From 1 April 2026, fees for business in Northern Ireland’s magistrates’ courts will increase by 5%, followed by further 2% uplifts on 1 April 2027 and 1 April 2028. The move is set out in a new Department of Justice order and confirmed in the department’s consultation response this week. (4ni.co.uk)

Officials say the goal is to push civil and family courts towards full cost recovery while keeping fee remissions in place for those on low incomes or certain benefits. In plain terms, many day‑to‑day applications will cost a little more, but the safety‑net remains for people who qualify for help. (justice-ni.gov.uk)

The statutory rule also updates the underlying 1996 framework by replacing the fee schedules, clarifies that no fee is charged for specific anonymity applications under section 3A(2) or (6) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, and prescribes a dedicated fee for applications under the Family Law Act 1986 to disclose a child’s whereabouts or to recover a child. An explanatory memorandum and regulatory impact assessment accompany the order via the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service.

For Northern readers doing business across the Irish Sea-hauliers moving goods through Larne, manufacturers servicing contracts in Belfast, or hospitality operators with licensed premises-this matters. Licensing, enforcement and small civil claims run through the magistrates’ court, so legal outlays will edge up and should be priced into 2026–28 budgets. (justice-ni.gov.uk)

Families will feel the changes in practical ways too. While most child‑related applications are modestly priced, the extra 5% from April can add up across multiple filings. The clarification that no fee applies to certain sexual‑offences anonymity applications is welcome, removing any doubt for victims and accused who need swift decisions from a magistrates’ court.

Context helps. Scotland has set a 3% rise in 2026 with another 3% in 2027; by contrast, Northern Ireland front‑loads with 5% before moving to 2% annual uplifts. In England and Wales, many fees rose by around 3.2% in April 2025. Northern users and businesses operating in NI should expect the Northern model to bite a little harder in year one. (gov.scot)

The Department of Justice frames the approach as a financial necessity, noting projected extra recurring income of around £2.3 million by 2028–29 to support court operations. The consultation response was published this week as ministers seek to stabilise justice funding. (justice-ni.gov.uk)

Political accountability sits with Justice Minister Naomi Long and, on concurrence for fees policy, Finance Minister John O’Dowd-both confirmed in their posts by departmental records. For practitioners and court users, that means decisions and any future tweaks will run through DoJ and DoF. (justice-ni.gov.uk)

What should people do now? Solicitors and advice agencies should refresh their fee guides for clients filing from 1 April 2026 and keep an eye on updated schedules as they publish. SMEs with NI exposure-particularly those relying on licensing courts-should re‑baseline case costs for 2026–28 and check whether staff or clients qualify for fee remissions before issuing proceedings. Guidance on remissions remains available from the Department of Justice. (justice-ni.gov.uk)

There will be debate about timing. Legal trade outlets have already asked whether a 5% first‑year rise is proportionate if inflation cools towards mid‑2% in 2026. The department’s position is that steady uplifts and a three‑year plan give users and practitioners the predictability they have long asked for. (thebriefni.co.uk)