Fees payable to Sheriff officers and Messengers at arms

The fees payable to sheriff officers are regulated by the Table of Fees payable to Sheriff Officers (Act of Sederunt (Fees of Sheriff Officers) 1990 (SI 1990 N0 381).

The use of messengers-at-arms and sheriff officers is only considered appropriate where:

  • A postal citation has been returned undelivered.
  • The witness is believed to be hostile or reluctant.
  • There is insufficient time to use postal citation (not as a result of delay on an agents part).
Outlays for ordinary witnesses cited to attend court
Counsels fees

In this section

The Account (outlays)

Including outlays within your account

Find out how to include outlays in your account and what documentation you should lodge in support to ensure payment of outlays.

The Account (outlays)

Travel outlays

Find out about what outlays for your travel can be claimed in your account.

The Account (outlays)

General guidance on witness expenses applicable to all witness types

Find out about the legal aid rates payable for witnesses and whether value added tax can be added to a witness’s note of fee.

The Account (outlays)

Outlays for expert witnesses cited to attend court

Find out what outlays are chargeable for an expert witness cited to attend court, including travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.

The Account (outlays)

Outlays for professional witnesses cited to attend court

Find out what the definition is of a professional witness and what outlays to professional witnesses are chargeable including police witnesses and interpreters.

The Account (outlays)

Outlays for ordinary witnesses cited to attend court

Find out what outlays can be claimed for ordinary witnesses cited to attend court, including travel, subsistence and child minding costs.

The Account (outlays)

Counsels fees

Find out whether counsel’s fees are considered an outlay and how they are paid.