Recovery of legal costs awarded against plaintiff

[grimfandango]

Somebody I know took a circuit court legal action against another entity and lost. Costs were awarded against them. What happens in this instance? How are costs recovered? If the person is working, do they take it out at source/revenue? Arrange a payment plan? If they are not working, is it deducted from their dole? If the person declared themselves bankrupt, would they be able to avoid paying?

 

[mf1]

Lets put a notional figure of €5000 on those costs.

Firstly- it is always a risk that costs cannot be recovered.

It is likely that the costs will have to be taxed - i.e . approved by the relevant Court authority.

That approval then becomes an Order of Court and becomes a Judgment against the losing Plaintiff.

The Judgment is then tried to be enforced by all the usual means e.g. Sherriff, registration ( which affects credit rating), judgment mortgage if there is a property to be attached and, if all else fails, an instalment order followed by committal, if failure to pay is wilful.

Your somebody needs to talk to a solicitor about the process.

Bankruptcy would be a bit extreme but, yes, presumably, that would render the losing party unable to pay.

mf