Court fees for a Ipswich County Court and Family Hearing Centre small claim

Before your claim is heard at Ipswich County Court and Family Hearing Centre you pay an issue fee when the claim starts and, for defended claims that get that far, a hearing fee. Fees are fixed by the current fee schedule (uprated April 2025) and published on gov.uk - this page shows the standard small claims bands and how Help with Fees works.

The fee bands

Issue fees: £35 up to £300; £50 on claims £300.01–£500; £70 on £500.01–£1,000; and 4.5% of the claim value on £1,000.01–£10,000. Hearing fees in small claims: £335 for claims over £1,000, £235 for £300.01–£1,000, and £115 up to £300. Always confirm against the current EX50 schedule on gov.uk before paying - fees change.

Help with Fees (EX160)

If you are on a low income or receive certain benefits, the EX160 application can remit all or part of the fee; apply online or by post before paying. Fee remission does not affect the merits - it is an administrative assessment of means. Keep every receipt: some costs are recoverable if you win.

Checklist

• Claim value banded; issue fee confirmed on gov.uk
• Hearing fee budgeted for defended claims
• EX160 submitted early if eligible
• Receipts kept for recoverable costs

Official sources and related pages

• Fee help guide
• Money claim process

Court details (verified register data)

• Court: Ipswich County Court and Family Hearing Centre
• Court code: 233
• Address: 8 Arcade Street, Ipswich, Ipswich, IP1 1EJ
• Phone: 0300 123 5577; 0300 303 0642; 0330 808 4424
• Civil filing email: enquiries.norwich.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• DX: DX 97385 Norwich 5 -Civil
• Public counter hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4pm
• 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, hearing loop, interview rooms, baby changing, GovWiFi

Source: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/ipswich-county-court-and-family-hearing-centre. 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.