Court Fees

Court fees are prescribed in a number of statutory regulations. They are payable at various steps in civil proceedings. The most common fees are those payable when documents are lodged with the Court, for example, for filing statements of claim, statements of defence and interlocutory applications. However, separate fees are also payable for services, for example, for hearings, sealing documents and providing copies of documents.

Fees Payable in New Zealand Civil and Family Proceedings

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all fees payable in New Zealand Courts and Tribunals. It excludes most specialist jurisdictions. However, it is intended to include most fees payable in relation to proceedings and orders of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, District Courts, and Disputes Tribunals. If there is any doubt regarding a court fee, please refer directly to the relevant Regulations or Rules.

Supreme Court

For fees payable under the Supreme Court Fees Regulations 2003, click here.

Court of Appeal

For fees payable under the Court of Appeal Fees Regulations 2001, click here.

High Court

For fees payable under the High Court Fees Regulations 2001, click here.

For the fee payable under the Administration (Fee) Regulations 1997, click here.

For fees payable under the Property Law (Mortgagees Sales) Regulations 1983, click here.

For fees payable under the Admiralty (Fees) Order 1997, click here.

For fees payable under the Rating (Fees) Regulations 1997, click here.

For fees payable under the Sheriffs Fees Regulations 1988, click here.

District Courts

For fees payable under the District Courts Fees Regulations 2001, click here.

For the fee payable under the Land Valuation Proceedings Fees Regulations 1991, click here.

Family Court

For the fee payable under the Family Proceedings (Court Fee) Regulations 1998, click here. 

Disputes Tribunals

For fees payable under the Disputes Tribunals Rules 1989, click here.

Waiver, Refund and Postponement of Civil Fees

Registrars (and Deputy Registrars) have the power to waive, refund and/or postpone some civil court fees, upon application, in limited circumstances.

The civil fees that might be waived, refunded or postponed are all those prescribed in:

• Supreme Court Fees Regulations 2003
• The Court of Appeal Fees Regulations 2001
• The High Court Fees Regulations 2001
• The Sheriffs' Fees Regulations (for fees paid on or after 1 July 2004)
• The District Courts Fees Regulations 2001
• Summary Instalment Orders (District Courts) Rules 1970 (for fees paid on or after 1 July 2004)
• Customs and Excise Regulations 1996 (for fees paid on or after 1 July 2004)

These fees can only be waived or refunded if either:

• Payment of the fee would cause undue financial hardship; or
• The proceeding concerns matters of genuine public interest and would not proceed if the fee was required.

Applications for Waiver, Refund and Postponement of Fees

Applications for waiver, refund and/or postponement of a court fee should be made on the relevant approved application form.

Where the applicant is an individual, who has been granted legal aid, is waiting on a decision in respect of an application for legal aid, is in receipt of a benefit or has previously been granted a fee waiver in respect of the same proceedings click here for the relevant form.

Where the applicant is an individual, who has not been granted legal aid, is not waiting on a decision in respect of an application for legal aid is not in receipt of a benefit or has not previously been granted a fee waiver in respect of the same proceedings click here for the relevant form. Full financial details must be provided with this application.

Where the applicant is an organisation or business, click here for the relevant form.

NOTE: (You will need acrobat reader to view these forms, and these cannot be completed or amended on screen. However, you can print the form and complete it by hand, as required. Acrobat reader can be downloaded for free here. Alternatively, application forms are available from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or your nearest High Court or District Court Registry.)

Review of Decisions

Persons not satisfied with a decision of a Registrar (or Deputy Registrar) in relation to an application to waive, refund or postpone a fee have the right to have that decision reviewed by a Judge or, in the case of the High Court, a Judge or Associate Judge.

Any request for such a review should be made on the application form provided. For a copy of the application for review form click here. (You will need acrobat reader to view this form, which cannot be completed or amended on screen.  However, you can print the form and complete it by hand, as required.  Acrobat reader can be downloaded for free here.  Alternatively, application for review forms are available from your nearest High Court or District Court Registry.)

Discussion Paper

The Ministry of Justice has published a discussion document "Equitable Fees in Civil Courts".