Court of Protection Fee Changes July 2026 | Sheridan Consult

Court of Protection Fees Have Increased: What Families and Professionals Need to Know

Date: 3rd August, 2026.

Authored By: Doris Sheridan | doris@sheridanconsult.co.uk

From 13 July 2026, Court of Protection fees in England and Wales increased for the first time in several years. The changes, confirmed by the Ministry of Justice as part of a wider update to court and tribunal fees, apply to all applications submitted on or after that date and are not retrospective.

For families navigating Court of Protection proceedings often already under significant emotional and financial pressure understanding what has changed and what support is available is essential.

What Has Changed?

The court application fee has increased from £421 to £432, and the hearing fee has increased from £259 to £266. The assessment fee has also increased from £99 to £102.

The increases are part of a broader MoJ reform affecting 170 fees rising in line with the 2024 to 2025 inflation rate of 2.6%, alongside 27 fees increasing by an average of 34% to reflect accumulated inflation from previous years where costs were not fully updated.

The fee for filing a Request for Detailed Assessment in the Court of Protection has also increased from £99 to £102. Firms dealing with Court of Protection costs should ensure that precedent documents, fee schedules, and internal processes are updated accordingly, as applications submitted with incorrect fees can result in unnecessary delays.

Why This Matters for Families

Court of Protection proceedings are rarely straightforward. They arise in some of the most complex and emotionally demanding circumstances when a loved one lacks capacity to make decisions about their welfare, their finances, or their living arrangements. The process involves multiple stages, each carrying its own fee, and the cumulative cost of an application can be significant even before legal representation is factored in.

A 2.6% increase may appear modest in isolation. But for families who are already managing the practical and financial demands of supporting someone through a period of crisis or long-term incapacity, every additional cost matters. For organisations and local authorities managing high volumes of CoP applications including those working to clear backlogs these increases will also affect cost forecasting and planning.

What This Means for Professionals

For social workers, care coordinators, ICB leads, and legal representatives managing Court of Protection applications on behalf of individuals who lack capacity, the practical implications are straightforward but important.

Fee schedules, cost forecasts, and any documentation referencing specific CoP fees should be reviewed and updated to reflect the new rates. Applications submitted with incorrect fees risk being rejected or delayed an avoidable outcome in proceedings where timing frequently matters.

Organisations supporting families through CoP applications should also ensure that families are aware of the Help with Fees scheme at the earliest opportunity, particularly where financial hardship may be a factor.

The Broader Picture

These fee changes sit within a wider pattern of increasing costs across the court system at a time when Court of Protection application volumes are already rising. The combination of an ageing population, increasing complexity of care needs, and a growing awareness of the legal frameworks governing incapacity means that more families and organisations are navigating Court of Protection proceedings than ever before and they are doing so in a system that is under sustained pressure.

Understanding the costs involved, the support available, and the importance of getting applications right first time has never been more important.

How Sheridan Consult Can Help

At Sheridan Consult, we support individuals, families, local authorities, and Integrated Care Boards navigating Court of Protection applications and proceedings. Our specialist team brings extensive experience across deputyship applications, best interests decisions, welfare orders, and complex case management helping to ensure that applications are prepared thoroughly, submitted correctly, and progressed as efficiently as possible.