County Court Rules (Northern Ireland) 1981

This Table does not apply to actions for defamation.

Counsel travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Solicitor travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Where a solicitor or counsel has conducted more than one case on the same day at the same venue, this fee may be claimed once only and the fee shall be divided proportionately over the number of cases conducted by the solicitor or counsel.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00 for drafting a notice for particulars.

For drafting a reply to a notice for particulars, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum for drafting interrogatories as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For drafting answers to interrogatories, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For each day or part of a day on which a trial or hearing is continued after the first day a solicitor in attendance is entitled to an additional sum equivalent to 50% of solicitor’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate) not exceeding £600 and counsel is entitled to an additional sum of 50% of counsel’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate).

Where in any action or application under:the Consumer Credit Act 1974;Part IV of the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976;Part III of the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997;Part IV of the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995;Regulations 5 to 17 of the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, orthe Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005,the amount decreed exceeds £30,000, the costs may be increased by such amounts as the judge or district judge thinks proper having regard to the amount involved or the importance or difficulty of the case.

Where in any action or application under any of the statutory provisions listed in paragraph 6, the amount claimed exceeds £30,000 and the action or application is dismissed, the costs may be increased by such amounts as the judge or district judge thinks proper having regard to the amount involved or the importance or difficulty of the case.

Where the sum claimed is paid within 21 days of service of civil bill the sum for costs specified in column 2 to be reduced by 50%. See Order 55, Rule 14(1).

See Part IX (“Miscellaneous Costs”) of this Appendix for application of this Table to proceedings under Part VIII of the Judgments Enforcement (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and under the Hire Purchase Acts.

Where in any undefended action under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 the amount decreed exceeds £30,000, the costs may be increased by such amounts as the district judge thinks proper having regard to the amount involved or the importance or difficulty of the case, provided that the total amount allowed for costs shall not exceed as follows—£427 as from 13 February 2017; or£434 as from 13 February 2018.

Solicitor travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Where a solicitor has conducted more than one case on the same day at the same venue, this fee may be claimed once only and the fee shall be divided proportionately over the number of cases conducted by the solicitor.

Counsel travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Solicitor travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Where a solicitor or counsel has conducted more than one case on the same day at the same venue, this fee may be claimed once only and the fee shall be divided proportionately over the number of cases conducted by the solicitor, or counsel.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00 for drafting a notice for particulars.

For drafting a reply to a notice for particulars, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum for drafting interrogatories as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For drafting answers to interrogatories, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For each day or part of a day on which a trial or hearing is continued after the first day counsel and a solicitor in attendance is entitled to an additional sum equivalent to 50% of solicitor’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate) not exceeding £600 and counsel is entitled to an additional sum of 50% of counsel’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate).

Counsel travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Solicitor travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Where a solicitor or counsel has conducted more than one case on the same day at the same venue, this fee may be claimed once only and the fee shall be divided proportionately over the number of cases conducted by the solicitor or counsel.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00 for drafting a notice for particulars.

For drafting a reply to a notice for particulars, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum for drafting interrogatories as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For drafting answers to interrogatories, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.For each day or part of a day on which a trial or hearing is continued after the first day a solicitor in attendance is entitled to an additional sum equivalent to 50% of solicitor’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate) not exceeding £600 and counsel is entitled to an additional sum of 50% of counsel’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate).

Where a Chancery action is remitted the judge or district judge shall direct which costs tables shall apply having regard to the subject matter of the suit.

Counsel travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Solicitor travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Where a solicitor or counsel has conducted more than one case on the same day at the same venue, this fee may be claimed once only and the fee shall be divided proportionately over the number of cases conducted by the solicitor or counsel.

Where the amount decreed exceeds £30,000, the costs may be increased by such amounts as the judge or district judge thinks proper having regard to the amount involved or the importance or difficulty of the case.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00 for drafting a notice for particulars.

For drafting a reply to a notice for particulars, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum for drafting interrogatories as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For drafting answers to interrogatories, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For each day or part of a day on which a trial or hearing is continued after the first day a solicitor in attendance is entitled to an additional sum equivalent to 50% of solicitor’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate) not exceeding £600 and counsel is entitled to an additional sum of 50% of counsel’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate).

Where a Chancery action is remitted the judge or district judge shall direct which costs tables shall apply having regard to the subject matter of the suit.

Where the defendant complies with Order 8, Rule 6, he shall be entitled to claim as follows—£24.11 as from 13 February 2017;£24.77 as from 13 February 2018.

Counsel travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Solicitor travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Where a solicitor or counsel has conducted more than one case on the same day at the same venue, this fee may be claimed once only and the fee shall be divided proportionately over the number of cases conducted by the solicitor or counsel.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00 for drafting a notice for particulars.

