Help with Fees (EX160) for a Dudley County Court and Family Court claim

Help with Fees (Form EX160) can reduce or remove court fees for people on low incomes - including the issue and hearing fees on a small claim heading to Dudley County Court and Family Court. The application is means-tested against your monthly income and receipt of certain benefits, and it is free to apply.

Who qualifies

Receiving certain means-tested benefits typically passes you automatically (attach the award letter). Otherwise the calculator looks at your monthly income after essential deductions against national thresholds that vary by dependants. Self-employed applicants average their income over the last three months. A failed application does not affect your claim - you simply pay the fee as normal.

How to apply

Apply online on gov.uk or on the paper form before you pay the fee; you will receive a reference number to quote on the claim form (Form N1). If the fee is only part-covered you pay the balance. Keep copies of everything - the remission reference must match your claim paperwork when Dudley County Court and Family Court processes it.

Checklist

• Benefit award letter or 3 months of income figures gathered
• EX160 submitted before paying the fee
• Reference number quoted on the claim form
• Copies retained for the court file

Official sources and related pages

• Fee bands overview
• National helplines and free support

Court details (verified register data)

• Court: Dudley County Court and Family Court
• Address: The Inhedge, Dudley, Dudley, DY1 1RY
• Phone: 0300 123 5577
• Civil filing email: enquiries.dudley.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• DX: DX 703028 Sheffield 6
• Public counter hours: Monday to Friday
• Document drop-box: Not published in the register - confirm with the court directly
• Hearing format: Not published in the register - confirm with the court directly
• Facilities: disabled access

Source: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/dudley-county-court-and-family-court. Verified 2026-09-04. Always confirm against the official court finder before travelling.

Free national support

• Support Through Court: 0300 081 0000 - free, independent support for litigants without a lawyer
• Citizens Advice consumer service: 0808 223 1133 - consumer disputes, pre-claim guidance
• HMCTS general enquiries: 0300 123 7050 - finding the right court or money claim centre

This page is general information about County Court procedure, not legal advice, and it is not provided by HMCTS or any court. Procedures and fees change - always confirm against the official sources linked here before you act.

>Small Claims Court Help is an independent information directory. It is not affiliated with HMCTS, the Ministry of Justice, or any court.

Reviewed by Sean McNamara, 2026-09-04.