Solicitors warned that access to justice could be harmed after the government announced a massive cross-the-board hike in civil court fees this week, in a move towards full recovery of court costs.

Court fee levels to be introduced by the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) on 4 January 2005 will see substantial rises in most fee categories in family cases, and in almost every category in the High Court and county court - with some fees soaring by more than 100%.


Three new fee bands have been introduced for money claims worth more than £200,000, with the highest charge more than doubling to £1,700. In the High Court, fees for non-monetary claims will rise from £180 to £400, while applications for detailed assessments will increase from £250 to £600.


The DCA estimates that the new rates, along with an hourly trial fee in the High Court and Court of Appeal that has been delayed until April 2005, will double High Court income to £37 million. Rises in family rates should see a 22% increase in income to £11.5 million.


Anthony Maton, executive committee member of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, said the increases could harm access to justice. He said: 'These rises are a step away from the idea that the state should provide the court building and judge free of charge, which is a basic tenet of the judicial system.'


David Greene, litigation partner at Edwin Coe in London, added: 'British justice remains highly valued but charging hourly rates for judges [in 2005] is going to dissuade potential international litigants from coming to London.'


A Law Society spokesperson said: 'Increases in civil court fees do not help access to justice and once again it will be the most vulnerable who will suffer.'


Courts minister Christopher Leslie said: 'We have increased fees for the higher value claims to reflect the more complex and costly work needed for High Court cases.' But he insisted it will not impact on the vast majority of civil court users.


Meanwhile, Lord Justice Brooke, who until June this year was the judge in charge of court modernisation, warned this week that the UK civil justice system is in crisis. He said: 'So long as the Treasury insists on its full cost recovery regime, things can only get worse - much worse.'