2015 No. 261

Court Of Session

The Court of Session etc. Fees Order 2015

Made

Laid before the Scottish Parliament

Coming into force in accordance with article 1

The Scottish Ministers make the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 107(1) and (2) of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 20141 and all other powers enabling them to do so.

Citation, commencement and effect1

1

This Order may be cited as the Court of Session etc. Fees Order 2015 and, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), comes into force on 22nd September 2015.

2

Article 3(2)(b) and Schedule 2 come into force, and article 3(2)(a) and Schedule 1 cease to have effect, on 1st April 2016.

3

Article 3(2)(c) and Schedule 3 come into force, and article 3(2)(b) and Schedule 2 cease to have effect, on 1st April 2017.

Interpretation2

1

In this Order—

  • “Office of Court” has the same meaning as in Rule 3.1 of the Rules of Court;

  • “partner” means a person to whom a person is married, or with whom the person is registered as a civil partner in terms of sections 1(1), 85(1) or 137(1) of the Civil Partnership Act 20042;

  • “Rules of Court” mean the Rules of the Court of Session 19943;

  • “Table of Fees” means the Table of Fees in Schedule 1, 2 or 3 to this Order.

2

For the purposes of any reference in this Order to a party—

a

except in relation to a special case, a set of persons with the same interest, for whom one and the same first paper is or has been lodged, is to be treated as a single party; and

b

in relation to a special case, each person or set of persons who appear as one of the separate parties to the case is to be treated as a party.

Fees payable in the Court of Session etc.3

1

This Order makes provision for the fees payable in the Office of Court, the office of the Accountant of Court and the office of the Auditor of the Court of Session.

2

Subject to paragraph (4) and articles 4 to 6—

a

the fees payable in respect of the matters specified in column 1 of the Table of Fees in Schedule 1 (table of fees payable from 22nd September 2015) are the fees specified in relation to those matters in column 2 of that Table;

b

the fees payable in respect of the matters specified in column 1 of the Table of Fees in Schedule 2 (table of fees payable from 1st April 2016) are the fees specified in relation to those matters in column 2 of that Table; and

c

the fees payable in respect of the matters specified in column 1 of the Table of Fees in Schedule 3 (table of fees payable from 1st April 2017) are the fees specified in relation to those matters in column 2 of that Table.

3

The fees payable under this Order are to be paid—

a

in relation to the Office of Court, to the Principal Clerk of Session or any officer acting for the Principal Clerk of Session;

b

in relation to the office of the Accountant of Court, to the Accountant of Court or any officer acting for the Accountant of Court; and

c

in relation to the office of the Auditor of the Court of Session, to the Auditor of the Court of Session, or any officer acting for the Auditor of the Court of Session.

4

The fees provided for by this Order are not payable by the Crown in the enforcement of the criminal law or in the exercise of powers or the performance of duties arising out of or relating to that enforcement.

5

No act is required of any officer or person specified in paragraph (3) in connection with a matter specified in relation to any fee prior to—

a

the payment of that fee; or

b

an arrangement being entered into for payment of that fee.

Exemption of certain persons from fees4

1

A fee provided for by this Order is not payable by a person if paragraph (2) or (3) applies.

2

This paragraph applies where the person is a debtor in connection with any proceedings under the Debtors (Scotland) Act 19874.

3

This paragraph applies where—

a

the person or the person’s partner is in receipt of income support under the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 19925;

b

the person is in receipt of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance under the Jobseekers Act 19956;

c

the person is in receipt of universal credit under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 20127;

d

the person is in receipt of civil legal aid within the meaning of section 13(2) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 19868 in respect of the matter in the Table of Fees in connection with which the fee is payable;

e

the fee is payable in connection with a simplified divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership application and the person is in receipt of advice and assistance from a solicitor under the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 in respect of that application;

f

the person’s solicitor is undertaking work in relation to the matter in the Table of Fees in connection with which the fee is payable on the basis of any regulations made under section 36 of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 providing for legal aid in a matter of special urgency;

g

the person or the person’s partner is in receipt of guarantee credit under the State Pension Credit Act 20029;

h

the person or the person’s partner is in receipt of working tax credit, provided that—

i

child tax credit is being paid to the party, or otherwise following a claim for child tax credit made jointly by the members of a couple (as defined in section 3(5A) of the Tax Credits Act 200210) which includes the party; or

ii

there is a disability element or severe disability element (or both) to the tax credit received by the party;

and that the gross annual income taken into account for the calculation of the working tax credit is £16,642 or less; or

i

the person or the person’s partner is in receipt of income-related employment and support allowance under the Welfare Reform Act 200711.

