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The Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Revision) 1980

Type Ni-Statutory-Rule

Publication 1980-10-01

Last updated 2025-07-11

State In force

Jurisdiction Northern Ireland

Department Government Printer for Northern Ireland

Source legislation.gov.uk

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articles 1

Reform history JSON API

(1) Subject to the provisions of this rule, every notice of appeal must be served under rule 3(4) within the following period (calculated from the date on which the judgment or order of the court below was filed), that is to say:—

(a) in the case of an appeal from an interlocutory order or from a judgment or order given or made under Order 14 or Order 86, 21 days;

(b) in the case of an appeal from an order or decision made or given in the matter of the winding up of a company, or in the matter of any proceedings under the Bankruptcy Acts (Northern Ireland) 1857 to 1980, 21 days;

(2) Where a summons to vary or discharge a certificate and the further consideration of an action are heard together, and an order is made on both, notice of appeal in respect of the order made on the summons may be served at any time before the expiration of the period within which notice of appeal could be served in respect of the order made on further consideration.

(3) In the case of an appeal from a decision in respect of which a certificate bas been granted under section 12 of the Administration of Justice Act 1969⁴⁹ the period referred to in paragraph (1) shall be calculated from the end of the time during which, in accordance with section 13(5) of that Act, no appeal lies to the Court of Appeal.

[E.r. 4]

Setting down appeal

5

(1) The appellant must, within 7 days after service of the notice of appeal, or within such further time as the Master (Queen's Bench and Appeals) may allow, enter the appeal for hearing by lodging in the Central Office

(a) 2 copies of the notice of appeal, of which one copy must be duly stamped and endorsed with particulars of service;

(b) a copy of the judgment or order of the court below.

(2) Upon the appeal being entered it shall be listed for hearing not earlier than the date named in the notice or appeal, unless an earlier date is fixed at the request and with the written consent of both the appellant and the respondent.

Respondent's notice

6

(1) A respondent who, having been served with a notice of appeal, desires—

(a) to contend on the appeal that the decision of the court below should be varied, either in any event or in the event of the appeal being allowed in whole or in part, or

(b) to contend that the decision of the court below should be affirmed on grounds other than those relied upon by that court, or

must give notice to that effect, specifying the grounds of his contention and, in a case to which paragraph (a) or (c) relates, the precise form of the order which he proposes to ask the Court to make.

(2) Except with the leave of the Court of Appeal, a respondent shall not be entitled on the hearing of the appeal to apply for any relief not specified in a notice under paragraph (1) or to rely, in support of any contention, upon any ground which has not been specified in such a notice or relief upon by the court below.

(3) Any notice given by a respondent under this rule (in this Order referred to as a "respondent's notice") must be served on the appellant, and on all parties to the proceedings in the court below who are directly affected by the contentions of the respondent, and must be served—

(a) where the notice of appeal related to an interlocutory order, within 7 days, and

(b) in any other case, within 21 days,

after the service of the notice of appeal on the respondent.

(4) A party by whom a respondent's notice is given must, within 2 days after service of the notice, furnish two copies of the notice to the proper officer in the Central Office;

[E.r. 6]

Amendment of notice of appeal and respondent's notice

7

A notice of appeal or respondent's notice may be amended by or with the leave of the Court of Appeal, at any time.

[E.r. 7]

Directions of the Court as to service

8

(1) The Court of Appeal may in any case direct that a notice of appeal or respondent's notice be served on any party to the proceedings in the court below on whom it has not been served, or on any person not party to those proceedings.

(2) The Court of Appeal may in any case where it gives a direction under this rule—

(a) postpone or adjourn the hearing of the appeal for such period and on such terms as may be just, and

(b) give such judgment and make such order on the appeal as might have been given or made if the persons served in pursuance of the direction had originally been parties.

[E.r. 8]

Documents to be lodged by appellant

9

(1) Not less than 7 days before the appeal is likely to be listed for hearing the appellant must cause to be lodged in the Central Office the number of copies for which paragraph (2) provides of each of the following documents, namely—

(a) the notice of appeal;

(b) the respondent's notice;

(d) the pleadings (including particulars), if any, and, in the case of an appeal in an Admiralty cause or matter, the preliminary acts, if any;

(e) the transcript of the official shorthand note, if any, of the judgment or order of the court below or, in the absence of such a note, the judge's note of his reasons for giving the judgment or making the order;

(f) such parts of the transcript of the official shorthand note, if any, of the evidence given in the court below as are relevant to any question at issue on the appeal or, in the absence of such a note, such parts of the judge's note of the evidence as are relevant to any such question;

(g) any list of exhibits made under Order 35, rule 8, or the schedule of evidence, as the case may be;

(h) such affidavits, exhibits, or parts of exhibits, as were in evidence in the court below and as are relevant to any question at issue on the appeal.

(2) The number of copies to be lodged in accordance with paragraph (1) is three unless the Master directs a different number.

[E.r. 9]

General powers of the Court

10

(1) In relation to an appeal the Court of Appeal shall have all the powers and duties as to amendment and otherwise of the High Court including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing words, the powers of the Court under order 36 to refer any question or issue of fact for trial before, or inquiry and report by, a master or referee.

(2) The Court of Appeal shall have power to receive further evidence on questions of fact, either by oral examination in court, by affidavit, or by deposition taken in accordance with Order 39 but, in the case of an appeal from a judgment after trial or hearing of any cause or matter on the merits, no such further evidence (other than evidence as to matters which have occurred after the date of the trial or hearing) shall be admitted except on special grounds.

(3) The Court of Appeal shall have power to draw inferences of fact and to give any judgment and make any order which ought to have been given or made, and to make such further or other order as the case may require.

(4) The powers of the Court of Appeal under the foregoing provisions of this rule may be exercised notwithstanding that no notice of appeal or respondent's notice has been given in respect of any particular part of the decision of the court below or by any particular party to the proceedings in that court, or that any ground for allowing the appeal or for affirming or varying the decision of that court is not specified in such a notice; and the Court of Appeal may make any order, on such terms as the Court thinks just, to ensure the determination on the merits of the real question in controversy between the parties.

(5) The Court of Appeal may, in special circumstances,, order that such security shall be given for the costs of an appeal as may be just.

(6) The powers of the Court of Appeal in respect of an appeal shall not be restricted by reason of any interlocutory order from which there has been no appeal.

(7) Documents impounded by order of the Court of Appeal shall not be delivered out of the custody of that Court except in compliance with an order of that Court :

Provided that where the Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions, makes a written request in that behalf, documents so impounded shall be delivered into his custody.

(8) Documents impounded by order of the Court of Appeal, while in the custody of that Court, shall not be inspected except by a person authorised to do so by an order of that Court.

