court costs

n. fees for expenses that the courts pass on to attorneys, who then pass them on to their clients or, in some kinds of cases, to the losing party. Court costs usually include: filing fees, charges for serving summons and subpenas, court reporter charges for depositions (which can be very expensive), court transcripts, and copying papers and exhibits. The prevailing party in a law suit is usually awarded court costs. Attorneys' fees can be included as court costs only if there is a statute providing for attorneys fee awards in a particular type of case, or if the case involved a contract which had an attorneys' fee clause (commonly found in promissory notes, mortgages and deeds of trust). If a losing party does not agree with the claimed court costs (included in a filed cost bill) he/she/it may move (ask) the judge to "tax costs" (meaning reduce or disallow the cost), resulting in a hearing at which the court determines which costs to allow and in what amount (how much.) (See: cost bill, prevailing party)

References in periodicals archive ?

He was given a new restraining order, fined PS250 and ordered to pay PS100 court costs and a PS30 victim surcharge.

Man found carrying knives attacked detention officer

60 compensation, PS20 victim surcharge and PS85 court costs.

North Tyneside; COURTS IN BRIEF

He was ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work and to pay a PS60 victim surcharge and PS85 court costs.

BROUGHT TO JUSTICE

Mussie Belay, aged 35, of Rea Tower, Mosborough Crescent, Newtown, guilty of working while claiming jobseekers allowance, fined PS255, pay PS80 court costs and PS25 victim surcharge.

IN THE COURTS

Clinton, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, subsequent offense, dismissed upon payment of $100 in court costs.

Clinton District Court Log

As a result, the taxability of litigation proceeds and the deductibility of related legal fees and court costs have become somewhat clearer.

New rules, new ruling: the tax treatment of litigation proceeds and legal fees

The appeals court held that summary judgment was precluded by a genuine issue of fact as to whether the arrestee's constitutional rights were violated by the civil debt-related incarceration, where the county incarcerated him for failure to pay fines and court costs without any inquiry into his ability to pay.

Alkire v. Irving

He was banned from driving for 20 months, fined PS175 and ordered to pay PS135 court costs and a PS30 victim surcharge.

Man spared jail after breaking into city pub and stealing cash

Leominster, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, dismissed upon payment of $100 in court costs.

Court Log

She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of PS60 and PS85 court costs.

BROUGHT TO JUSTICE; The following cases were heard at Cardiff Magistrates' Court: