Why are people overcharged by courts not receiving refunds?
30 July 2020
The Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has published a report which asks the Government to explain why people who have been overcharged by the courts will not receive a refund.
- 24th Report (pdf)
- 24th Report (html)
- Court Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2020 (SI 2020/720)
The Ministry of Justice has undertaken a review of various civil and family fees and has acted promptly to lower them where they have been identified as having recovered more than the actual administrative cost of the service.
The Government state, however, that a refund scheme will not be launched in respect of the fees reduced by this legislation. The Committee therefore draws this matter to the attention of the House of Lords and suggests that “The House may wish to ask the Minister for further information about the decision not to refund those who had paid fees above cost, and what estimate the Ministry of Justice has made of the number of people affected."