[E.r. 10]

Powers of the Court as to new trials

11

(1) On the hearing of any appeal the Court of Appeal may, if it thinks fit, make any such order as could be made in pursuance of an application for a new trial or to set aside a verdict, finding or judgment of the court below.

(2) The Court of Appeal shall not be bound to order a new trial on the ground of misdirection, or of the improper admission or rejection of evidence, or because the verdict of the jury was not taken upon a question which the judge at the trial was not asked to leave to them, unless in the opinion, of the Court of Appeal some substantial wrong or miscarriage has been thereby occasioned.

(3) A new trial may be ordered on any question without interfering with the finding or decision on any other question; and if it appears to the Court of Appeal that any such wrong or miscarriage as is mentioned in paragraph (2) affects part only of the matter in controversy, or one or some only of the parties, the Court may order a new trial as to that part only, or as to that party or those parties only, and give final judgment as to the remainder.

(4) In any case where the Court of Appeal has power to order a new trial on the ground that damages awarded by a jury are excessive or inadequate, the Court may, in lieu of ordering a new trial—

(a) with the consent of all parties concerned, substitute for the sum awarded by the jury such sum as appears to the Court to be proper;

(b) with the consent of the party entitled to receive or liable to pay the damages, as the case may be, reduce or increase the sum awarded by the jury by such amount as appears to the Court to be proper in respect of any distinct head of damages erroneously included in or excluded from the sum so awarded;

but except as aforesaid the Court of Appeal shall not have power to reduce or increase the damages awarded by a jury.

(5) A new trial shall not be ordered by reason of the ruling of any judge that a document is sufficiently stamped or does not require to be stamped.

[E.r. 11]

Evidence on appeal

12

Where any question of fact is involved in an appeal, the evidence taken in the court below bearing on the question shall, subject to any direction of the Court of Appeal, be brought before that Court as follows :—

(a) in the case of evidence taken by affidavit, by the production of printed copies of such of the affidavits as have been printed, and office copies of such of them as have not been printed;

(b) in the case of evidence given orally, by a copy of so much of the transcript of the official shorthand note as is relevant or by a copy of the judge's note, where he has intimated that in the event of an appeal his note will be sufficient, or by such other means as the Court of Appeal may direct.

[E.r. 12]

Stay of enforcement, etc.

13

(1) Except so far as the court below or the Court of Appeal may otherwise direct—

(a) an appeal shall not operate as a stay of enforcement or of proceedings under the decision of the court below;

(b) no intermediate act or proceeding shall be invalidated by an appeal.

(2) On an appeal from the High Court, interest for such time as enforcement has been delayed by the appeal shall be allowed unless the Court otherwise orders.

[E.r. 13]

Applications to Court of Appeal

14

(1) Every application to the Court of Appeal shall be by motion, and the provisions of Order 8 shall apply thereto.

(2) Any application to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal (other than an application made after the expiration of the time for appealing) must be made ex parte in the first instance; but unless the application is then dismissed or it appears to that Court that undue hardship would be caused by an adjournment, the Court shall adjourn the application and give directions for the service of notice thereof on the party or parties affected.

(3) Where an ex parte application has been refused by the court below, an application for a similar purpose may be made to the Court of Appeal ex parte within 7 days after the date of the refusal.

(4) Wherever under these Rules an application may be made either to the court below or to the Court of Appeal, it shall not be made in the first instance to the Court of Appeal, except where there are special circumstances which make it impossible or impracticable to apply to the court below.

[E.r. 14]

Extension of time

15

Without prejudice to the power of the Court of Appeal under Order 3, rule 5, to extend the time prescribed by any provision of this Order, the period for serving notice of appeal under rule 4 or for making application ex parte under rule 14(3) may be extended by the court below on application made before the expiration of that period.

[E.r. 15]

SPECIAL PROVISIONS AS TO PARTICULAR APPEALS

Appeal relating to validity of a law

16

Every appeal under section 35(5) of the Act shall be brought by giving notice of appeal in accordance with rule 3 and every such appeal shall be deemed to be an appeal from a judgment in an action and the rules of this Order shall apply accordingly.

Appeal against order for revocation of patent

17

(1) The following provisions of this rule shall apply to any appeal to the Court of Appeal from an order for the revocation of a patent.

(2) The notice of appeal must be served on the Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (in this rule referred to as “the Comptroller”) as well as on the party or parties required to be served under rule 3.

(3) If, at any time before the appeal comes on for hearing, the respondent decides not to appear on the appeal or not to oppose it, he must forthwith serve notice of his decision on the Comptroller and the appellant, and any such notice served on the Comptroller must be accompanied by a copy of the petition or of the pleadings in the action and the affidavits filed therein.

(4) The Comptroller must, within 14 days after receiving notice of the respondent's decision, serve on the appellant a notice stating whether or not he intends to appear on the appeal.

(5) The Comptroller may appear and be heard in opposition to the appeal

(a) in any case where he has given notice under paragraph (4) of his intention to appeal, and

(b) in any other case (including, in particular, a case where the respondent withdraws his opposition to the appeal during the hearing) if the Court of Appeal so directs or allows.

(6) The Court of Appeal may make such orders for the postponement or adjournment of the hearing of the appeal as may appear to the Court necessary for the purpose of giving effect to the foregoing provisions of this rule.

Appeals in cases of contempt of court

18

In the case of an appeal to the Court of Appeal under section 44 of the Act, the notice of appeal must be served on the proper officer of the court from whose order or decision the appeal is brought, as well as on the party or parties required to be served under rule 3.

ORDER 52 — COMMITTAL

Appeal to be brought by motion

1

An appeal to the Court of Appeal from the Restrictive Practices Court under the Restrictive Practices Court Act 1976⁵⁰ must be brought by motion, and the notice of the motion must state the question of law on which the appeal is brought and the appellant's contentions thereon.

[E.r. 1]

Service of notice of motion

2

(1) Within 21 days after the appellant receives a copy of the judgment constituting the case stated by the Restrictive Practices Court he must serve the notice of motion and a copy of the judgment on every other party to the proceedings before that Court and must serve the notice of motion on the proper officer of that Court.

(2) Where the appellant applies to the said Court for the Court's judgment to be amplified or amended—

(a) he shall be deemed for the purpose of paragraph (1) to have received a copy of the judgment on the date on which he receives a copy of the order made on his application, and

(b) the judgment constituting the case stated shall be the judgment with such amplifications or amendments, if any, as may be specified in that order.

[E.r. 2]

Entry, etc. of appeal

3

(1) Within 7 days after service of the notice of motion, the appellant must lodge the judgment constituting the case and two copies of the notice with the proper officer of the Court of Appeal who shall enter the appeal in the appropriate list; and the appeal shall not be heard until after the expiration of 21 days from the date of entry.

(2) The proper officer of the Court of Appeal shall notify the proper officer of the Restrictive Practices Court of the decision of the Court of Appeal on the appeal and of any directions given by the Court of Appeal thereon.