For drafting a reply to a notice for particulars, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum for drafting interrogatories as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For drafting answers to interrogatories, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For each day or part of a day on which a trial or hearing is continued after the first day a solicitor in attendance is entitled to an additional sum equivalent to 50% of solicitor’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate) not exceeding £600 and counsel is entitled to an additional sum of 50% of counsel’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate).

See Order 55, Rule 14(1). Only 50% payable where defendant delivers up possession within 21 days of service of civil bill.

Counsel travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Solicitor travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Where a solicitor or counsel has conducted more than one case on the same day at the same venue, this fee may be claimed once only and the fee shall be divided proportionately over the number of cases conducted by the solicitor or counsel.

For each day or part of a day on which a trial or hearing is continued after the first day a solicitor in attendance is entitled to an additional sum equivalent to 50% of solicitor’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate) not exceeding £600 and counsel is entitled to an additional sum of 50% of counsel’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate).

Counsel travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Solicitor travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Where a solicitor or counsel has conducted more than one case on the same day at the same venue, this fee may be claimed once only and the fee shall be divided proportionately over the number of cases conducted by the solicitor or counsel.

For each day or part of a day on which a trial or hearing is continued after the first day a solicitor in attendance is entitled to an additional sum equivalent to 50% of solicitor’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate) not exceeding £600 and counsel is entitled to an additional sum of 50% of counsel’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate).

Counsel travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Solicitor travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Where a solicitor or counsel has conducted more than one case on the same day at the same venue, this fee may be claimed once only and the fee shall be divided proportionately over the number of cases conducted by the solicitor or counsel.

Where the judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00 for drafting a notice for particulars.

For drafting a reply to a notice for particulars, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum for drafting interrogatories as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For drafting answers to interrogatories, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For each day or part of a day on which a trial or hearing is continued after the first day a solicitor in attendance is entitled to an additional sum equivalent to 50% of solicitor’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate) not exceeding £600 and counsel is entitled to an additional sum of 50% of counsel’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate).

Counsel travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Solicitor travelling to attend a court—20 to 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £23.00;more than 50 miles from the solicitor’s office or, where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £46.00.Where a solicitor or counsel has conducted more than one case on the same day at the same venue, this fee may be claimed once only and the fee shall be divided proportionately over the number of cases conducted by the solicitor or counsel.

Where the judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00 for drafting a notice for particulars.

For drafting a reply to a notice for particulars, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum of £44.00.

Where the judge or district judge is satisfied that the issues in the case were of particular complexity he may certify that the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum for drafting interrogatories as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For drafting answers to interrogatories, the solicitor or counsel, as the case may be, is entitled to an additional sum as follows—£71.00 as from 13 February 2017; or£72.00 as from 13 February 2018.

For each day or part of a day on which a trial or hearing is continued after the first day a solicitor in attendance is entitled to an additional sum equivalent to 50% of solicitor’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate) no exceeding £600 and counsel is entitled to an additional sum of 50% of counsel’s scale fee on the amount claimed/decreed (as appropriate).

If claim is settled and attendance of applicant’s solicitor is not required at court for purpose of obtaining a decree, 85% only of costs in columns (2) and (3) are payable, unless the parties otherwise agree or the judge orders.

Where the respondent has before the hearing of an application in court made an unconditional offer in writing to pay a specified amount for compensation and the compensation awarded by the judge does not exceed such amount, only 50% of the costs in columns (2) and (3) are payable. Such written offer must be served on the applicant in accordance with section 24 of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 not less than fourteen days before the commencement of the actual hearing by the judge. The amount specified in the offer shall not be communicated to the judge until after he has determined the amount awarded.

Where the case is of exceptional complexity or difficulty, and in any event, taking into account the role of counsel and the nature and content of the proceedings, the judge may certify an amount exceeding scale figure.

Where the judge considers that it was proper for the applicant to instruct senior as well as junior counsel, he may certify counsel’s fees and solicitor’s costs in such sum as he considers appropriate.

Where the amount awarded exceeds £10,000, the judge shall, unless the parties otherwise agree, certify the amount for solicitor’s costs and the amount allowed for counsel’s fees.

Where an appeal is dismissed, the judge may order the appellant to pay the Secretary of State an amount for his solicitor’s costs or counsel’s fees.

Where he does so, that amount shall, in default of agreement, be such as the judge may determine, whether equal to or less than the costs actually incurred or the fees paid by the Secretary of State in resisting the appeal.

Where an appeal is dismissed, the judge may order the appellant to pay to the Secretary of State an amount for his solicitor’s costs or counsel’s fee.

Where he does so, that amount shall, in default of agreement, be such as the judge may determine, whether equal to or less than the costs actually incurred or the fees paid by the Secretary of State in resisting the appeal.