1 March 2015 has been delayed until at least April 2015.
To give you an idea of what the increase means in practical terms, a claim for an unpaid invoice of £50,000 would currently costs £910 to issue at court but under the new regime would costs a whopping £2,500.
The Law Society has issued a pre-action protocol letter for judicial review to challenge the government’s decision. The Law Society claims the new fees “would be contrary to the principles of Magna Carta”.
To find out more email Kellie Williams-Jauvel, Senior Associate Solicitor, Dispute Resolution Department at Morrisons Solicitors: [email protected] or call 020 8971 1031.