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FEES IN H.B.M. SUPREME COURT IN HONGKONG
RULES MADE BY THE CHIEF JUSTICES UNDER SECTION 24 OF THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE 1873 (No. 12 or 1873) FOR TAXING OF COSTS IN THE SUMMARY JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT
1. In the following Rules the expressions "exceeding" and "not exceeding" refer in the case of a plantiff to the amount recovered, and in the case of a Defendant to the amount claimed. 2. In actions or proceedings other than those for the recovery of money, and in actions where claims for the recovery of money are joined with other claims, the Judge, having regard to the value and nature of the subject matter of the action or proceeding, shall direct under which of the scales hereinafter set forth the costs (if any) shall be taxed,
3. Notwithstanding anything in these Rules to the contrary, the Judge, if of opinion that the action involved a novel or difficult point of law, or that the question litigated was of importance to some class or body of persons, or of general or public interest, may award costs under Scale III. to the Plaintiff on any amount recovered however small, or to the Defendant who successfully defends an action brought for any amount however small; and in actions other than those for the recovery of a debt or liquidated demand in money the Judge, if he shall think that the preparation or conduct of the case has involved unusual trouble or difficulty, or for other good cause shown, may, in awarding costs, direct that they shall be taxed on any scale higher thau that hereinafter made applicable.
4. Subject as aforesaid, no costs shall be allowed in actions not exceeding ten dollars, and in other actions costs shall be taxed and allowed in accordance with the following scales as well between solicitor and client as between party and party; Provided that where a client shall have paid or agreed to pay a sum of money for the conduct of any suit or proceeding, or has agreed to pay costs and charges beyond those provided for in these Rules, the taxing officer may, in his discretion, as between solicitor and client, allow any costs or charges not exceeding the amount which may have been paid or agreed to be paid.
5. Occasional costs shall only be allowed where from the nature of the case it was reasonable and necessary that they should be incurred.
6. In awarding the costs of any action or proceeding, the Judge may at the hearing, for good cause shown, disallow the costs of any particular matter in connection with such action or proceeding.
7. These Rules shall come into force on the 1st day of June, 1903, and shall apply only to actions and other proceedings brought and commenced on or after the said date.
SCALE I.
Actions exceeding $10, but not exceeding $50
$ cts.
$ cts.
1. Instructions for and preparing Summons, attending and entering 2 00 2. Each copy for service
0 50
•
3. Instructions to defend
...
4. Attending in Court and conducting case
2 5
00
00 to 20 00
5. Attending Court when Judgment entered by consent without
hearing
5 00
6. Costs of the day on adjournment of hearing (if certified by Judge) 5 00 7. Attending to hear Judgment
...
8. Taxing (including all costs connected therewith)
2 00 4 00
SCALE II.
Actions exceeding $50 but not exceeding $200
9. Letter before action
10. Instructions for, and preparing Summons, attending and entering 11. Each copy for service
12. Instructions to defend
13. Attending in Court if Counsel instructed, per day
2 00
00
0 50 200
10 00 to 20 00
0
30
no to 30 00
...
60 00
14. Drawing Brief for Counsel, per folio (if Counsel certified for by
Judge)
15. Attending in Court if Counsel not instructed, per day (of 5 hours) 15 16. Counsel (if certified for by Judge)
17. Refresher, after every 5 hours of hearing
...
18. Attending Court when Judgment entered by consent without
hearing
Judge)
19. Costs of the day on adjournment of hearing (if certified for by
20. Attending to hear Judgment
21. Taxing (including all costs connected therewith)
15 09 to 25 00
10 00
7733
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5 00
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