[E.r. 3]

Powers of Court of Appeal

4

The Court of Appeal shall have power to draw inferences of fact from the facts set forth in the judgment of the Restrictive Practices Court constituting the case.

[E.r. 4]

ORDER 61 — APPEALS FROM COURTS, TRIBUNALS, ETC., TO THE COURT OF APPEAL BY CASE STATED

Proceedings on case stated

1

(1) Subject to any statutory provision, the party (hereinafter called “the applicant”) at whose instance a case has been stated by a court, tribunal or person on a point of law for the opinion of the Court of Appeal must, within 14 days after receiving it—

(a) enter the appeal for hearing by lodging the case stated with a duly stamped requisition for hearing in the Central Office;

(b) serve upon every other party to the appeal a copy of the case stated with the date of such entry endorsed thereon.

(2) Where a case may be stated for the opinion of the Court of Appeal under any statutory provision and in so far as it makes no provision as to the procedure for stating and sending the case to the applicant, then—

(a) the requisition to state the case must be lodged with the court, tribunal or person within 6 weeks commencing on the day the decision complained of was sent to the applicant; and

(b) the case must be settled by the court, tribunal or person and sent to the applicant within a period of 6 weeks commencing on the day the requisition was received.

Appeal books

2

The applicant must within 14 days after entering an appeal for hearing lodge in the Central Office 3 appeal books (unless the Master directs a different number) containing the following documents, namely—

(a) the requisition to state a case;

(b) the case stated;

(d) any other documents which may be relevant to the appeal.

Withdrawal of case stated

3

(1) The applicant or any other person having carriage of the appeal may at any time before the date fixed for hearing apply to the Court of Appeal by motion to withdraw the appeal.

(2) On the hearing of an application to withdraw an appeal any other party may apply to proceed with the appeal in the place of the applicant.

Application for order to state case

4

An application to the Court of Appeal or a judge thereof for an order directing a court or tribunal to state a case must be made by motion within a period of 14 days commencing on the date of the refusal or failure of the court or tribunal to state the case.

Application to High Court to state case

5

(1) An application under Article 62 of the County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980⁵¹, to the High Court to state a case for, the opinion of the Court of Appeal upon a point of law arising on an appeal shall be made by lodging a requisition into the Central Office within a period of 24 days commencing on the date on which the decision was given and the requisition shall be served on the other party.

(2) The requisition shall specify the point of law upon which the applicant wishes to have the opinion of the Court of Appeal.

(3) The proper officer shall inform the parties of the result of the application.

Judge to settle case stated

6

(1) A case stated under Article 62 of the said Order shall, after such reference to the parties as he may think desirable, be settled by the judge who shall transmit the case stated to the applicant through the Central Office.

(2) The applicant on receipt of the case stated shall enter it for hearing in accordance with rule 1.

Signing of case stated

7

A case stated by a tribunal must be signed by the chairman or president of the tribunal and a case stated by any other person must be signed by him or by a person authorised in that behalf to do so.

Copies of orders

8

The proper officer shall send a copy of any final order made under this Order to the court or tribunal concerned in the decision.

ORDER 62 — COSTS

PRELIMINARY

Interpretation

1

(1) In this Order—

“certificate” includes allocatur;

“contentious business” and non-contentious business" have the same meanings respectively as in the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976⁵²;

“costs” includes fees, charges, disbursements, expenses and remuneration;

“the Court” means the High Court, the Court of Appeal or any one or more judges thereof, whether sitting in court or in chambers, or any master;

“taxed costs” means costs taxed in accordance with this Order;

“Taxing Master” means the Master (Taxing Office).

(2) In this Order reference to a fund, being a fund out of which costs are to be paid or which is held by a trustee or personal representative, include references to any estate or property, whether real or personal, held for the benefit of any person or class of persons; and references to a fund held by a trustee or personal representative include references to any fund to which he is entitled (whether alone or together with any other person) in that capacity, whether the fund is for the time being in his possession or not.

[E.r. 1]

Application

2

(1) This Order shall have effect—

(a) subject to the provisions contained in any statutory provision passed subsequent to the Act and to the provisions of any other statutory provision save in so far as such last mentioned provisions are inconsistent with the rules of this Order;

(b) in relation to all civil proceedings in the High Court and Court of Appeal;

(c) in relation to all criminal proceedings in the Queen's Bench Division or Court of Appeal other than trial at bar in the Queen's Bench Division of an indictment or inquisition or the trial of an information filed ex officio by the Attorney General.

(2) Where by virtue of any statutory provision the costs of or accidental to any proceedings before an arbitrator or umpire or before a tribunal or other body constituted by or under any statutory provision, not being proceedings in the Supreme Court, are taxable in the High Court, the following provisions of this Order, that is to say, rule 7(4) and (5), rule 8(6), rules 14(1) and 15, rule 16(1), rule 17, rule 20 (except paragraph (3)), rules 21 to 25 and rules 35 to 37, shall have effect in relation to proceedings for taxation of those costs as they have effect in relation to proceedings for taxation of the costs of or arising out of the proceedings in the Supreme Court.

(3) This Order shall have effect subject to rules 29 and 30 (which limit the costs recoverable in relation to certain proceedings.

(4) The powers and discretion of the Court as to costs under section 59 of the Act (which provides, subject as therein, that the costs of and incidental to all proceedings in the High Court and the Court of Appeal shall be in the discretion of the Court) shall be exercised subject to and in accordance with these Rules.

[E.r. 2]

ENTITLEMENT TO COSTS

When costs follow the event

3

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Order, no party shall be entitled to recover any costs of or incidental to any proceedings from any other party to the proceedings except under an order of the Court.

(2) If the Court in the exercise of its discretion sees fit to make any order as to the costs of or incidental to any proceedings, the Court shall, subject to this Order, order the costs to follow the event, except when it appears to the Court that in the circumstances of the case some other order should be made as to the whole or any part of the costs.

(3) The costs of and occasioned by any amendment made without leave in the writ of summons or any pleading shall be borne by the party making the amendment, unless the Court otherwise orders.

(4) The costs of and occasioned by any application to extend the time fixed by these rules, or any direction or order thereunder, for serving or filing any document or doing any other act (including the costs of any order made on the application) shall be borne by the party making the application, unless the Court otherwise orders.

(5) If a party on whom a notice to admit facts is served under Order 27, rule 2 refuses or neglects to admit the facts within 7 days after the service on him of the notice or such longer time as may be allowed by the Court, the costs of proving the facts shall be paid by him, unless the Court otherwise orders.

(6) If a party—

(a) on whom a list of documents is served in pursuance of any provision of Order 24, or

(b) on whom a notice to admit documents is served under Order 27, rule 5, gives notice of non-admission of any of the documents in accordance with Order 27, rule 4(2) or 5(2), as the case may be, the costs of proving that document shall be paid by him, unless the Court otherwise orders.

