
1 

(1) This Order may be cited as the Supreme Court Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 and, subject to paragraph (2), shall come into operation on 2nd December 2002.
(2) Articles 3 and 4 shall come into operation on 3rd March 2003.
2 
In this Order “the principal Order” means the Supreme Court Fees Order (Northern Ireland) 1996.
3 
For Article 2 of the principal Order there shall be substituted the following new Article –“
2 
In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires –
(a) an Order or rule referred to by number means an Order or rule so numbered in the Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) 1980 and expressions defined in those Rules shall have the same meaning in this Order;
(b) a fee or column referred to by number means the fee or column so numbered in the Schedule to this Order;
(c) “credit card” means a card which –
(i) may be used on its own to pay for goods or services or to withdraw cash, and
(ii) enables the holder to make purchases and to draw cash up to a prearranged limit;
(d) “debit card” means a card which may be used as a means of payment under arrangements which do not provide for the extension of credit to the cardholder, but provide for amounts paid by means of the card to be debited to a specified account in his name (or in his name jointly with one or more others); and
(e) “payment instrument” means a cheque or payable order.”.
4 
For paragraph (1) of Article 7 of the principal Order there shall be substituted the following new paragraph –“
(1) Subject to paragraph (4), the fees prescribed in the Schedule shall be taken –
(a) in cash; or
(b) by credit card payment; or
(c) by debit card payment; or
(d) by payment instrument.”.
5 
For the Schedule to the principal Order there shall be substituted the new Schedule set out in the Schedule to this Order.
Irvine of Lairg, C.
Dated 29th October 2002We concur
Jim Fitzpatrick
John Heppell
Two of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury
Dated 5th November 2002
SCHEDULE
Article 5
“
SCHEDULE
Article 4
Section 1— Fees payable in every Department of the Supreme Court
Section 2— Fees payable in the Central Office
Section 3— Fees Payable in the Office of the Lord Chief Justice
Section 4— Fees payable in the Bankruptcy and Companies Office
Section 5— Fees payable in the Taxing Office
Section 6— Fees payable in the Office of Care and Protection
SECTION 1

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Item Fee Document to be endorsed
 £ 
A. COMMENCEMENT OF A CAUSE OR MATTER

1 
On sealing –  

(a) a writ of summons, or 170·00 The filed copy

(b) an originating summons, except for the payment out of court of a sum not exceeding £1,500 or where a fee under section 6 is payable and where no other fee is specifically provided, or 170·00 The filed copy

(c) a writ of summons or an originating summons under Order 88, or 150·00 The filed copy

(d) an originating notice of motion, except a notice of appeal to the High Court, or 170·00 The filed copy

(e) a petition, except where a fee under section 4 or 6 of this Schedule is payable 170·00 The filed copy

2 
On sealing an originating summons –  

(a) on approval of a minor settlement 44·00 The filed copy

(b) under section 31 or 32(1) of the Administration of Justice Act 1970 for discovery before commencement of proceedings. 40·00 The filed copy
3. On an application for leave to apply for judicial review under Order 53. Provided that where the applicant obtains leave to move, credit for this fee is to be given against the fee payable in item 1. 50·00 The application
B. PROGRESS OF PROCEEDINGS
Interlocutory applications

4 
On sealing a summons, a notice of appointment, or notice of motion 50·00 The notice or summons

5 

(a) On an ex parte application to a Judge for an injunction 55·00 Ex parte docket or summons or affidavit in support of the application

(b) On an ex parte application to a Judge for approval of a minor settlement 55·00 The ex parte docket

(c) On an application to a Master for payment out of monies invested on behalf of a minor 11·00 The application

(d) On an ex parte application before a Master 50·00 The ex parte docket
Entering and setting down for trial in court

6 
On entering or setting down any cause or matter for trial, hearing or further consideration in court, except where it is otherwise provided for in this Schedule 95·00 The setting down docket

