§ Sir Julian CritchleyTo ask the Attorney-General, who is the taxation master in the matter of solicitors' costs; and if he will list the names and firms of those in the legal profession who assist him. [36309]
§ Mr. StreeterI have been asked to reply.
In accordance with the Solicitors Act 1974 and order 62 of the rules of the Supreme Court, taxations of solicitor and own client costs—Solicitors Act taxations—may be carried out only by a taxing master or district judge, sitting alone. Reviews of such taxations are carried out by a judge assisted by two assessors, one of whom is a taxing master, and the other a practising solicitor nominated by the president of the Law Society.
403WDeputy taxing masters and deputy district judges also conduct taxations. There are seven taxing masters, 331 district judges, 16 deputy taxing masters and 691 deputy district judges. There is no panel of practising solicitors acting as assessors. Individual nominations are made for each review. I will write to the hon. Member if he wishes to provide me with details of any particular case that he has in mind.