Exemption of certain motions from fees5

1

This article applies to motions which are enrolled in the process of the cause or made orally at the bar in accordance with rule 23.2 of the Rules of Court (enrolment of motions).

2

The fees specified in items B21 and C17 of the Table of Fees are not payable in respect of motions which operate solely so as to activate further steps of procedure and any opposition to such motions.

3

Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (2) above, a motion which is exempt from the payment of fees includes a motion under any of the following rules of the Rules of Court—

a

rule 19.1 (decrees in absence);

b

rule 22.3(5)(a) (closing record);

c

rule 36.13 (death, disability, retiral, etc. of Lord Ordinary);

d

rules 37.1(2)(b), 37.1(6) and 37.1(7) (applications for jury trial);

e

rule 37.10 (application of verdicts); and

f

rule 38.17(1) (amendment of pleadings in reclaiming motion).

Calculation of certain fees payable6

1

Subject to article 5, the fees specified in items B21 and C17 of the Table of Fees are payable in addition to those fees which are specified in items B2, B6 and C5 of the Table of Fees.

2

The fees specified in items B21 and C17 of the Table of Fees are not payable in addition to those fees which are specified in items B9, B10 and B13 and C9 of the Table of Fees.

Revocations7

The instruments listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 4 are revoked to the extent described in column 3 of that table.

MICHAEL MATHESONA member of the Scottish GovernmentSt Andrew’s House,Edinburgh

SCHEDULE 1TABLE OF FEES

Article 3(2)(a)

Payable from 22nd September 2015

Column 1

(Matters)

Column 2

(Fee payable)

£

Column 3

(Fee formerly

Payable)12

£

PART I – FEES IN THE CENTRAL OFFICE OF THE COURT

A. SIGNETING

Signeting of any writ or summons if attendance is necessary outwith normal office hours.

123

118

B. GENERAL DEPARTMENT

1. Appeal, application for leave to appeal, summons, or other writ or step by which any cause or proceeding, other than a family action, is originated in either the Inner or Outer House (to include signeting in normal office hours).

210

202

2. Defences, answers or other writ (including a joint minute) or step in process or enrolment or opposition to a motion in a pending process by which a party other than an originating party first makes an appearance in a cause or proceeding, other than a family action.

210

202

3. Writ by which a family action is originated (other than a simplified divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership application) – inclusive fee (to include signeting within normal office hours and, if applicable, issue to the pursuer of an extract in terms of item G5(a) of this Table, and to the defender, if appropriate, a duplicate thereof).

163

157

4. Simplified divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership application (inclusive of all procedure other than that specified in item B5 of this Table).

123

118

Column 1

(Matters)

Column 2

(Fee payable)

£

Column 3

(Fee formerly

Payable)

£

5. In relation to a simplified divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership application, citation of any persons under rule 16.1(1)(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), as applied by rule 49.76, of the Rules of Court, or intimation to any person or persons under rule 16.1(1)(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), as applied by rule 49.76, of those Rules, where such intimation is required.

£11 plus messenger at arms fee to serve document

£11 plus messenger at arms fee to serve document

6. Defences, answers or other writ (including a joint minute) or step in process or enrolment of or opposition to a motion in a pending process by which a party other than an originating party first makes appearance in a family action.

163

157

7. Initial lodging of affidavits in a family action where proof by affidavit evidence has been allowed.

70

67

8. Special case—

for each party;

105

101

maximum fee payable (per case).

426

410

9. Application by minute or motion for variation of an order in a family action.

35

34

10. Answers or opposition to an application under item B9 of this Table.

35

34

11. Letter of request to a foreign court.

53

51

12. Citation of each jury, to include outlays incurred in citing and countermanding - payable on receipt of instruments for issue of precept.

292

281

13. Reclaiming motion - payable by party enrolling motion.

210

202

14. Closed record – payable by each party on the lodging of the closed record or, where no closed record is lodged, when mode of enquiry is determined.

105

101

15. Allowing proof, etc. - payable by each party on diet of proof, jury trial, procedure roll or summar roll hearing being allowed.

58

56

16. Court hearing (in normal hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing of a motion.

94

90

17. Court hearing (in normal hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing on the single bills.

234

225

18. Court hearing (out of hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

113

108

19. Court hearing (out of hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

281

270

20. Cancellation of court hearing before 3 or more judges, by a party or parties, within 28 days of court hearing date – fee payable is shared equally between the parties.

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

21. Fee payable by any party enrolling a motion or making a motion orally at the bar and any party opposing any such motion.

