What Form F71 is
Form F71 organizes the tariff items claimed when costs are assessed. It is used with Rule 16-1 and Appendix B after there is a legal basis for one party to recover costs.
The current 2026 tariff
Appendix B now classifies a case as less than ordinary difficulty, ordinary difficulty or more than ordinary difficulty for specified items. If difficulty has not been determined, the Rules say costs are assessed as ordinary difficulty. The Schedule uses fixed dollar amounts for categories of work rather than the former unit-based A/B/C scale.
Examples from the current Schedule
As of the October 2026 consolidation, Item 1 is $1,000 / $3,000 / $5,000 depending on difficulty; contested applications are $1,000 for each half day of attendance; JCCs or settlement conferences are $1,000 for each half day; and trial is $2,000 per day for the first five days and $3,000 per additional day. Always check the current Schedule before completing the bill.
A costs award is not full reimbursement
The tariff is not an hourly invoice. A party can spend substantially more on legal fees than the amount recoverable as costs. Expenses/disbursements can also have a separate assessment framework.
Assessment route
If assessment is required, Rule 16-1 uses Form F55 to set the registrar appointment. After assessment, the amount may be certified using Form F72.
Related guides
Supreme Court costs guide · Form F55 appointment · Form F99.1 costs offer.