Northern Ireland County Court jurisdictional increase set for 30 November

The measures are subject to the negative resolution procedure and are expected to take effect on 30 November 2026.

In reviewing the proposals, the Committee considered responses to its public consultation from five respondents, including DAC Beachcroft NI LLP. The Committee noted concerns raised about claims costs in Northern Ireland and their effect on insurance premiums, with claims reported to cost at least 10% more than elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Although it broadly welcomed the proposed increases, it agreed to seek further comments from the Department of Justice on the consultation responses before the legislation progresses.

These proposals would deliver the most significant increase in the County Court’s financial jurisdiction for many years, which is welcome news. The Department of Justice aims to enable more civil claims to be determined in the County Court, reduce the need for High Court proceedings and bring Northern Ireland’s court structure more closely into line with other UK jurisdictions. The related amendments would extend the existing scale costs regime to claims within the higher limits by adding six costs bands up to £60,000.

The relevant statutory rules and orders must now complete the Assembly’s negative resolution procedure. In the meantime, the proposals have returned to the Department of Justice for final review. The higher jurisdictional limits and revised County Court scale costs are expected to take effect on 30 November 2026. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as implementation approaches.

Proposed County Court Scale Costs

• Claims up to £500: £312
• Claims from £500 to £1,000: £681
• Claims from £1,000 to £2,500: £1,439
• Claims from £2,500 to £5,000: £2,044
• Claims from £5,000 to £7,500: £2,651
• Claims from £7,500 to £10,000: £3,029
• Claims from £10,000 to £12,500: £3,332
• Claims from £12,500 to £15,000: £3,635
• Claims from £15,000 to £20,000: £4,910
• Claims from £20,000 to £25,000: £5,389
• Claims from £25,000 to £30,000: £5,945
• Claims from £30,000 to £35,000: £6,659
• Claims from £35,000 to £40,000: £7,216
• Claims from £40,000 to £45,000: £7,608
• Claims from £45,000 to £50,000: £8,014
• Claims from £50,000 to £55,000: £8,416
• Claims from £55,000 to £60,000: £8,847

Further information is available below: 

Draft revised County Court scale costs: County Court (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2026.