53

51

C. PETITION DEPARTMENT

1. Petition of whatever nature presented to the Inner or Outer House other than a petition under item C3 or C4 of this Table, whether in respect of the first or any subsequent step of process, and any application for registration or recognition of a judgment under the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 198213.

210

202

2. Additional fee payable when a petition in terms of item C1 of this Table is presented outwith normal office hours.

123

118

3. Petition to be admitted as a notary public—

for each applicant

158

152

4. Petition to be admitted as a solicitor—

for each applicant

158

152

5. Answers, objection or other writ (including a joint minute) or step in process or enrolment or opposition to a motion in a pending process by which a party other than an originating party first makes appearance in a proceeding to which item C1 of this Table applies.

210

202

6. Caveat.

47

45

7. No fee.

-

5114

8. Registering official copies of orders of courts in England and Wales or Northern Ireland.

18

17

9. Reclaiming motion – payable by party enrolling motion.

210

202

10. Closed record – payable by each party on the lodging of the closed record or, when no closed record is lodged, when mode of enquiry is determined.

105

101

11. Allowing proof, etc. – payable by each party on diet of proof, procedure roll, summar roll or judicial review hearing being allowed.

58

56

12. Court hearing (in normal hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing of a motion.

94

90

13. Court hearing (in normal hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing on the single bills.

234

225

14. Court hearing (out of hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

113

108

15. Court hearing (out of hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

281

270

16. Cancellation of court hearing before 3 or more judges, by a party or parties, within 28 days of court hearing date – fee payable is shared equally between parties.

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

17. Fee payable by any party enrolling a motion or making a motion orally at the bar and any party opposing any such motion.

53

51

18. Lodging of notice of appointment or intention to appoint an administrator out of court under the Insolvency Act 198615.

210

202

D. COURT FOR HEARING APPEALS RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS

Appeal – inclusive fee.

210

202

E. ELECTION COURT

1. Parliamentary election petition.

210

202

2. Statement of matters.

18

17

3. Any other petition, application, answers or objections submitted to the court.

53

51

4. Certificate of judgment.

53

51

F. LANDS VALUATION APPEAL COURT

1. Appeal - inclusive fee.

210

202

2. Answers - inclusive fee.

210

202

G. EXTRACTS DEPARTMENT

1. Extract decree following upon a summons, petition or appeal, or after protestation of a note, whether in absence or otherwise.

58

56

2. Extract of admission as a solicitor.

53

51

3. Extract of protestation.

53

51

4. Certificate under the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982.

53

51

5. Documentation evidencing divorce, nullity or dissolution of marriage or civil partnership including—

29

2816

  1. a

    extract from Consistorial Register of Decrees of decree pronounced on or after 23rd September 1975 if not issued in terms of item B3 or B4 of this Table;

  1. a

    certificate of divorce in decree pronounced prior to 23rd September 1975;

  1. a

    certified copy interlocutor in decree pronounced prior to 23rd September 1975.

6. Extract from the Register of Acts and Decrees – per sheet or part thereof.

29

28

7. Sealing and certifying any document for exhibition in a foreign jurisdiction or otherwise.

29

28

8. Acknowledgement of receipt of a notice under section 19(6) or 21(2) of the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 197017.

53

51

PART II – FEES IN THE OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT OF COURT

H. OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT OF COURT

I. In Factories

1. Registering case and receiving and delivering up bond of caution.

22

21

2. Examining factor’s inventory – 0.333% of the value of the estate as disclosed

  1. a

    minimum fee payable;

29

28

  1. a

    maximum fee payable.

707

680

3. Auditing each account, based on estate value—

  1. a

    £0 - £30,000;

110

106

  1. a

    £30,001 - £50,000;

221

212

  1. a

    £50,001 - £250,000;

551

530

  1. a

    £250,001 - £500,000;

828

796

  1. a

    £500,001 and above.

1,104

1,061

4. Reporting with regard to discharge, special powers, other special matters, surplus estate or scheme of division.

55

53

5. For certificate under seal.

17

16

II. In Consignations

6. Lodging consignation.

31

30

7. Producing or delivering up consignation, based on consignation value—

  1. a

    consignation value £0 - £50 and less than 7 years since lodged;

No charge

No charge

  1. a

    consignation value over £51 and less than 7 years since lodged;

31

30

  1. a

    consignation value £0 - £70 and over 7 years since lodged;

No charge

No charge

  1. a

    consignation value over £71 and over 7 years since lodged.

52

50

PART III – FEES IN THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR OF THE COURT OF SESSION

I. OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR OF THE COURT OF SESSION

1. Taxing accounts of expenses incurred in judicial proceedings (including proceedings in the High Court of Justiciary) remitted to the Auditor of the Court of Session for taxation—

  1. a

    on lodging account for taxation;

42

39

  1. a

    taxing accounts for expenses etc.