(7) Where a defendant by notice in writing and without leave discontinues his counterclaim against any party or withdraws arty particular claim made by him therein against any party, that party shall, unless the Court otherwise directs, be entitled to his costs of the counterclaim or his costs occasioned by the claim withdrawn, as the case may be, incurred to the time of receipt of the notice of discontinuance or withdrawal.

(8) Where a plaintiff accepts money paid into court by a defendant who counterclaimed against him, then, if the notice of payment given by that defendant stated that he had taken into account and satisfied the cause of action or, as the case may be, all the causes of action in respect of which he counterclaimed, that defendant shall, unless the Court otherwise directs, be entitled to his costs of the counterclaim incurred to the time of receipt of the notice of acceptance by the plaintiff of the money paid into court.

(9) Where any person claiming to be a creditor—

(a) seeks to establish his claim to a debt under any judgment or order in accordance with Order 44, or

(b) comes in to prove his title, debt or claim in relation to a company in pursuance of any such notice as is mentioned in Order 102, rule 12,

he shall, if his claim succeeds, be entitled to his costs incurred in establishing it, unless the Court otherwise directs, and, if his claim or any part of it fails, may be ordered to pay the costs of any person incurred in opposing it.

(10) Where a claimant is entitled to costs under paragraph (9), the amount of the costs shall be fixed by the Court unless it thinks fit to direct taxation and the amount fixed or allowed shall be added to the claimant's debt.

(11) Where a claimant (other than a person claiming to be a creditor), having established a claim to be entitled under a judgment or order in accordance with Order 44, has been served with notice of the judgment or order pursuant to rule 3 or 15 of that Order, he shall, if he enters an appearance, be entitled as part of his costs of action (if allowed) to costs incurred in establishing his claim, unless the Court otherwise directs; and where such a claimant fails to establish his claim or any part of it he may be ordered to pay the costs of any person incurred in opposing it.

(12) Where an application is made in accordance with Order 24, rule 8, or Order 29, rule 8, for an order under section 21 of the Administration of Justice Act 1969⁵³ or section 31 or 32 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970⁵⁴, the person against whom the order is sought shall be entitled, unless the Court otherwise directs, to his costs of and incidental to the application and of complying with any order made thereon and he may, after giving the applicant 7 days' notice of his intention to do so, tax such costs and if they are not paid within 4 days after taxation, enter judgment for them.

(13) Subject to the Act, when issues in fact and law are raised upon a claim or counterclaim, the costs of the several issues respectively, both in law and fact, shall follow the event, unless the Court otherwise orders.

(14) Unless the Court shall otherwise direct, in any action on any judgment which might be registered under the Judgments Extension Act 1868⁵⁵ in Northern Ireland the party bringing such action shall not be entitled to recover any costs.

[E.r. 3]

Stage of proceedings at which costs to be dealt with

4

(1) Costs may be dealt with by the Court at any stage of the proceedings or after the conclusion of the proceedings; and any order of the Court for the payment of any costs may, if the Court thinks fit, and the person against whom the order is made is not an assisted person, require the costs to be paid forthwith notwithstanding that the proceedings have not been concluded.

(2) In the case of an appeal the costs of the proceedings giving rise to the appeal, as well as the costs of the appeal and of the proceedings connected with it, may be dealt with by the Court hearing the appeal; and in the case of any proceedings removed to the High Court from any other court, the costs, of the whole proceedings, both before and after the removal, may subject to any order of the court ordering the removal) be dealt with by the Court to which the proceedings are removed.

(3) Where under paragraph (2) the Court makes an order as to the costs of any proceedings before another court, rules 27, 33 and 34 shall not apply in relation to those costs, but, except in relation to costs of proceedings removed from a county court, the order—

(a) shall specify the amount of the costs to be allowed, or

(b) shall direct that the costs shall be assessed by the court before which the proceedings took place or taxed by an officer of that court, or

(c) if the order is made on appeal from a county court in relation to proceedings in that court, may direct that the costs shall be taxed by the Taxing Master.

[E.r. 4]

Special matters to be taken into account in exercising discretion

5

The Court in exercising its discretion as to costs shall to such extent, if any, as may be appropriate in the circumstances, take into account—

(a) any such offer of contribution as is mentioned in Order 16, rule 10, which is brought to its attention in pursuance of a reserved right to do so;

(b) any payment of money into court and the amount of such payment.

[E.r. 5]

Restriction of discretion to order costs

6

(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Order or in section 59 of the Act—

(a) the costs of every action, question and issue tried by a jury shall, subject to the following provisions of this rule, follow the event, unless upon the application of any party the Court at the trial shall for special cause shown in the order otherwise direct; any such direction may be discharged or varied by the Court of Appeal;

(b) no order shall be made directing one party to pay to the other any costs of or incidental to an appeal or application for leave to appeal under section 6(2) of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act 1943⁵⁶;

(c) unless the Court is of opinion that there was no reasonable ground for opposing the will, no order shall be made for the costs of the other side to be paid by the party opposing a will in a probate action who has given notice with his defence to the party setting up the will that he merely insists upon the will being proved in solemn form of law and only intends to cross-examine the witnesses produced in support of the will;

(d) except in special circumstances, no order shall be made giving more than one set of costs among all the opponents of a petition or originating summons for extension of the term of a patent under section 23, 24 or 25 of the Patents Act 1949⁵⁷, if the Court refuses the prayer of the petition or the relief sought by the summons.

(2) Where a person is or has been a party to any proceedings in the capacity of trustee, personal representative or mortgagee, he shall, unless the Court otherwise orders, be entitled to the costs of those proceedings, in so far as they are not recovered from or paid by any other person, out of the fund held by the trustee or personal representative or the mortgaged property, as the case may be; and the Court may otherwise order only on the ground that the trustee, personal representative or mortgagee has acted unreasonably or, in the case of a trustee or personal representative, has in substance acted for his own benefit rather than for the benefit of the fund.

[E.r. 6]

Costs arising from misconduct or neglect

7

(1) Where in any cause or matter any thing is done or omission is made improperly or unnecessarily by or on behalf of a party, the Court may direct that any costs to that party in respect of it shall not be allowed to him and that any costs occasioned by it to other parties shall be paid by him to them.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the Court shall for the purpose of that paragraph have regard in particular to the following matters, that is to say—

(a) the omission to do any thing the doing of which would have been calculated to save costs;

(b) the doing of any thing calculated to occasion, or in a manner or at a time calculated to occasion, unnecessary costs;

(3) The Court may, instead of giving a direction under paragraph (1) in relation to, any thing done or omission made, direct the Taxing Master to inquire into it and, if it appears to him that such a direction as aforesaid should have been given in relation to it, to act as if the appropriate direction had been given.

