The court fee is a common reason claims get postponed "until better times". In reality there are more tools than people think.
Basic rules
For monetary claims it is a percentage of the claim value on a sliding scale. For non-monetary claims it is a fixed rate in base units. I check the exact rates against the law in force on the filing date.
Where you can save
- Combining claims. If there are several claims, sometimes a single claim value is cheaper than several separate ones.
- Deferral / instalments. Given justified financial difficulty, the court may grant a deferral of payment.
- Partial payment. In certain cases payment in parts before filing is allowed.
- Exemptions. The list of categories exempt from the fee changes — I check it for the specific case.
What to keep in mind
The fee is not always refundable. If the claim is granted in part, the fee is allocated proportionally. If the defendant satisfies the claim voluntarily after filing, you are entitled to a refund of part of the fee.