asked the Minister for Justice the rate charged for copies of judgements in the High and Supreme Courts; by virtue of what authority is the charge made; and whether he will have arrangements made to bring the charge in line with the rates operating in Belfast for similar documents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Charges for Court Judgments.
51.
The fee chargeable for the supply of copies of the documents referred to is 1/- per folio of 72 words, and the relevant fees order is the Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order, 1956.
The present arrangement which enables the public to purchase copy judgments in the Offices of the Supreme and High Court at the foregoing charge was introduced on 15th June, 1965, and replaced the former arrangement under which copy judgments had to be purchased directly from the reporters appointed by the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting at rates approved by the Council. The present charge, which represents a very substantial reduction on the former charge, is in my opinion fair and reasonable by reference to present charges for other court documents, and I do not propose to take any steps with a view to reducing the charge.