7 

(a) On setting down a cause on motion for judgment 50·00 The motion or summons

(b) Where the motion is treated as the trial of the action, in addition to the fee paid on the notice of motion 44·00 The praecipe
Examination of witness before trial

8 
On the examination of a witness before trial 17·00 The order
Inquiries, trials and assessment of damages or interest by Master

9 

(a) On an inquiry, reference for trial or assessment of damages before a Master or Admiralty Registrar 44·00 The order, judgment or certificate

(b) On an assessment of interest before a Master 50·00 The judgment
Appeals to Judge in Chambers

10 
On sealing a notice of appeal from a Master or Admiralty Registrar or District Judge to Judge in Chambers 55·00 The notice filed
Appeals to High Court

11 
On filing –  

(a) a notice of appeal to the High Court, or 55·00 The notice filed

(b) a case stated or a special case for the opinion of the High Court pursuant to statute and setting the appeal or case down for hearing, or 55·00 The case

(c) a notice of cross-appeal to the High Court, or 55·00 The notice filed

(d) a respondent’s notice of appeal to the High Court 55·00 The notice
C. ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS
Application in aid of enforcement

12 
On an application for an attachment of earnings order to secure maintenance payments 11·00 The affidavit in support of the application
Registration of Foreign and Commonwealth Judgments

13 

(a) Under Part II of the Administration of Justice Act 1920 or the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1933 –  

(i) on an ex parte application to register an incoming judgment or order 28·00 The affidavit in support of the application

(ii) on providing a certified copy of a judgment or order for use abroad 28·00 The affidavit in support of the application

(b) Under the Maintenance Orders Act 1950 or the Maintenance and Affiliation Orders Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 –  

(i) on an ex parte application to register an outgoing order 5·50 The affidavit in support of the application

(ii) on processing an incoming registration 5·50 The affidavit or order

(c) Under the Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act 1920 –  

(i) on an ex parte application to register an outgoing order 28·00 The affidavit in support of the application

(ii) on processing an incoming registration 28·00 The affidavit or order

(d) Under the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972 on an ex parte application to register an outgoing order 28·00 The affidavit or statement in support of the application.
Enforcement of Arbitration Award

14 
On an application for leave to enforce an arbitration award 28·00 The application
D. MISCELLANEOUS PROCEEDINGS OR MATTERS
Copy Documents

15 
For a photographic copy of, or part of, any document, whether or not issued as an office copy, for each photographic sheet 1·00 The requisition

16 
For any other copy document per page, whether or not issued as an office copy 1·00 The requisition

17 
For examining a plain copy and marking the same as an office copy – for each sheet 2·00 The requisition

18 
For a certified copy of a written judgment 8·00 The requisition

19 
For any other stencilled copy and marking the same as an office copy, first copy per page 1·00 The requisition
Bills of Sale

20 
On filing –  

(a) any document under the Bills of Sale (Ireland) Acts, 1879 and 1883, other than a fiat of satisfaction 17·00 The document filed

(b) fiat of satisfaction 17·00 The application

21 

(a) For an official certificate of the result of a search in one name in any register or index under the custody of the Registrar of Bills of Sale 11·00 The requisition for search
for every additional name if included included in the same certificate 5·50 The requisition for search

(b) For a continuation of search if made within one calendar month of date of official certificate (the result to be endorsed on each certificate) 5·50 The requisition for search
Taking affidavits

22 

(a) On taking an affidavit or an affirmation or a declaration 5·50 The affidavit, affirmation or declaration

(b) In addition thereto for each exhibit referred to and required to be marked 2·00 The affidavit, affirmation or declaration
Searches

23 
On a search of court documents, except where item 21 or 33 applies 5·50 The requisition
Writs of Subpoena

24 
On sealing a writ of subpoena per person 7·00 The requisition
Warrants of arrest

25 
On an application for a warrant of arrest under Article 5(3) of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 33·00 The application
SECTION 2