  1. i

    up to £400;

20

20

  1. i

    for every additional £100 or part thereof.

5

5

Note: fee to be determined by the Auditor of the Court of Session on amount of account as submitted.

2. Fee for assessing account remitted to the Auditor to determine whether an additional fee should be paid.

281

270

3. Fee for cancellation of diet of taxation—

  1. a

    where written notice of cancellation received from receiving party after 4.00 pm on the fourth working day before the day of the diet of taxation;

50% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

50% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

  1. a

    where written notice of cancellation received from receiving party after 4.00 pm on the second working day before the day of the diet of taxation.

75% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

75% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

PART IV – FEES COMMON TO ALL OFFICES

J. MISCELLANEOUS

1. Certified copy of proceedings for appeal to the Supreme Court.

210

202

2. Certifying of any other document (plus copying charges if necessary).

18

17

3. Recording, extracting, engrossing or copying- all documents (exclusive of search fee)—

  1. a

    copying of each document, up to 10 pages;

6

5

  1. a

    copying of each further page or part thereof;

0.50

0.50

  1. a

    copying of each document in electronic form.

6

5

4. Any search of records or archives, per 30 minutes or part thereof.

11

-18

In addition, correspondence fee where applicable.

11

11

5. Captions—

  1. a

    marking caption when ordered;

11

11

  1. a

    warrant for caption when issued.

11

11

6. Change of party name where more than 10 cases are registered – per case.

2

2

SCHEDULE 2TABLE OF FEES

Article 3(2)(b)

Payable from 1st April 2016

Column 1

(Matters)

Column 2

(Fee payable)

£

Column 3

(Fee formerly

Payable)19

£

PART I – FEES IN THE CENTRAL OFFICE OF THE COURT

A. SIGNETING

Signeting of any writ or summons if attendance is necessary outwith normal office hours.

125

123

B. GENERAL DEPARTMENT

1. Appeal, application for leave to appeal, summons, or other writ or step by which any cause or proceeding, other than a family action, is originated in either the Inner or Outer House (to include signeting in normal office hours).

214

210

2. Defences, answers or other writ (including a joint minute) or step in process or enrolment or opposition to a motion in a pending process by which a party other than an originating party first makes an appearance in a cause or proceeding, other than a family action.

214

210

3. Writ by which a family action is originated (other than a simplified divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership application) – inclusive fee (to include signeting within normal office hours and, if applicable, issue to the pursuer of an extract in terms of item G5(a) of this Table, and to the defender, if appropriate, a duplicate thereof).

166

163

4. Simplified divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership application (inclusive of all procedure other than that specified in item B5 of this Table).

125

123

Column 1

(Matters)

Column 2

(Fee payable)

£

Column 3

(Fee formerly

Payable)

£

5. In relation to a simplified divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership application, citation of any persons under rule 16.1(1)(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), as applied by rule 49.76, of the Rules of Court, or intimation to any person or persons under rule 16.1(1)(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), as applied by rule 49.76, of those Rules, where such intimation is required.

£12 plus messenger at arms fee to serve document

£11 plus messenger at arms fee to serve document

6. Defences, answers or other writ (including a joint minute) or step in process or enrolment of or opposition to a motion in a pending process by which a party other than an originating party first makes appearance in a family action.

166

163

7. Initial lodging of affidavits in a family action where proof by affidavit evidence has been allowed.

71

70

8. Special case—

for each party;

107

105

maximum fee payable (per case).

435

426

9. Application by minute or motion for variation of an order in a family action.

36

35

10. Answers or opposition to an application under item B9 of this Table.

36

35

11. Letter of request to a foreign court.

54

53

12. Citation of each jury, to include outlays incurred in citing and countermanding - payable on receipt of instruments for issue of precept.

298

292

13. Reclaiming motion - payable by party enrolling motion.

214

210

14. Closed record – payable by each party on the lodging of the closed record or, where no closed record is lodged, when mode of enquiry is determined.

107

105

15. Allowing proof, etc. - payable by each party on diet of proof, jury trial, procedure roll or summar roll hearing being allowed.

59

58

16. Court hearing (in normal hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing of a motion.

96

94

17. Court hearing (in normal hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing on the single bills.

239

234

18. Court hearing (out of hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

115

113

19. Court hearing (out of hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

287

281

20. Cancellation of court hearing before 3 or more judges, by a party or parties, within 28 days of court hearing date – fee payable is shared equally between the parties.

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

21. Fee payable by any party enrolling a motion or making a motion orally at the bar and any party opposing any such motion.

