Plans for some civil court fees to rise nearly fifty-fold to help raise an extra £38m for the ­Ministry of Justice have come under fire.

Proposals out for consultation could see hikes in 26 fee areas in civil court matters, with increases in 10 fee areas in magistrates’ courts.

The largest proposed increase is in the fee paid by solicitors for a detailed assessment of costs where the party filing the request is legally aided and no other party is ordered to pay. This would rise from £105 to between £300 and £5,000. Requesting a bailiff by an order to attend court could rise from £30 to £100.

The proposals have been roundly criticised by organisations including the Law Society, the Legal Aid Practitioners Group and the Law Centres Federation.

Legal Aid Practitioners Group director Carol Storer said: ‘While this fee can be claimed in advance or reimbursed from the Legal Services Commission, it is a huge increase and would be a large disbursement for solicitors to carry and a huge amount for the LSC to pay out. It is robbing Peter to pay Paul.’

Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve (pictured) described the rise as ‘a stealth tax on those in debt’.

Justice minister Bridget Prentice defended the plans. ‘When they can afford it, it is right that those who choose to use the civil courts should pay - not the taxpayer.’

The consultation ends on 4 March.