Lords Committee asks Government to explain why overcharged fees will not be refunded
The Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has published a report which covers a review by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into various civil and family court fees.
The review carried out by the MoJ found that in some cases, fees charged had resulted in recovering more than the actual administrative cost of the service provided and as a result the Ministry has acted promptly to reduce these fees.
The Court Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2020 reduces fees, in some cases, by up to £60-70. The Government state, however, that a refund scheme will not be launched in respect of the fees reduced by this legislation.
The Committee asks the Government to explain why people who have been overcharged by the courts will not receive a refund and therefore draws this matter to the attention of the House of Lords and suggests:
“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.”
