(a) AWARDING COSTS. (1)In General. The court has discretion to award reasonable costs to either party, including the cost of bonds and undertakings, and other expenses incurred in the lawsuit. The court may award costs in a manner intended to discourage the filing of frivolous, vexatious, or false claims or defenses and to prevent interference with the administration of justice in this branch.(2)Service Costs. When process is served by the marshal, or by registered or certified mail, the actual cost of service is taxable as a cost. When served by an individual specially appointed by the court or approved by the clerk, the cost of service, if any, is not taxable as a cost.(b) FAILURE TO PAY COSTS. If any party fails to pay accrued costs, though able to do so, the court may deny that party the right to file any new case in this branch while the costs remain unpaid and deny the party the right to proceed further in any case pending in this branch.COMMENT TO 2018 AMENDMENTS
Formerly Rule 15, this rule has been renumbered as Rule 14. Former Rule 14 was deleted as redundant because Civil Rule 202 is already incorporated by Rule 2.
This rule has also been amended consistent with the stylistic changes to the civil rules.