(4) The Taxing Master shall, in relation to any thing done or omission made in the course of taxation and in relation to any failure to procure taxation, have the same power to disallow or to award costs as the Court has under paragraph (1) to direct that costs shall be disallowed to or paid by any party.

(5) Where a party entitled to costs fails to procure or fails to proceed with taxation, the Taxing Master in order to prevent any other parties being prejudiced by that failure, may allow the party so entitled a nominal or other sum for costs or may certify the failure and the costs of the other parties.

[E.r. 7]

Personal liability of solicitor for costs

8

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this rule, where in any proceedings costs are incurred improperly or without reasonable cause or are wasted by undue delay or by any other misconduct or default, the Court may make against any solicitor whom it considers to be responsible (whether personally or through a servant or agent) an order—

(a) disallowing the costs as between the solicitor and his client; and

(b) directing the solicitor to repay to his client costs which the client bas been ordered to pay to other parties to the proceedings; or

(2) No order under this rule shall be made against a solicitor unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity to appear before the Court and show cause why the order should not be made, except where any proceeding in court or in chambers cannot conveniently proceed, and fails or is adjourned without useful progress being made,—

(a) because of the failure of the solicitor to attend in person or by a proper representative; or

(b) because of the failure of the solicitor to deliver any document for the use of the Court which ought to have been delivered or to be prepared with any proper evidence or account or otherwise to proceed.

(3) Before making an order under this rule the Court may, if it thinks fit, refer the matter (except in the cases excepted from paragraph (2)) to the Taxing Master for inquiry and report and direct the solicitor in the first place to show cause before the Taxing Master.

(4) The Court may, if it thinks fit, direct or authorise the Official Solicitor to attend and take part in any proceedings or inquiry under this rule, and may make such order as it thinks fit as to the payment of his costs.

(5) The Court may direct that notice of any proceedings or order against a solicitor under this rule shall be given to his client in such manner as may be specified in the direction.

(6) Where in any proceedings before the Taxing Master the solicitor representing any party is guilty of neglect or delay or puts any other party to any unnecessary expense in relation to those proceedings, the Taxing Master may direct the solicitor to pay costs personally to any of the parties to those proceedings; and where any solicitor fails to leave his bill of costs (with the documents required by this Order) for taxation within the time fixed by or under this Order or otherwise delays or impedes the taxation, then, unless the Taxing Master otherwise directs, the solicitor shall not be allowed the fees to which he would otherwise be entitled for drawing the bill and for attending the taxation.

(7) If, on the taxation of costs to be paid out of a fund, other than the legal aid fund, one-sixth or more of the amount of the bill for those costs is taxed off, the solicitor whose bill it is shall not be allowed the fees to which he would otherwise be entitled for drawing his bill of costs and for attending the taxation.

(8) In any proceedings in which the party by whom the fees prescribed by the Orders as to Court fees are payable is represented by a solicitor, if the fees or any part of the fees payable under the said Orders are not paid as therein prescribed, the Court may, on the application of the official solicitor by summons, order the solicitor personally to pay that amount in the manner so prescribed and to pay the costs of the official solicitor of the application.

[E.r. 8]

Fractional or gross sum in place of taxed costs

9

(1) Subject to this Order, where by or under these rules or any order or direction of the Court costs are to be paid to any person, that person shall be entitled to his taxed costs.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to costs which by or under any order or direction of the Court—

(a) are to be paid to a receiver appointed by the High Court under section 91(1) of the Act in respect of his remuneration, disbursements or expenses; or

(b) are to be assessed or settled by any master;

but rules 27, 28, 33 and 34 shall apply in relation to such assessment or settlement of costs which are to be assessed or settled as aforesaid as they apply in relation to the taxation of costs by the Taxing Master.

(3) Where a writ in an action is indorsed in accordance with Order 6, rule 2(1)(b), and judgment is entered in default of appearance or of defence for the amount claimed for costs (whether alone or together with any other amount claimed), paragraph (1) of this rule shall not apply to those costs; but if the amount claimed for costs as aforesaid is paid in accordance with the indorsement (or is accepted by the plaintiff as if so paid) the defendant shall nevertheless be entitled to have those costs taxed.

(4) The Court in awarding costs to any person may direct that, instead of taxed costs, that person shall be entitled—

(a) to a proportion specified in the directon of the taxed costs or to the taxed costs from or up to a stage of the proceedings so specified; or

(b) to a gross sum so specified in lieu of taxed costs;

but where the person entitled to such a gross sum is a litigant in person, rule 28 shall apply with the necessary modifications to the assessment of the gross sum as it applies to the taxation of the costs of a litigant in person.

[E.rr. 9, 10]

When a party may enter judgment for costs without an order

10

(1) Where a plaintiff by notice in writing and without leave either wholly discontinues his action against any defendant or withdraws any particular claim made by him therein against any defendant, the defendant may tax his costs of the action or his costs occasioned by the matter withdrawn, as the case may be, and, if the taxed costs are not paid within 4 days after taxation, may enter judgment for them.

(2) If a plaintiff accepts money paid into court in satisfaction of the cause of action, or all the causes of action, in respect of which he claims, or if he accepts a sum or sums paid in respect of one or more specified causes of action and gives notice that he abandons the others, then subject to paragraph (4), he may, after 4 days from payment out and unless the Court otherwise orders, tax his costs incurred to the time of receipt of the notice of payment into court and 48 hours after taxation may enter judgment for his taxed costs.

(3) Where a plaintiff in an action for libel or slander against several defendants sued jointly accepts money paid into court by one of the defendants, he may, subject to paragraph (4), tax his costs and enter judgment for them against that defendant in accordance with paragraph (2).

(4) Where money paid into court in an action is accepted by the plaintiff after the trial or hearing has begun, the plaintiff shall not be entitled to tax his costs under paragraph (2) or (3).

[E.r. 10]

When order for taxation of costs not required

11

(1) Where an action, petition or summons is dismissed with costs, or a motion is refused with costs, or an order of the Court directs the payment of any costs, or any party is entitled Under rule 10 to tax his costs, no order directing the taxation of those costs need be made.

(2) Where a summons is taken out to set aside any proceeding on the ground of irregularity and the summons is dismissed but no direction is given as to costs, the summons is to be taken as having been dismissed with costs.

[E.r. 11]

Application for order for taxation under the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 or the Solicitors (Ireland) Act 1849

12

(1) An application under Article 66(1) of the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 or, subject to paragraph (2), an application under the Solicitors (Ireland) Act 1849⁵⁸ may be made by originating summons; and the Court may on such application, if the Court thinks fit, refer any bill of costs (the subject of such application) for taxation, with such directions and subject to such conditions as the Court may think proper.