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Item Fee Document to be endorsed
 £ 
Review of Taxing Master’s Decision

26 
On an application to a Judge to review the Taxing Master’s decision. 50·00 The summons
Admiralty

27 

(a) On lodging with the Marshal an instrument under Order 75, rule 5(1) 90·00 The praecipe

(b) On the sale of a ship or goods –  

(i) for every £100 or fraction of £100 of the price up to £100,000 2·00 (Paid by transfer)

(ii) for every £100 or fraction of £100 of the price exceeding £100,000 1·00 (Paid by transfer)

(c) On entering a reference for hearing by the Registrar 44·00 The notice for hearing

(d) On retaining possession of a ship with or without cargo, or of a ship’s cargo without a ship, per day 7·00 (Paid by transfer)
Court of Appeal

28 

(a) On filing a notice of appeal or case stated 175·00 The notice of appeal or requisition

(b) On filing a notice of cross-appeal or a respondent’s notice under Order 59, rule 6(1) 90·00 The notice
Transcript of Trial

29 
A transcript of the shorthand or stenographic notes or of a recording taken by mechanical means of the whole or any part of any proceedings in respect of which –  

(a) an appeal lies to the Court of Appeal, for each page 1·00 The requisition

(b) leave has been given by a Judge, –  

(i) in a criminal trial for each folio 0·78 The requisition

(ii) in a civil trial for each folio 0·68 The requisition

(iii) for each page of a second or subsequent transcript 1·00 The requisition
SECTION 3

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Item Fee Document to be endorsed
 £ 

30 
On presenting a memorial for appointment as commissioner for oaths or notary public 22·00 The memorial

31 
For every certificate of such appointment 9·00 The certificate
SECTION 4

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Item Fee Document to be endorsed
 £ 
UNDER THE COMPANIES (NORTHERN IRELAND) ORDER 1986 OR THE INSOLVENCY (NORTHERN IRELAND) ORDER 1989

32 

(a) On sealing a petition for the winding up of a company by the court or for an order under Article 452 or 453 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 80·00 The petition

(b) On sealing a bankruptcy petition:  

(i) if presented by a debtor or by the personal representative of a deceased debtor 60·00 The petition

(ii) if presented by a creditor or other person 105·00 The petition

(c) On sealing any other petition (one fee only is payable where more than one petition is presented in relation to a partnership) 80·00 The petition

(d) On the hearing of a public examination 40·00 The application

33 

(a) On sealing any originating application 80·00 The application

(b) On sealing any other application 44·00 The application
The fees in items 33(a) and (b) are not payable on an application to set aside a statutory demand or an application by the Official Receiver when applying only in that capacity  
UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY ACTS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 1857 TO 1980

34 
On a notice of a sitting of the court or an application to the court except by the Official Receiver when applying otherwise than as receiver of the property of a bankrupt, deceased insolvent or arranging debtor. 40·00 The notice, summons, affidavit or report

35 
On a bond 11·00 The bond
MISCELLANEOUS

36 
On any search in the office (including an inspection) other than by a bankrupt, director proposing a company voluntary arrangement, a debtor proposing an individual voluntary arrangement, or the Official Receiver when acting as such 5·50 The search docket
SECTION 5

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Item Fee Document to be endorsed
 £ 

37 
On an application for taxation under the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 33·00 The application

38 

(a) On taking a cash account between solicitor and own client under the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 – 0·30 The account
for every £50 or fraction of £50 of the amounts found to have been received and paid  

(b) On the taxation of a bill of costs –  

(i) where the amount allowed does not exceed £500 60·00 The bill

(ii) where the amount exceeds £500, for every £1 or fraction of £1 of the amount allowed 0·15 The bill
Provided that the Master may in any case require the bill of costs to be stamped before taxation with the whole or part of the amount of fees which would be payable if the bill were were allowed by him at the full amount thereof (including in cases under the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, the fee payable in respect of the cash account)  

