In most cases, the deadline for serving points of dispute is 21 days after the date of service of the notice of commencement. A receiving party who is not served with points of dispute on or before that deadline can request the issue of a default costs certificate (CPR 47.9(4)) (unless the case is one of those described under the next heading.)

A request for a default costs certificate must be made in Form N254 and must be accompanied by a copy of the order for costs or other document giving the right to detailed assessment (as to which, see the Part 47 Practice Direction (para 13.3)). The form must be signed by the receiving party or his solicitor. A court fee is payable.

The request in Form N254 must be filed in the District Registry or County Court in which the case was being dealt with when the judgment or order for costs was made or when the event occurred which gave rise to the right to assessment, or to which it has subsequently been transferred: in all other cases, the request must be filed in the SCCO.

Excerpt from the Senior Courts Costs Office Guide 2021