(2) An application for an order under Article 66(2) of the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 or, subject to paragraph (3), an application for an order for delivery of a bill of costs and for the taxation thereof or for the taxation of a bill of costs already delivered under the Solicitors (Ireland) Act 1849 shall be made to the Taxing Master in accordance with the provisions of this rule.

(3) No application under the provisions of the Solicitors (Ireland) Act 1849 shall be made pursuant to paragraph (2) where—

(a) the retainer of the solicitor is disputed; or

(b) the bill of costs has been paid by the party chargeable therewith; or

(c) in any other case where special circumstances must be shown before an order for delivery of a bill of costs or for taxation of that bill or of any bill already delivered may be made.

(4) An application under paragraph (2) shall be in Form 1 or 2 in Appendix 5 to this Order and shall be served, together with an affidavit of facts, at least 4 clear days prior to the time specified therein for the hearing of the application.

(5) Where the bill of costs to which the application relates has already been delivered, a copy of that bill with the particulars of delivery to the person chargeable therewith indorsed thereon shall be lodged in the Supreme Court Taxing Office at the time the notice of the application is issued.

(6) Subject to any statutory provision, to any order or direction of the Court and to review under rules 35 to 37, the costs of all proceedings before the Taxing Master under this rule shall be in his discretion.

(7) The same proceedings as nearly as possible shall be had in relation to an appeal under Article 68(6) of the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 as on a review of a taxation pursuant to an order of the Court and, accordingly, the provisions of rules 35 to 37 shall apply.

POWERS OF TAXING MASTER

Powers of Taxing Master

13

(1) The Taxing Master shall have power to tax—

(a) the costs of or arising out of any cause or matter in the Supreme Court,

(b) the costs directed by an award made on a reference to arbitration under any statutory provision or pursuant to an arbitration agreement to be paid,

(d) any costs which are directed to be taxed or settled by the Taxing Master of the Supreme Court under any statutory provision.

(2) Where by or under any statutory provision or an order of the Court any costs are directed to be taxed or settled only the Taxing Master shall have power to tax or settle those costs.

[E.r. 12]

Supplementary powers of Taxing Master

14

(1) The Taxing Master may, in the discharge of his functions with respect to the taxation of costs—

(a) take an account of any dealings in money made in connection with the payment of the costs being taxed, if the Court so directs;

(b) require any party represented jointly with any other party in any proceedings before him to be separately represented;

(d) direct the production of any document which may be relevant in connection with those proceedings;

(e) request any master to transmit to him any books, papers or documents relating to the cause or matter and to certify any proceedings before such master the costs of which may be comprised in the bill of costs under taxation.

(2) Where the taxation of costs relates to a solicitor's bill of costs to his own client in respect of any contentious business, the Taxing Master shall ascertain the credits, if any, to which the client is entitled and for this purpose the solicitor shall, at the time of lodging his bill of costs for taxation, annex thereto or indorse thereon a certificate in the form prescribed by the Taxing Master, signed by him, showing what money has been received by him or his firm from any person and the manner in which such money has been dealt with.

[E.r. 14]

Extension, etc. of time

15

(1) The Taxing Master may—

(a) extend the period within which a party is required by or under this Order to begin proceedings for taxation or to do anything in or in connection with proceedings before him;

(b) where no period is specified by or under this Order or by the Court for the doing of anything in or in connection with such proceedings, specify the period within which the thing is to be done.

(2) Where an order of the Court specifies a period within which anything is to be done by or before the Taxing Master, then, unless the Court otherwise directs, the Taxing Master may from time to time extend the period so specified on such terms (if any) as he thinks just.

(3) The Taxing Master may extend any such period as is referred to in the foregoing provisions of this rule although the application for extension is not made until after the expiration of that period.

[E.r. 16]

Interim certificates

16

(1) The Taxing Master may from time to time in the course of the taxation of any costs by him issue an interim certificate for any part of those costs which has been taxed.

(2) If, in the course of the taxation of a solicitor's bill to his own client, it appears to the Taxing Master that in any event the solicitor will be liable in connection with that bill to pay money to the client, he may from time to time issue an interim certificate specifying an amount which in his opinion is payable by the solicitor to his client.

(3) Unless the amount specified in an interim certificate issued under paragraph (2) is paid within 4 days from the date of the certificate the party entitled to payment may take the same proceedings to enforce payment as if payment was to be made pursuant to a final certificate.

[E.r. 17]

Power of Taxing Master where party liable to be paid and to pay costs

17

Where a party entitled to be paid costs is also liable to pay costs, the Taxing Master may—

(a) tax the costs which that party is liable to pay and set off the amount allowed against the amount he is entitled to be paid and direct payment of any balance, or

(b) delay the issue of a certificate for the costs he is entitled to be paid until he has paid or tendered the amount he is liable to pay.

[E.r. 18]

Taxation of bill of costs comprised in account

18

(1) Where the Court directs an account to be taken and the account consists in part of a bill of costs, the Court may direct the Taxing Master to tax those costs and the Taxing Master shall tax the costs in accordance with the direction and shall return the bill of costs, after taxation thereof, together with his report thereon to the Court.

(2) The Taxing Master taxing a bill of costs in accordance with a direction under this rule shall have the same powers, and the same fees shall be payable in coIlection with the taxation, as if an order for taxation of the costs hap been made by the Court.

[E.r. 19]

Taxing Master to fix certain fees payable to conveyancing counsel, etc.

19

(1) Where the Court refers any matter to the conveyancing counsel of the Court or obtains the assistance of any other person under Order 32, rule 15, the fees payable to counsel or that other person in respect of the work done by him in connection with the reference or, as the case may be, in assisting the Court shall be fixed by the Taxing Master.

(2) An appeal from the decison of the Taxing Master under this rule shall lie to the Court, and the decision of the Court thereon shall be final.

[E.r. 20]

PROCEDURE ON TAXATION

Mode of beginning proceedings for taxation

20

(1) A party entitled to require any costs to be taxed must begin proceedings for the taxation of those costs by producing the requisite document and leaving a copy thereof at the Taxing Office.

(2) The requisite document for the purposes of this rule shall be ascertained in accordance with the provisions of Appendix 1 to this Order.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) where a party is entitled to require any costs to be taxed by virtue of—

(a) a judgment, direction or order given or made in proceedings in the Supreme Court, or

(b) rule 10,

he must begin proceedings for the taxation of those costs within 6 months after the judgment, direction or order was entered, signed or otherwise prefected or, as the case may be, within 6 months after service of the notice given to him under Order 21, rule 2 (where he is so entitled by virtue of rule 10(1)) or given by him under Order 22, rule 3 (where he is so entitled by virtue of rule 10(2) or (3)).

(4) In relation to the taxation of costs pursuant to an order under the Solicitors (Ireland) Act 1849 paragraph (3) Shall have effect as if for the period of 6 months first mentioned in that paragraph there were substituted a reference to 21 days.