54

53

C. PETITION DEPARTMENT

1. Petition of whatever nature presented to the Inner or Outer House other than a petition under item C3 or C4 of this Table, whether in respect of the first or any subsequent step of process, and any application for registration or recognition of a judgment under the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982.

214

210

2. Additional fee payable when a petition in terms of item C1 of this Table is presented outwith normal office hours.

125

123

3. Petition to be admitted as a notary public—

for each applicant

161

158

4. Petition to be admitted as a solicitor—

for each applicant

161

158

5. Answers, objection or other writ (including a joint minute) or step in process or enrolment or opposition to a motion in a pending process by which a party other than an originating party first makes appearance in a proceeding to which item C1 of this Table applies.

214

210

6. Caveat.

48

47

7. No fee.

-

-

8. Registering official copies of orders of courts in England and Wales or Northern Ireland.

18

18

9. Reclaiming motion – payable by party enrolling motion.

214

210

10. Closed record – payable by each party on the lodging of the closed record or, when no closed record is lodged, when mode of enquiry is determined.

107

105

11. Allowing proof, etc. – payable by each party on diet of proof, procedure roll, summar roll or judicial review hearing being allowed.

59

58

12. Court hearing (in normal hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing of a motion.

96

94

13. Court hearing (in normal hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing on the single bills.

239

234

14. Court hearing (out of hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

115

113

15. Court hearing (out of hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

287

281

16. Cancellation of court hearing before 3 or more judges, by a party or parties, within 28 days of court hearing date – fee payable is shared equally between parties.

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

17. Fee payable by any party enrolling a motion or making a motion orally at the bar and any party opposing any such motion.

54

53

18. Lodging of notice of appointment or intention to appoint an administrator out of court under the Insolvency Act 198620.

214

210

D. COURT FOR HEARING APPEALS RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS

Appeal – inclusive fee.

214

210

E. ELECTION COURT

1. Parliamentary election petition.

214

210

2. Statement of matters.

18

18

3. Any other petition, application, answers or objections submitted to the court.

54

53

4. Certificate of judgment.

54

53

F. LANDS VALUATION APPEAL COURT

1. Appeal - inclusive fee.

214

210

2. Answers - inclusive fee.

214

210

G. EXTRACTS DEPARTMENT

1. Extract decree following upon a summons, petition or appeal, or after protestation of a note, whether in absence or otherwise.

59

58

2. Extract of admission as a solicitor.

54

53

3. Extract of protestation.

54

53

4. Certificate under the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982.

54

53

5. Documentation evidencing divorce, nullity or dissolution of marriage or civil partnership including—

30

29

  1. a

    extract from Consistorial Register of Decrees of decree pronounced on or after 23rd September 1975 if not issued in terms of item B3 or B4 of this Table;

  1. a

    certificate of divorce in decree pronounced prior to 23rd September 1975;

  1. a

    certified copy interlocutor in decree pronounced prior to 23rd September 1975.

6. Extract from the Register of Acts and Decrees – per sheet or part thereof.

30

29

7. Sealing and certifying any document for exhibition in a foreign jurisdiction or otherwise.

30

29

8. Acknowledgement of receipt of a notice under section 19(6) or 21(2) of the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970.

54

53

PART II – FEES IN THE OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT OF COURT

H. OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT OF COURT

I. In Factories

1. Registering case and receiving and delivering up bond of caution.

22

22

2. Examining factor’s inventory – 0.333% of the value of the estate as disclosed

  1. a

    minimum fee payable;

30

29

  1. a

    maximum fee payable.

721

707

3. Auditing each account, based on estate value—

  1. a

    £0 - £30,000;

112

110

  1. a

    £30,001 - £50,000;

225

221

  1. a

    £50,001 - £250,000;

562

551

  1. a

    £250,001 - £500,000;

845

828

  1. a

    £500,001 and above.

1,126

1,104

4. Reporting with regard to discharge, special powers, other special matters, surplus estate or scheme of division.

56

55

5. For certificate under seal.

17

17

II. In Consignations

6. Lodging consignation.

32

31

7. Producing or delivering up consignation, based on consignation value—

  1. a

    consignation value £0 - £50 and less than 7 years since lodged;

No charge

No charge

  1. a

    consignation value over £51 and less than 7 years since lodged;

32

31

  1. a

    consignation value £0 - £70 and over 7 years since lodged;

No charge

No charge

  1. a

    consignation value over £71 and over 7 years since lodged.

