The Court counter & HMCTS help with fees — using the court's own services
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27
What HMCTS itself offers
Beyond the courts and judges, HMCTS (His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service) runs services litigants in person use constantly:
- Court counters — most are now appointment-only; book by phone or email via your court (see our court pages for the right contact)
- Help with fees — if you're on a low income or certain benefits you may not pay court fees (C100 £232-ish, FL401 free, divorce fee etc. — apply using the EX160 form): https://www.gov.uk/get-help-with-court-fees
- Online applications — C100 and divorce can be filed online; paper is still accepted
- CourtFinder — every court's page has contacts, hours and facilities: https://www.gov.uk/find-court-tribunal
Using counters well
- Book; don't queue without an appointment (most counters turn walk-ins away)
- Bring copies of everything you submit — counters keep originals
- Ask for a receipt stamped with the date for every filing
- Fee remission: apply before paying (refunds are harder)
How this fits your family court case
Fee remissions and correct filing keep your case alive — a rejected application over a fee can cost weeks. Pair this page with our court fees guide and your local court page.
Official links
- Help with fees: https://www.gov.uk/get-help-with-court-fees
- Court finder: https://www.gov.uk/find-court-tribunal
This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with HMCTS or gov.uk.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.