(5) A party who begins proceedings for taxation must at the same time lodge in the Taxing Office :—

(a) a statement containing the following particulars, that is to say—

(i) the name of every party, and the capacity in which he is a party, to the proceedings, his position on the record of the proceedings which gave rise to the taxation proceedings, and, if any costs to which the taxation proceedings relate are to be paid out of a fund, the nature of his interest in the fund, and

(ii) the address of any party to the proceedings who appears in person and the name or firm and business address of the solicitor of any party who does not appear, and

(b) unless the Taxing Master otherwise directs, the bill of costs together with all necessary papers and vouchers.

[E.r. 21]

Notification of time appointed for taxation

21

(1) Where proceedings for taxation have been dilly begun in accordance with rule 20, then, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this rule and rule 23, the proper officer shall give to the party beginning the proceedings and to any other party entitled to be heard in the taxation proceedings, not less than 7 days' notice of the day and time appointed for taxation.

(2) A notice under this rule need not be given to any party who has not entered an appearance or taken any part in the proceedings which gave rise to the taxation proceedings :

Provided that this paragraph shall not apply where an order for the taxation of a solicitor's bill of costs made under rule 12 at the instance of the solicitor gave rise to the taxation proceedings.

[E.r. 22]

Delivery of bills, etc.

22

(1) Where a party has begun proceedings for taxation in accordance with rule 20, then, subject to rule 23, the proper officer shall as soon as practicable give notice to any other party whose costs are to be taxed in the proceedings of the period within which his bill of costs together with all necessary papers and vouchers are to be sent to the Taxing Master.

(2) A party whose costs are to be taxed in any taxation proceedings, except a solicitor whose costs are to be taxed by virtue of an order made under rule 12, must within 4 days after beginning the proceedings or, as the case may be, receiving notice under paragraph (1) send a copy of his bill of costs to every other party entitled to be heard in the proceedings unless that party has not entered an appearance or taken any part in the proceedings which gave rise to the taxation proceedings.

[E.r. 23]

Short and urgent taxation proceedings

23

(1) Where a party entitled to require taxation of any costs of or arising out of proceedings in the Supreme Court begins proceedings for the taxation of those costs in accordance with rule 20, then, if, when he begins such proceedings, he satisfies the proper officer—

(a) that, in view of the amount of any bill of costs to be taxed, the time required for taxation is likely to be short, and

(b) that the speedy completion of the taxation is necessary in the interests of any person concerned in the taxation,

the proper officer shall enter the proceedings for taxation in a list kept for the purposes of this rule and shall forthwith give notice of the day and time appointed for taxation to the party whose costs are to be taxed.

(2) A party whose costs are to be taxed in proceedings entered for taxation in the list referred to in paragraph (1) must, subject to paragraph (3), not less than 2 days before the day appointed for taxation send a copy of his bill of costs to every other party entitled to be heard in the proceedings with a notice of the day and time appointed for taxation.

(3) A notice under paragraph (2) need not be given to any party who has not entered an appearance or taken any part in the proceedings which gave rise to the taxation proceedings.

[E.r. 24]

Provisions as to bills of costs

24

(1) In any solicitor's bill of costs the professional charges and the disbursements must be entered in separate columns and every column must be cast before the bill is left for taxation.

(2) Before a solicitor's bill of costs is left for taxation it must be endorsed with the name or firm and business address of the solicitor whose bill it is.

[E.r. 25]

Provisions as to taxation proceedings

25

(1) If any party entitled to be heard in any taxation proceedings does not attend within a reasonable time after the time appointed for the taxation, the Taxing Master, if satisfied by affidavit or otherwise that the party had due notice of the time appointed, may proceed with the taxation.

(2) The Taxing Master may, if he thinks necessary to do so; adjourn any taxation proceedings from time to time.

[E.r. 26]

Powers of Taxing Master taxing costs payable out of fund

26

(1) Where any costs are to be paid out of a fund the Taxing Master may give directions as to the parties who are entitled to attend on the taxation of those costs and may disallow the costs of attendance of any party not entitled to attend by virtue of the directions and whose attendance he considers unnecessary.

(2) Where the Court has directed that a bill of costs be taxed for the purpose of being paid out of a fund the Taxing Master may, if he thinks fit, adjourn the taxation for a reasonable period and direct the party whose bill it is to send to any person having an interest in the fund a copy of the bill, or of any part thereof, free of charge together with a letter containing the following information, that is to say—

(a) that the bill of costs, a copy of which or of part of which is sent with the letter, has been referred to the Taxing Master for taxation;

(b) the time appointed by the Taxing Master at which the taxation will be continued; and

[E.r. 27]

ASSESSMENT OF COSTS

Costs payable to one party by another or out of a fund

27

(1) This rule applies to costs which by or under these Rules or any order or direction of the Court are to be paid to a party to any proceedings either by another party to those proceedings or out of any fund (other than a fund which the party to whom the costs are to be paid holds as trustee or personal representative) and shall have effect subject to rule 28.

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this rule, costs to which this rule applies shall be taxed on the party and party basis, and on a taxation on that basis there shall be allowed all such costs as were necessary or proper for the attainment of justice or for enforcing or defending the rights of the party whose costs are being taxed.

(3) Subject to paragraph (6) the Court in awarding costs to which this rule applies may in any case in which it thinks fit to do so order or direct that the costs shall be taxed on the common fund basis.

(4) On a taxation on the common fund basis, being a more generous basis than that provided for by paragraph (2), there shall be allowed a reasonable amount in respect of all costs reasonably incurred, and paragraph (2) shall not apply; and accordingly in all cases where costs are to be taxed on the common fund basis the ordinary rules applicable on a taxation as between solicitor and client where the costs are to be paid out of a common fund in which the client and others are interested shall be applied, whether or not the costs are in fact to be so paid.

(5) The Court in awarding costs to which this rule applies to any person may if it thinks fit and if:—

(a) the costs are to be paid out of a fund, or

(b) the person to whom the costs are to be paid is or was a party to the proceedings in the capacity of trustee or personal representative,

order or direct that the costs shall be taxed as if that person were a trustee of the fund or as if the costs were to be paid out of a fund held by that person, as the case may be, and where the Court so orders or directs rule 33(2) shall have effect in relation to the taxation in substitution for paragraph (2) of this rule.

(6) Paragraph (3) shall riot apply to any proceeding for the recovery of a penalty.

[E.r. 28]

Costs of a litigant in person

28

(1) On a taxation of the costs of a litigant in person there may, subject to the provisions of this rule, be allowed such costs as would have been allowed if the work and disbursements to which the costs relate had been done or made by a solicitor on the litigant's behalf.

(2) The amount allowed in respect of any item shall be such sum as the Taxing Master thinks fit not exceeding, except in the case of a disbursement, two-thirds of the sum which in the opinion of the Taxing Master would have been allowed in respect of that item if the litigant had been represented by a solicitor.

