Guidance on fees, 2026
The initial fees due, on lodging the Petition should be paid by sending two cheques, one for £302.40 (£252.00 + VAT) payable to “FBC Manby Bowdler (Midlands) Limited”, for the fees due to the Registry and the other for £60.00 (no VAT) payable to “Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance”, for the fees due to the Chancellor.
The only exception to this fee is where there is a petition submitted for the interment of cremated remains in an existing family grave. In that instance a reduced fee of £60.00 is payable to “FBC Manby Bowdler (Midlands) Limited”.
In most cases these will be the only fees payable
Additional fees
However in some cases there will be additional fees payable which are prescribed in the Ecclesiastical Judges, Legal Officers and Others (Fees) Order 2025; this is a complex order to understand, but in summary the fees most usually applicable (including any VAT) are:
- If the Chancellor decides that he can decide the case on the basis of Written Representations, a further fee of £153.60 will be payable to “FBC Manby Bowdler (Midlands) Limited”. In addition, a fee £159.00 will be payable to the “Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance”.
- If the Chancellor decides on the basis of a review of the papers lodged that there should be a Hearing (whether in Open Court or not), then a fee of £154.80 is payable to “FBC Manby Bowdler (Midlands) Limited”; if instead the Chancellor holds a hearing to decide how to determine the case the fee payable will be £349.20. In addition, a fee £159.00 or £314.00 will be payable to the “Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance” (depending on whether a hearing is held). In practice, it is very rare for a hearing to be required for the purpose of deciding this issue.
- If at any point in the matter the Registrar gives directions in relation to the case on the basis of the papers lodged then a fee of £154.80 is payable to “FBC Manby Bowdler (Midlands) Limited”.
- If the Chancellor holds a Hearing to determine the Petition itself, (that is to say, not simply a directions hearing covered as above) then then a fee of £379.20 per half day or less, and £758.40 per day (for any hearing longer than half a day) is payable to “FBC Manby Bowdler (Midlands) Limited”. In addition, a fee £398.00 or £797.00 will be payable to the “Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance” (depending on the length of any hearing).
- If there is other work involved in the matter, then the Chancellor may direct that fees are payable to the Registry based on a rate of £211.20 per hour of time spent. We do not generally seek such payments unless the case is opposed or otherwise complex.
Summary - fees
- For an ordinary, unopposed matter, which is completed on the basis of the petition alone, without the need for any further representations, the fees are therefore £302.40 plus £60.00 (to the LDBF) (in all £362.40);
- For a matter, dealt with through written procedures, the fees are likely to be £456.00 plus £219.00 (to the LDBF) (in all £675.00);
- For a matter which is opposed, and proceeds to a half day hearing, but without any preliminary hearing, the minimum fee would be £836.40 plus £776.00 (to the LDBF) (in all, £1,612.40). However, on a more complex matter the fees are likely to be significantly higher. It is not possible to give fee estimates in advance.