Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)

Part II E+W Civil Jurisdiction and Procedure

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 2 applied in part (4.5.2021) by S.I. 1981/552, rule 60A (as inserted by The Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 2021 (S.I. 2021/459), rules 1(1), 2(2))

Costs E+W

64 Power to award costs and enforcement of costs. E+W

(1) On the hearing of a complaint, a magistrates’ court shall have power in its discretion to make such order as to costs—

(a) on making the order for which the complaint is made, to be paid by the defendant to the complainant;

(b) on dismissing the complaint, to be paid by the complainant to the defendant,

as it thinks just and reasonable; but if the complaint is for an order for the [F1 variation of an order for the periodic payment of money] , or for the enforcement of such an order, the court may, whatever adjudication it makes, order either party to pay the whole or any part of the other’s costs.

F2 (1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) The amount of any sum ordered to be paid under [F3 subsection (1) F4 ...] shall be specified in the order, or order of dismissal, as the case may be.

(3) F5 ... Costs ordered to be paid under this section shall be enforceable as a civil debt.

F6 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 (4A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) The preceding provisions of this section shall have effect subject to any other Act enabling a magistrates’ court to order a successful party to pay the other party’s costs.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 64(1) substituted (6.4.2011) by The Family Procedure (Modification of Enactments) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1045), arts. 1, 10(a) (with art. 39)

F2 S. 64(1A) repealed (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 10 paras. 47(a), 99 Table; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(d) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

F3 Words in s. 64(2) substituted (6.4.2011) by The Family Procedure (Modification of Enactments) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1045), arts. 1, 10(c) (with art. 39)

F4 Words in s. 64(2) repealed (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 10 paras. 47(b), 99 Table; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(d) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

F5 Words in s. 64(3) repealed (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 10 paras. 47(c), 99 Table; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(d) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

F6 S. 64(4)(4A) repealed (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 10 paras. 47(a), 99 Table; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(d) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)