(c) On the withdrawal of a bill of costs which has been lodged for taxation Such fee (not exceeding the amount which would have been payable under paragraph (b) if the bill had been allowed in full) as shall appear to the Master to be reasonable having regard to the amount of work done in the Office 

(d) On assessing costs in the Chancery Division for every £1 or fraction of £1 of the sum assessed 0·10 The bill

(e) On an application to the Taxing Master to review his decision 33·00 The written objection
SECTION 6

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Item Fee Document to be endorsed
 £ 
WARDSHIP, ADOPTION AND PARENTAL ORDERS

39 
On an application by way of petition or originating summons for wardship, adoption or a parental order under section 30 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 77·00 The filed copy
FAMILY LAW ACT

40 
On an application under section 27 of the Family Law Act 1986 for the registration of a custody order 22·00 The filed copy of the order
ENDURING POWERS OF ATTORNEY

41 
On an application for registration of an enduring power of attorney 100·00 The filed copy

42 
On an application made pursuant to a direction of the Court under rule 4 of Order 109A 100·00 The filed copy

43 
On an application for a search of the register of enduring powers of attorney 5·50 The requisition
PATIENT'S AFFAIRS
Commencement Fee

44 
—
(1) On a first application for the appointment of a controller or other originating process, except where it appears that the patient’s clear annual income is less than £1,000 110·00 The requisition

(2) On commencement pursuant to a request by a personal applicant, in addition to Fee (1) above, for every £100 or fraction of £100 above £1,000 of the income which the patient’s estate might be expected to yield if duly administered by the court 5·00 but not exceeding a total of 90·00 
Annual administration fee

45 
On a certificate issued by the Office in accordance with Table 1 The requisition
Transaction fee

46 
—
(1) On any order (or, as the case may be, on any approval given by the court under an order) made by the court in the exercise of powers conferred by –
(i) Article 99(1) –
(b) (sale, exchange, etc of property)
(c) (acquisition of property)
(d) (settlement of gift of property)
(h) (carrying out of contract) or
(k) (exercise of powers as guardian or trustee) –
 of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (“the Order”)
(ii) Article 102 of the Order (vesting of stock in curator appointed outside Northern Ireland)  

(iii) Section 35(9) of the Trustee Act (Northern Ireland) 1958 (appointment of new trustee) 80·00 or, in a “special case” ¼% of the pecuniary consideration as defined in Note 4 if greater than 80·00 The requisition

(iv) Section 57(3) of the Trustee Act (Northern Ireland) 1958 (variation of trusts for benefit of patient), provided that no fee under this item shall be taken if the property is worth less than £50 and no such fee shall exceed £500  

(2) On the making by the court of any order or authority under Article 99(1)(e) of the Order (execution of will) 190·00 The requisition
Control fees

47 
On the appointment of an officer of the court including the Official Solicitor, as controller, except where it appears that the patient’s clear annual income is less than £1,000 275·00 The requisition

48 
On passing an account where an officer of the court other than Official Solicitor is appointed in accordance with Table 2 

TABLE 1 (Fee No. 44)
Clear Annual Income Fee
Income Band Exceeding Not Exceeding
(i)  £ 1,000 None
(ii) £ 1,000 £ 2,000 £ 80
(iii) £ 2,000 £ 3,000 £155
(iv) £ 3,000 £ 5,000 £230
(v) £ 5,000 £ 7,000 £385
(vi) £ 7,000 £10,000 £620
(vii) £10,000 £15,000 £875
(viii) £15,000  £875 plus 5% of income exceeding £15,000

