Changes to 30 types of civil court fee will come into effect on 13 July. The Ministry of Justice said the changes are aimed at targeting taxpayers’ money more effectively while helping those in financial difficulty. Several fees will rise. For example, the fee for sending a bailiff to collect a debt or seize a debtor’s goods rises from £35 or £55 to £100.

Those paying the increased fees will be able to recover costs from the defendant if the claim is successful.

Fees are waived automatically for people on means-tested benefits such as income support or on low incomes. People who do not meet either of these criteria can apply to the court for a full or partial fee waiver based on a means test.

The announcement follows a MoJ consultation on fees in civil courts, which closed on 4 March 2009.

Justine Minister Bridget Prentice said: ‘These changes are in the best interests of people on low incomes and of taxpayers. Those who can’t afford to pay a court fee deserve the taxpayers’ help.’

‘But court fees need to reflect the true cost of court proceedings. Together with a system that waives or reduces fees for those who cannot afford them, that is the right balance to ensure fair access to justice, fairness to the taxpayer and proper funding of courts’ running costs now and in the future,’ she said.