53

52

PART III – FEES IN THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR OF THE COURT OF SESSION

I. OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR OF THE COURT OF SESSION

1. Taxing accounts of expenses incurred in judicial proceedings (including proceedings in the High Court of Justiciary) remitted to the Auditor of the Court of Session for taxation—

  1. a

    on lodging account for taxation;

43

42

  1. a

    taxing accounts for expenses etc.

  1. i

    up to £400;

20

20

  1. i

    for every additional £100 or part thereof.

5

5

Note: fee to be determined by the Auditor of the Court of Session on amount of account as submitted.

2. Fee for assessing account remitted to the Auditor to determine whether an additional fee should be paid.

287

281

3. Fee for cancellation of diet of taxation—

  1. a

    where written notice of cancellation received from receiving party after 4.00 pm on the fourth working day before the day of the diet of taxation;

50% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

50% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

  1. a

    where written notice of cancellation received from receiving party after 4.00 pm on the second working day before the day of the diet of taxation.

75% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

75% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

PART IV – FEES COMMON TO ALL OFFICES

J. MISCELLANEOUS

1. Certified copy of proceedings for appeal to the Supreme Court.

214

210

2. Certifying of any other document (plus copying charges if necessary).

18

18

3. Recording, extracting, engrossing or copying- all documents (exclusive of search fee)—

  1. a

    copying of each document, up to 10 pages;

6

6

  1. a

    copying of each further page or part thereof;

0.50

0.50

  1. a

    copying of each document in electronic form.

6

6

4. Any search of records or archives, per 30 minutes or part thereof.

12

11

In addition, correspondence fee where applicable.

12

11

5. Captions—

  1. a

    marking caption when ordered;

12

11

  1. a

    warrant for caption when issued.

12

11

6. Change of party name where more than 10 cases are registered – per case.

2

2

SCHEDULE 3TABLE OF FEES

Article 3(2)(c)

Payable from 1st April 2017

Column 1

(Matters)

Column 2

(Fee payable)

£

Column 3

(Fee formerly

Payable)21

£

PART I – FEES IN THE CENTRAL OFFICE OF THE COURT

A. SIGNETING

Signeting of any writ or summons if attendance is necessary outwith normal office hours.

127

125

B. GENERAL DEPARTMENT

1. Appeal, application for leave to appeal, summons, or other writ or step by which any cause or proceeding, other than a family action, is originated in either the Inner or Outer House (to include signeting in normal office hours).

218

214

2. Defences, answers or other writ (including a joint minute) or step in process or enrolment or opposition to a motion in a pending process by which a party other than an originating party first makes an appearance in a cause or proceeding, other than a family action.

218

214

3. Writ by which a family action is originated (other than a simplified divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership application) – inclusive fee (to include signeting within normal office hours and, if applicable, issue to the pursuer of an extract in terms of item G5(a) of this Table, and to the defender, if appropriate, a duplicate thereof).

169

166

4. Simplified divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership application (inclusive of all procedure other than that specified in item B5 of this Table).

127

125

Column 1

(Matters)

Column 2

(Fee payable)

£

Column 3

(Fee formerly

Payable)

£

5. In relation to a simplified divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership application, citation of any persons under rule 16.1(1)(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), as applied by rule 49.76, of the Rules of Court, or intimation to any person or persons under rule 16.1(1)(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), as applied by rule 49.76, of those Rules, where such intimation is required.

£12 plus messenger at arms fee to serve document

£12 plus messenger at arms fee to serve document

6. Defences, answers or other writ (including a joint minute) or step in process or enrolment of or opposition to a motion in a pending process by which a party other than an originating party first makes appearance in a family action.

169

166

7. Initial lodging of affidavits in a family action where proof by affidavit evidence has been allowed.

72

71

8. Special case—

for each party;

109

107

maximum fee payable (per case).

444

435

9. Application by minute or motion for variation of an order in a family action.

37

36

10. Answers or opposition to an application under item B9 of this Table.

37

36

11. Letter of request to a foreign court.

55

54

12. Citation of each jury, to include outlays incurred in citing and countermanding - payable on receipt of instruments for issue of precept.

304

298

13. Reclaiming motion - payable by party enrolling motion.

218

214

14. Closed record – payable by each party on the lodging of the closed record or, where no closed record is lodged, when mode of enquiry is determined.

109

107

15. Allowing proof, etc. - payable by each party on diet of proof, jury trial, procedure roll or summar roll hearing being allowed.

60

59

16. Court hearing (in normal hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing of a motion.

98

96

17. Court hearing (in normal hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing on the single bills.

244

239

18. Court hearing (out of hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

117

115

19. Court hearing (out of hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

293

287

20. Cancellation of court hearing before 3 or more judges, by a party or parties, within 28 days of court hearing date – fee payable is shared equally between the parties.