TABLE 2 (Fee No. 47)
Clear Annual Income Fee
Income Band Exceeding Not Exceeding
(i)  £ 1,000 None
(ii) £ 1,000 £ 2,000 £ 200
(iii) £ 2,000 £ 3,000 £ 400
(iv) £ 3,000 £ 5,000 £ 600
(v) £ 5,000 £ 7,000 £1,000
(vi) £ 7,000 £10,000 £1,475
(vii) £10,000 £15,000 £2,100
(viii) £15,000  £2,100 plus 5% of income exceeding £15,000NOTES:
1 
In relation to fees number 44 and 47, and their corresponding Tables, where income exceeds the lower limit of a band by less than the difference between the fees for that band and the next lower band, the fee charged shall be the fee for the lower band plus the amount by which the income exceeds the upper limit of the band. For example, in calculating fee number 44 on a clear annual income of (£2,050) which exceeds the lower limit (£2,000) on Band (iii) by less than the difference (£75) between the fee (£150) on Band (iii) and the fee (£75) on Band (ii), the fee payable is –
 £ 75 (the fee on Band (ii))
 +£ 50 (the amount by which the income exceeds £2,000)
 
 £125
2 
In relation to fee number 44 –
(1) The annual administration fee shall be payable in respect of the clear annual income at the disposal of the patient from the date of issue of the first application for the appointment of a controller or other originating process until the termination of the proceedings.
(2) In any case in which it appears to the court that the amount certified has been wrongly assessed, the court may direct that the fee is to be adjusted upon the passing of the controller’s accounts or at such other time as appears to the court to be convenient.
(3) No administration fee may be taken where the proceedings are terminated before any order is made.
(4) The clear annual income at the patient’s disposal, for the purposes of this fee does not include income which accrued and became payable to him more than six months prior to the date of the first application for the appointment of a controller or other originating process but which was received after that date.
3 
Fees number 44 and 45 are not payable where an officer of the court is acting as controller for the patient.
4 
In relation to fee number 45 –
(1) “special case” means an order made by the court –
(a) under paragraph (b), (c), (d) and (h) of Article 99(1) of the Order;
(b) relating to the sale or purchase by the patient in exercise of his powers as a tenant for life under the Settled Lands Acts 1882 to 1890;
(c) under section 57(3) of the Trustee Act (Northern Ireland) 1958.
(2) In a special case, the standard fee payable shall be increased where there is readily ascertainable pecuniary consideration in the nature of capital arising to or provided by the patient (otherwise than by way of loan to, or repayment of a loan by the patient), no account being taken of the possible capitalisation of the value of rents or interest or other income payments.
(3) Where a transaction is to be approved under an order mentioned in fee number 45, the fee shall be taken on the approval of the transaction and the Office shall issue a certificate stating the amount payable.
(4) Except when the court otherwise directs, no fee shall be payable under fee number 45 upon the sale or purchase of personal chattels or any investment for the time being authorised by law for the investment of trust property or in securities quoted in any stock exchange in the United Kingdom.
5 

(1) In relation to fee number 46, the clear annual income at the patient’s disposal for the purpose of this fee does not include income which accrued and became payable to him more than six months prior to the date when the court’s jurisdiction was first exercised in relation to him.
(2) In relation to fee number 47, no annual fee shall be taken where the proceedings are terminated less than four weeks from the date of issue of the first application for the appointment of a controller.
6 
In relation to fees number 43(2), 44, 46 and 47, no fee shall be payable on any income by way of a war pension or war injuries (civilian) pension in respect of –
(a) service in the armed forces of the Crown to which section 2 of the War Pensions Act 1920 applies; or
(b) service in the armed forces of the Crown after 2nd September 1939; or
(c) service before the 15th August 1945 to which the Pension (Polish Forces) Scheme 1964 applies; or
(d) detention, capture, war injury or war risk injury within the meaning of any scheme (other than that mentioned in paragraph (c) above) made under the Pensions (Navy, Army, Air Force and Mercantile Marine) Act 1939, or under that Act as amended and applied by the Pensions (Mercantile Marine) Act 1942; or
(e) war service injury within the meaning of the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme 1983 as amended in the case of a civil defence volunteer to whom that Scheme applied.”