Williamson v. Ameritech Corp.

Because there is neither general statutory authority empowering a trial court to award deposition expenses to a prevailing party nor a specific statutory mandate permitting the award in this case, we reverse.

Civ.R. 54(D) provides the general rule allowing costs to the prevailing party in a civil case unless the court otherwise directs. The categories of litigation expenses comprising “costs” are, however, limited. Centennial Ins. Co. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co. (1982), 69 Ohio St.2d 50, 23 O.O.3d 88, 430 N.E.2d 925. “Costs are generally defined as the statutory fees to which officers, witnesses,…