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64
"There is the further question of conferences with other expert witnesses and
with the Solicitor in the Case, consultations with Counsel, advice upon the evidence
given by the qualifying witnesses on the other side during the trial and suggestions
for their cross.examination, nor should the scale include attendance in Court to give
evidence, the allowance for which is already settled. For each consultation with
Counsel solicitor or other valuers attended on days when the fee for attendance in
Court is not charged it would I think be reasonable to allow half a guinea. The
work of advising on evidence of other witnesses and suggestions for cross.examination
is generally done in Court when the Surveyor is being paid at the rate of 8 guineas
per day for attendance and I cannot see that any extra payment for these items
should be allowed as the Surveyor is already being paid for doing nothing when such
evidence is being given."
The Committee on the 16th March, 1898, adopted the above report altering the
suggested scale to £1 per cent. on property to the Gross Rental Value of £500 or less
(minimum £3) and a fee of 15/. for every additional £100 up to £1,000 and for
properties of greater value a fee of 10/. per cent. thereafter.
For example :—
£ s. d.
Property valued £500 Gross a fee of 5 0 0 to be allowed.
Do. £600 do. 5 15 0 do.
Do. £1,000 do. 8 15 0 do.
Do. £2,000 do. 13 15 0 do.
The Clerk to the Justices, in acknowledging receipt of the above views of the
Committee, convoyed the thanks of the Justices for the trouble the Committee had
taken in this matter, and stated that it had been found impossible, after careful
consideration of the difficulties presented, to fix any scale for these expenses, so that
the present practice would be continued of taxing each bill of costs upon the merits
of each case.
CHAIRMAN.
Your Committee have passed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, Major
F. M. Wenborn, for his conduct of the business of the Committee during the past
year.
Submitted by order of the Committee,
H. MANSFIELD ROBINSON,
Cleric to the Assessment Committee.
Assessment Committee Offices,
Shoreditch Town Hall,
Old Street, E.C.
18th April, 1898.