Litigants to be charged more for using the courts.

Under Government plans, a claimant or defendant will have to pay higher fees.

The bigger the claim, the higher the fees, up to a six-fold increase. Litigants will also pay according to how many days they are in court, so the case drags on they end up paying more.

The proposed massive fee rises for those using civil and commercial courts will send a damaging message that the UK regards wealthy litigants as a cash cow.

Court Fee increases of up to £20,000 come on top of fees that are already higher than New York.

An uncontested divorce fee would rise to £750.

In civil litigation, the proposal is a daily hearing fee of £1,000 or raising the cap on fees charged in a financial claim involving £300,000 to £15,000 and for a claim of £400,000 to £20,000.