Getting your court fees waived — the EX160 form explained

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29

You may not have to pay court fees

If you're on a low income or receive certain benefits, you can apply for a fee remission using form EX160 — which can reduce or eliminate court fees entirely.

What fees can be waived

| Form | What it is | Typical fee | |------|-----------|-------------| | C100 | Child arrangements order | £232 | | FL401 | Non-molestation order | Free | | D8 | Divorce application | £593 | | Form A | Financial remedy application | £275 | | D11 | Variation / other applications | varies |

Who qualifies

You qualify if:

You receive Universal Credit (with earned income below a threshold)
You receive Income-based JSA, ESA, Income Support, Pension Credit
Your monthly income is below a threshold (depends on household size)
You have less than £3,000 in savings (or £16,000 if on UC)

How to apply

1. Download EX160 from https://www.gov.uk/get-help-with-court-fees 2. Fill in your income, benefits and savings details 3. Submit before or at the same time as paying the court fee 4. The court will assess and confirm whether you qualify 5. If approved, you pay nothing or a reduced amount

Important timing

Apply for fee remission before you pay the fee — refunds are possible but slower
If you're applying urgently (e.g. FL401), the fee is free anyway
For C100, the court will hold your application until the fee decision is made

Tips for LiPs

Keep every receipt and every letter from the court about fees
If your EX160 is rejected, you can challenge it with more evidence
If you're on Universal Credit, you'll need your UC statement (last assessment period)

Official links

Help with fees: https://www.gov.uk/get-help-with-court-fees
EX160 form: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-help-with-court-fees-ex160

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with HMCTS or gov.uk.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.