If the application is made within one calendar month of receipt of the bill, the Costs Judge must order detailed assessment.

If the application is made more than one calendar month, but less than a year from receipt of the bill (and the bill has not been paid), the Costs Judge may impose conditions, for example, that the amount of the bill should be paid into court and to remain there until the result of the detailed assessment is known.

No order will be made, except in special circumstances, if:

(i) 12 months have elapsed from the delivery of a bill which has not been paid or

(ii) The bill has been paid less than 12 months before the date upon which the application was issued or

(iii) Judgment has been obtained for the recovery of the costs covered by the bill.

If the bill has been paid more than 12 months before the date upon which the application was issued the Costs Judge has no power to order that the bill be assessed.

Extract from the Senior Courts Costs Office Guide 2018