The Government has responded to the consultation responses on its Proposal for Fee Reform, which explored increasing selected court fees and help with fees income thresholds by inflation.
CCUA Chair Rob Thompson, when asked about his comments on the Government Response, stated:
“Unsurprisingly, the CCUA’s calls for a full review of the fee charging structure have again been refused and the latest increase will now be going ahead, as can be seen here.
“I do not wish to repeat all of the points we have made in our submissions over the last few months. However, the flawed and misleading nature in which the Government so easily attempts and fails to dismiss our arguments is disappointing. They continue to essentially rely on their mantra that the service costs more than the fees which are generated. This is despite the fact that we have continually pointed out that based on their own figures, the civil courts actually generate a considerable profit at the court user’s expense. To continue with their mantra based upon the position across the courts as a whole is, disingenuous at best, if not deliberately misleading. It is rather like justifying an increase in the Dartford crossing toll, on the basis that it fails to cover the cost of the entire national road network!
“Unfortunately, as we have seen so often over the years, when it comes to fees consultations they are, inevitably, a fait accompli.”
