§ 37. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Attorney-General if he is aware that bills of costs in unopposed cases for sums of under £500, taxed by taxing officers at Somerset House, are being delayed for 10 weeks; what is the cause of this delay; what action is being taken to improve the position; and what he expects the delay to be in the future.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe delay in the taxation of bills of costs in unopposed divorce cases for sums of under £500 was caused by increases in the number of bills for taxation coupled with the prolonged illness of one of the taxing officers following a motor accident. Two further taxing officers have been appointed and arrears are already being reduced appreciably. It is hoped to reduce delays to four weeks, of which two are required under the Rules for giving the opposite party an opportunity to be represented.