Other expenses
8.34Any reasonable expenses can be recovered. Costs of overnight stays, if reasonable, are at prescribed rates (CBAM 3.28–3.29). Couriers will only be allowed in an emergency not caused by the solicitor’s delay.
8.35The cost of enquiry agents
1CBAM 7.7. may be recoverable as disbursements if the agent is undertaking work identifiable as enquiry agent work such as locating a witness – whose proof may the be taken. If fee earner work alone is undertaken then the expense is part of profit costs.
2Smith Graham (Solicitors) v Lord Chancellor [1999] All ER (D) 957.8.36The LAA will not pay for investment in technology but will pay expenses which relate to particular cases. This includes the expense of computer assisted transcripts and electronic presentation of evidence (CBAM 7.13).
3See generally on this issue R v Great Western Trains [2004] 2 Costs LR 331.8.37A witness’s out of pocket expenses for attending court are normally a charge on central funds but if refused may be recovered from the legal aid fund.
4CBAM 7.4; SCC A5.40.