Applicants must send or bring to the SCCO:

(i) Three copies of the claim form with draft order sought.

(ii) A cheque for the fee made payable to HMCTS or HM Courts and Tribunals Service

(iii) The original bill(s) or copies of the original(s) which are certified by or on behalf of the applicants as being true and complete copies.

Once the payment of the fee has been processed, the application will be passed to the application clerk in Room 7.12 Thomas More Building, Royal Courts of Justice, who will put the file before a Costs Judge who will allocate a date for a directions hearing. The court will send out the application to the parties unless, for example, the applicant requests permission to serve it. The application will usually be listed for a short appointment (15 minutes). If a second hearing is needed the matter will be adjourned to a new date with a longer time estimate.

The application notice must be supported by a statement of truth, but in most cases, witness statement evidence is not required unless the application is contested. This may occur where the applicant needs to show special circumstances under s70(3) of the Act or where the Costs Judge directs.

Extract from the Senior Courts Costs Office Guide 2018