Courts Act 1971

49 Costs awarded by Divisional Court or House of Lords out of central funds

(1) A Divisional Court of the Queen's Bench Division may order the payment out of central funds of the costs of any party to proceedings before the Divisional Court in a criminal cause or matter.

(2) The costs payable out of central funds under subsection (1) above shall be such sums as appear to the Divisional Court reasonably sufficient to compensate the party concerned for any expenses properly incurred by him in the proceedings or in any court below.

(3) Where an appeal to the House of Lords from a decision of the Divisional Court in a criminal cause or matter is determined in favour of the accused, the House of Lords may order the payment to the accused out of central funds of such sums as appear to it reasonably sufficient to compensate him for any expenses properly incurred by him in the appeal to the House of Lords (including any application for leave to appeal), or in any court below.

(4) Any amount ordered to be paid under this section shall be ascertained—

(a) if under subsection (1) above, by the master of the Crown Office, and

(b) if under subsection (3) above (except where it is a specific amount ordered to be paid towards the accused's expenses as a whole) by such officer or officers, and in such manner, as may be prescribed by order of the House of Lords.