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

21. Fee payable by any party enrolling a motion or making a motion orally at the bar and any party opposing any such motion.

55

54

C. PETITION DEPARTMENT

1. Petition of whatever nature presented to the Inner or Outer House other than a petition under item C3 or C4 of this Table, whether in respect of the first or any subsequent step of process, and any application for registration or recognition of a judgment under the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982.

218

214

2. Additional fee payable when a petition in terms of item C1 of this Table is presented outwith normal office hours.

127

125

3. Petition to be admitted as a notary public—

for each applicant

164

161

4. Petition to be admitted as a solicitor—

for each applicant

164

161

5. Answers, objection or other writ (including a joint minute) or step in process or enrolment or opposition to a motion in a pending process by which a party other than an originating party first makes appearance in a proceeding to which item C1 of this Table applies.

218

214

6. Caveat.

49

48

7. No fee.

-

-

8. Registering official copies of orders of courts in England and Wales or Northern Ireland.

18

18

9. Reclaiming motion – payable by party enrolling motion.

218

214

10. Closed record – payable by each party on the lodging of the closed record or, when no closed record is lodged, when mode of enquiry is determined.

109

107

11. Allowing proof, etc. – payable by each party on diet of proof, procedure roll, summar roll or judicial review hearing being allowed.

60

59

12. Court hearing (in normal hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing of a motion.

98

96

13. Court hearing (in normal hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

Note: This fee does not apply to the first 30 minutes of the hearing on the single bills.

244

239

14. Court hearing (out of hours) before a single judge – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

117

115

15. Court hearing (out of hours) before 3 or more judges – payable by each party for every 30 minutes or part thereof.

293

287

16. Cancellation of court hearing before 3 or more judges, by a party or parties, within 28 days of court hearing date – fee payable is shared equally between parties.

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

50% of fee that would have been payable under this Table had the court hearing taken place as planned

17. Fee payable by any party enrolling a motion or making a motion orally at the bar and any party opposing any such motion.

55

54

18. Lodging of notice of appointment or intention to appoint an administrator out of court under the Insolvency Act 198622.

218

214

D. COURT FOR HEARING APPEALS RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS

Appeal – inclusive fee.

218

214

E. ELECTION COURT

1. Parliamentary election petition.

218

214

2. Statement of matters.

18

18

3. Any other petition, application, answers or objections submitted to the court.

55

54

4. Certificate of judgment.

55

54

F. LANDS VALUATION APPEAL COURT

1. Appeal - inclusive fee.

218

214

2. Answers - inclusive fee.

218

214

G. EXTRACTS DEPARTMENT

1. Extract decree following upon a summons, petition or appeal, or after protestation of a note, whether in absence or otherwise.

60

59

2. Extract of admission as a solicitor.

55

54

3. Extract of protestation.

55

54

4. Certificate under the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982.

55

54

5. Documentation evidencing divorce, nullity or dissolution of marriage or civil partnership including—

31

30

  1. a

    extract from Consistorial Register of Decrees of decree pronounced on or after 23rd September 1975 if not issued in terms of item B3 or B4 of this Table;

  1. a

    certificate of divorce in decree pronounced prior to 23rd September 1975;

  1. a

    certified copy interlocutor in decree pronounced prior to 23rd September 1975.

6. Extract from the Register of Acts and Decrees – per sheet or part thereof.

31

30

7. Sealing and certifying any document for exhibition in a foreign jurisdiction or otherwise.

31

30

8. Acknowledgement of receipt of a notice under section 19(6) or 21(2) of the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970.

55

54

PART II – FEES IN THE OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT OF COURT

H. OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT OF COURT

I. In Factories

1. Registering case and receiving and delivering up bond of caution.

23

22

2. Examining factor’s inventory – 0.333% of the value of the estate as disclosed

  1. a

    minimum fee payable;

31

30

  1. a

    maximum fee payable.

735

721

3. Auditing each account, based on estate value—

  1. a

    £0 - £30,000;

114

112

  1. a

    £30,001 - £50,000;

230

225

  1. a

    £50,001 - £250,000;

573

562

  1. a

    £250,001 - £500,000;

862

845

  1. a

    £500,001 and above.

1,149

1,126

4. Reporting with regard to discharge, special powers, other special matters, surplus estate or scheme of division.

57

56

5. For certificate under seal.

17

17

II. In Consignations

6. Lodging consignation.

33

32

7. Producing or delivering up consignation, based on consignation value—

  1. a

    consignation value £0 - £50 and less than 7 years since lodged;

No charge

No charge

  1. a

    consignation value over £51 and less than 7 years since lodged;

33

32

  1. a

    consignation value £0 - £70 and over 7 years since lodged;

No charge

No charge

  1. a

    consignation value over £71 and over 7 years since lodged.