(3) Where in the opinion of the Taxing Master the litigant has not suffered any pecuniary loss in doing any work to which the costs relate, he shall not be allowed in respect of the time reasonably spent by him on the work more than £2 an hour.

(4) A litigant who is allowed costs in respect of attending court to conduct his own case shall not be entitled to a witness allowance in addition.

(5) Nothing in Order 6, rule 2(b), or rule 34(4) or Appendix 3 to this Order shall apply to the costs of a litigant in person.

(6) For the purposes of this rule a litigant in person does not include a litigant who is a practising solicitor.

[E.r. 28A]

Limitations on the amount of costs recoverable where proceedings could have been brought in the county court

29

(1) This rule applies to costs which by or under these Rules are to be taxed in accordance with the provisions of rule 27(2).

(2) Subject to the provisions of any statutory provision and save in cases within Order 14 or rule 34(5), in any proceedings which were commenced in the High Court but which, having regard to the subject matter thereof, to the amount recovered or relief awarded, could have been brought in the county court the plaintiff shall not be entitled to any more costs than those which he could have recovered if the proceedings had been brought in the county court unless the parties otherwise agree or, by reason of the question of law or issues of fact involved or the extent of the right to property affected or the full amount of the claim or other circumstances, the judge shall otherwise direct.

(3) In cases to which paragraph (2) applies where the full amount of the claim exceeds the amount which could have been claimed in proceedings brought in the county court, the plaintiff shall, unless the judge otherwise directs, and without prejudice to any direction under paragraph (2), be entitled to recover one-half of his costs.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2) the full amount of the claim shall be deemed to be the amount quantified by the Court for which judgment could have been entered if the Court had not made any deduction in respect of the claimant's own fault.

(5) Where a plaintiff is entitled to costs on a county court scale only, the Taxing Master shall have the same discretion to allow any item of costs as the judge of the county court would have had if the action had been brought in that court.

(6) The provisions of this rule shall not apply where any defendant has successfully opposed the remittal of the proceedings to the county court which was sought or concurred in by the plaintiff.

Further limitations on the amount of costs recoverable

30

(1) Where in pursuance of any direction by the Court draft documents are settled by any counsel appointed by the Court the costs of having those draft documents prepared or subsequently settled by other counsel on behalf of the same parties for whom such draft documents are settled by the counsel appointed by the Court shall not be allowed.

(2) In any action for libel where the jury shall give damages under £2 the plaintiff shall not be entitled to more costs than damages.

(3) Unless the Court otherwise directs the plaintiff who brings more than one action upon a negotiable instrument shall not be entitled to recover more than one half of his costs in such second or subsequent action.

(4) In any action for words spoken under the Slander of Women Act 1891⁵⁹ a plaintiff shall not recover more costs than damages unless the Court shall certify that there was reasonable ground for bringing the action.

(5) Paragraph (1) shall only apply to taxations pursuant to rule 27(2) and (4).

(6) Paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of this rule shall only apply to taxations pursuant to rule 27(2).

Costs payable to a solicitor by his own client

31

(1) On the taxation of a solicitor's bill to his own client (except a bill to be paid out of the legal aid fund under the Legal Aid and Advice Act (Northern Ireland) 1965⁶⁰, or a bill with respect to non-contentious business) all costs shall be allowed except in so far as they are of an unreasonable amount or have been unreasonably incurred.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), all costs incurred with the express or implied approval of the client shall, subject to paragraph (3), be conclusively presumed to have been reasonably incurred and, where the amount thereof has been expressly or impliedly approved by the client, to have been reasonable in amount.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1), any costs which in the circumstances of the case are of an unusual nature and such that they would not be allowed on a taxation of costs in a case to which rule 27(Z) applies shall, unless the solicitor expressly informed his client before they were incurred that they might not be so allowed, be presumed, until the contrary is shown, to have been unreasonably incurred.

(4) In paragraphs (2) and (3) the references to the client shall be construed—

(a) if the client was at the material time incapable by reason of mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1961⁶¹ of managing and administering his property and affairs and represented by a person acting as guardian ad litem or next friend, as references to that person acting, where necessary, with the authority of the authority having jurisdiction under that Act;

(b) if the client was at the material time an infant and represented by a person acting as guardian ad litem or next friend, as references to that person.

[E.r. 29]

Costs payable to solicitor where money recovered by or on behalf of minor, etc.

32

(1) This rule applies to—

(a) any proceedings in which money is claimed or recovered by or on behalf of, or adjudged or ordered or agreed to be paid to, or for the benefit of, a person who is a minor or incapable, by reason of mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1961 of managing or administering his property and affairs or in which money paid into court is accepted by or on behalf of such a person, and

(b) any proceedings under the Fatal Accidents (Northern Ireland) Order 1977⁶² in which money is recovered by or on behalf of, or adjudged or ordered or agreed to be paid to, or for the benefit of, the widow of the person whose death gave rise to the proceedings in satisfaction of a claim under the said Order or in which money paid into court is accepted by her on her behalf in satisfaction of such a claim, if the proceedings were for the benefit also of a person who, when the money is recovered, or adjusted or ordered or agreed to be paid, or accepted, is a minor, and

(c) any proceedings in the Court of Appeal on an application or appeal made in connection with any proceedings to which this rule applies by virtue of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph.

(2) Unless the Court otherwise directs the costs payable to his solicitor by any plaintiff in any proceedings to which this rule applies by virtue of paragraph (1)(a) or (b), being the costs of those proceedings or incidental to the claim therein or consequent thereon, shall be taxed under rule 31; and no costs shall be payable to the solicitor or any plaintiff in respect of those proceedings except such amount of costs as may be certified in accordance with this rule on the taxation under rule 31 of the solicitor's bill to that plaintiff.

(3) On the taxation under rule 31 of a solicitor's bill to any plaintiff in any proceedings to which this rule applies by virtue of paragraph 1(a) or (b) who is his own client, the Taxing Master shall also tax any costs payable to that plaintiff in those proceedings and shall certify—

(a) the amount allowed on the taxation under rule 31, the amount allowed on the taxation of any costs payable to that plaintiff in those proceedings and the amount (if any) by which the first-mentioned amount exceeds the other, and

(b) where necessary, the proportion of the amount of the excess payable respectively by, or out of money belonging to, any party to the proceedings who is a minor or incapable, by reason of mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1961, of managing and administering his property and affairs or the widow of the person whose death gave rise to the proceedings and any other party.

(4) Paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply in relation to any proceedings to which this rule applies by virtue Of paragraph (1)(c) as if for references to a plaintiff there were substituted references to the party, whether appellant or respondent, who was the plaintiff in the proceedings which gave rise to the first-mentioned proceedings.

(5) Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this rule shall prejudice a solicitor's lien for costs.

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