§ Sir Donald Kaberryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average amount of costs payable upon a summons issued by a regional water 317W authority for the issue of a summons in some appropriate court for the recovery of arrears of water charges from a householder.
§ Mr. Giles ShawNo central records are maintained on this subject. The award of costs is in the discretion of the Court concerned. Court fees are fixed by my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and the level of fixed costs regulated by rules issued by the County Court Rule Committee. For arrears between £25 and £250, the water authorities can claim fixed costs of £15. The court fee is £4 for claims under £40 and 10 per cent. of the sum outstanding for claims up to £250.