Sup. Ct. R. D.C. 53-I

As amended through October 11, 2024

Rule 53-I - Auditor-Master Fees

(a) In General. Fees for work performed by the Auditor-Master shall bear a reasonable relation to the value of the service thus rendered.

(b) Exceptions. In appropriate cases, the court, in its discretion, may order that a party or parties shall be charged no fee or only a reduced fee for work performed by the Auditor-Master.

Sup. Ct. R. D.C. 53-I

COMMENT

This rule makes clear that normally parties shall be required to bear the cost of services rendered in their cases by the Auditor-Master's office but that in exceptional instances the court may order the Auditor-Master to perform work in cases in which the parties cannot afford to pay the full, or perhaps any fee. In all cases the Auditor-Master shall, upon completion of the work performed, furnish to the parties and the court a brief statement of the work done and a recommendation as to the fee to be charged. The court will consider this recommendation, and any objections thereto filed by the parties, and will then order that fees in a specified amount be charged to specified parties. For litigants or attorneys who wish to secure an estimate of what fees might be charged for performance of certain prospective work, the Auditor-Master is available on appointment to render an informal opinion.