54

53

PART III – FEES IN THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR OF THE COURT OF SESSION

I. OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR OF THE COURT OF SESSION

1. Taxing accounts of expenses incurred in judicial proceedings (including proceedings in the High Court of Justiciary) remitted to the Auditor of the Court of Session for taxation—

  1. a

    on lodging account for taxation;

44

43

  1. a

    taxing accounts for expenses etc.

  1. i

    up to £400;

20

20

  1. i

    for every additional £100 or part thereof.

5

5

Note: fee to be determined by the Auditor of the Court of Session on amount of account as submitted.

2. Fee for assessing account remitted to the Auditor to determine whether an additional fee should be paid.

293

287

3. Fee for cancellation of diet of taxation—

  1. a

    where written notice of cancellation received from receiving party after 4.00 pm on the fourth working day before the day of the diet of taxation;

50% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

50% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

  1. a

    where written notice of cancellation received from receiving party after 4.00 pm on the second working day before the day of the diet of taxation.

75% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

75% of fee that would be payable under item I1(b) of this Table

PART IV – FEES COMMON TO ALL OFFICES

J. MISCELLANEOUS

1. Certified copy of proceedings for appeal to the Supreme Court.

218

214

2. Certifying of any other document (plus copying charges if necessary).

18

18

3. Recording, extracting, engrossing or copying- all documents (exclusive of search fee)—

  1. a

    copying of each document, up to 10 pages;

6

6

  1. a

    copying of each further page or part thereof;

0.50

0.50

  1. a

    copying of each document in electronic form.

6

6

4. Any search of records or archives, per 30 minutes or part thereof.

12

12

In addition, correspondence fee where applicable.

12

12

5. Captions—

  1. a

    marking caption when ordered;

12

12

  1. a

    warrant for caption when issued.

12

12

6. Change of party name where more than 10 cases are registered – per case.

2

2

SCHEDULE 4Revocations

Article 7

Column 1

(Instrument)

Column 2

(Citation)

Column 3

(Extent of revocation)

The Court of Session etc. Fees Order 1997

S.I. 1997/688

The whole instrument

The Court of Session Fees etc. Amendment Order 1999

S.I. 1999/755

The whole instrument

The Court of Session etc. Fees Amendment Order 2002

S.S.I. 2002/270

The whole instrument

The Court of Session etc. Fees Amendment Order 2007

S.S.I. 2007/319

The whole instrument

The Court of Session etc. Fees Amendment Order 2008

S.S.I. 2008/236

The whole instrument

The Court of Session Fees etc. Amendment Order 2009

S.S.I. 2009/88

The whole instrument

The Court of Session Fees etc. Amendment Order 2012

S.S.I. 2012/290

The whole instrument

The Court Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Scotland Order 2012

S.S.I. 2012/322

The whole instrument

The Welfare Reform (Consequential Amendments) (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2013

S.S.I. 2013/137

Regulation 11

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes provision for the fees payable in the Court of Session, to the Principal Clerk of Session, the Accountant of Court and the Auditor of the Court of Session, or any officer acting for one of those officers (as appropriate).

Article 3 and Schedules 1 to 3 specify fee levels payable in the Court of Session in respect of certain matters.

  • The fee levels for the period from 22nd September 2015 until 31st March 2016 are given effect by the Table of Fees in Schedule 1.

  • The fee levels for the period from 1st April 2016 until 31st March 2017 are given effect by substituting the Table of Fees in Schedule 1 with the Table of Fees in Schedule 2.

  • The fee levels from 1st April 2017 onwards are given effect by substituting the Table of Fees in Schedule 2 with the Table of Fees in Schedule 3.

Article 3(4) provides that fees are not to be payable by the Crown in the enforcement of the criminal law or in the exercise of powers or the performance of duties arising out of or relating to that enforcement.

Article 3(5) provides that the relevant office holders are not required to do any act in connection with the matter specified in relation to that fee without either prior payment of the fee or entering into an arrangement for payment of the fee.

Article 4 exempts certain persons from payment of fees.

Article 5 exempts certain motions from fees, by reference to the Rules of the Court of Session 1994.

Article 6 provides for the calculation of certain fees payable.

Article 7 introduces Schedule 4 which revokes the Court of Session etc. Fees Order 1997 together with amending Orders and provisions.

A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared for this Order and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Copies can be obtained from the Scottish Government Justice Directorate, St Andrews House, Edinburgh EH1 3DG.