Court costs

If you go to court you have to pay professional and court fees. You may not have to pay these if you are getting legal aid. If you are successful most of your costs will usually be paid by the other side. However, if you fail you will usually have to pay your fees and the other side's fees. If you are using the small claims court you won't be responsible for the other side's costs even if you lose.

If you are acting on your own behalf remember to ask the court to make an order relating to costs. If the court doesn't do this each side will be responsible for their own costs.

Professional fees

Professional fees include barrister fees and other costs involved in preparing the case. These fees are based on the time spent on a case and are usually expensive. Ask your solicitor for an estimate of fees before starting your case and at any time where extra work or delays are foreseen.

Court fees

Court fees are fixed. These fees depend on the nature of the case and the monetary value of the claim. The list of court fees is available on the Court Service website.

Court fees may be waived if you are getting legal aid or if paying the fee would cause a lot of hardship. Your solicitor or an advice agency can give you more information

Evidence and other costs

You may have to pay for the cost of witnesses to attend court. Witnesses can claim reasonable travel expenses and any reasonable claims for loss of earnings and subsistence allowance.

You could also have to pay for reports. For example, a police report following an accident.