Our work
Our work is split into three sections. Neither the administrative staff nor the Costs Judges are able to give legal advice, however, assistance and guidance can be given in appropriate circumstances as to general office practice.
Issue and Cost Officers Section
Telephone: 020 7947 7818/6755/6789/6404
Fax: 020 7947 6344
This section is where our public counter is situated which is open to customers between 9:30am and 4:30pm.
The section is responsible for:-
- Taking payments. (We are only able to accept cheque payments. If you would like to make a payment by cash you are required to attend the Fees Office in the main building of the RCJ.)
- Issuing Legal Aid and inter-party bills
- Issuing Notices of Provisional Assessment
- Issuing Default Costs Certificates
- Appointment Notices
- Case handling of Costs Officers’ cases
- Issuing Legal Aid Assessment Certificates (EX80A)
- Issuing Interim and Final Costs Certificates
Costs Judges Section
Telephone: 020 7947 6505/6468/6651/6605
Fax: 020 7947 6247
The clerks in the Costs Judges Section are each allocated Masters and are responsible for assisting in the handling of those cases referred to their Masters.
The clerks are responsible for:-
- Case handling of Costs Judges’ cases
- Appointment Notices
- Issuing Notices of Provisional Assessment
- Issuing Application Notices
- Creating and updating the SCCO causelist for publication on the HMCS website
- Issuing Interim and Final Costs Certificates
- Issuing and Case Management of Costs Appeals
A Master is nominated each day as Sitting Master to deal with applications in matters not yet assigned to other Masters and is available (via his clerk) to give guidance on points of practice to any litigants or solicitors seeking his help.
This section also gives administrative support to those Costs Judges dealing with criminal appeals by barristers and solicitors from decisions of Crown Court Determining Officers and Determining Officers in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
Court of Protection Section
Telephone: 020 7947 6469/6920
Fax: 020 7947 6344
The Court of Protection Costs Section assesses bills lodged by court appointed deputies in respect of costs incurred in managing the welfare, property and financial affairs of people who lack the capacity to make decisions for themselves.
Assessments are mainly carried out by costs officers, supported by administrative staff.