Outlays for professional witnesses cited to attend court

Professional witnesses

We view a professional witness as a person practicing as:

  • A member of the legal or medical profession.
  • A dentist, veterinary surgeon, accountant or other similarly qualified person who attends to give evidence in a professional capacity.

In order to assess a claim, we require to know:

  • The name and designation of the witness.
  • The time engaged.
  • The basis for the fee sought.
  • Details of any necessary travel etc.
  • Any vouching for outlays that have been incurred.

Police witnesses

Outlays are not payable for the taking of a police statement.  Should you be charged a fee, we will require you to provide confirmation that the police are aware of the nature of the case i.e. a children’s referral, along with submission of the outlay.

Interpreters

We have published guidance on the level of fees that we will pay for interpreting and translation services.

The guidance includes:

  • Maximum hourly rate payable.
  • Waiting time.
  • Travel and subsistence.
  • Cancellation fees.
  • Translations.
  • Transcribing.
  • Preparing invoices (including a pro-forma invoice).
Outlays for expert witnesses cited to attend court
Outlays for ordinary witnesses cited to attend court

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 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)

Fees payable to Sheriff officers and Messengers at arms

Find out when you can recover the cost of instructing sheriff officers or messengers at arms as an outlay.

The Account (outlays)

Counsels fees

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