Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority v. Ignacio

By Judge Everett A. Martin, Jr.

I have received letters regarding the assessment of the fees of the expert witness and stenographer as costs in this action. The allowance of costs is provided solely by statute. Scott v. Doughty, 130 Va. 523, 107 S.E. 729 (1921). Code of Virginia, § 25-46.32 provides in pertinent part, “Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all costs of the proceeding in the trial court which are fixed by statute shall be taxed against the petitioner.” Neither letter made any reference to any other statute in Chapter 1.1 of Title 25 that would authorize the allowance of…