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<p>The Government set out its rationale for reforming the fees for grants of probate
in its response to consultation on the fees published on Friday 24 February.</p><p>
</p><p>The Government is committed to providing a modern, world-leading justice system
which is proportionate and accessible. The best way to protect access to justice is
with a properly funded courts and tribunals service.</p><p> </p><p>Fees are necessary
to support an effective courts and tribunals system that supports victims and vulnerable
people, and is easy for ordinary people to use. In 2015/16, the Government spent around
£1.9 billion on our courts and tribunals and recovered only around £700m through fees
and other income. We do not believe that the taxpayer should continue to meet all
of this cost.</p><p> </p><p>A key change will be the threshold under which no fee
is payable increasing from £5,000 to £50,000. More than half of estates in England
and Wales will pay no probate fees. The fees will be implemented on a banded structure,
increasing in line with estate values, meaning higher fees are paid by those who can
afford to do so. Over 90 per cent of estates will pay £1,000 or less for this service
and no one will pay more than 1 per cent of the total estate in fees.</p>
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