Opinion ID: 1957359
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Counsel Fees and Costs

Text: Mr. McDermott filed an answer and a counter/amended complaint in June 2003 seeking attorneys' fees and suit costs as well as addressing custody and support issues. The circuit court did not sign an order specifically responding to this filing, but it can be concluded that in awarding custody to the Doughertys, the circuit court effectively denied Mr. McDermott's petition for costs and fees. In affirming the circuit court, the Court of Special Appeals mandated that costs were to be paid by appellant (Mr. McDermott). In the present appeal, Mr. McDermott renews his petition for attorney's fees and suit costs (which said costs would include reimbursement of the charges for preparation of the trial's transcript). We note that Md.Code (1984, 1999 Repl.Vol., 2004 Supp.), § 12-103 of the Family Law Article provides for the award of costs and counsel fees in some child custody and support actions. [48] We observe that discretion in awarding counsel fees rests with the trial court and the award of counsel fees must be based upon the statutory criteria and the facts of the case. Jackson v. Jackson, 272 Md. 107, 112, 321 A.2d 162, 166 (1974); see also Turner v. Turner, 147 Md.App. 350, 413, 809 A.2d 18, 55 (2002) (remanding, inter alia, the issue of counsel fees in marriage dissolution case to the circuit court to consider the issue of attorney's fees based on accurate factual underpinnings). Accordingly, the trial court must determine the issue of counsel fees upon remand. Mr. McDermott's request for an award of the cost of the trial transcripts is a related, though less frequently examined issue, and must be addressed in the context of suit costs. Md. Rule 2-603, in regard to costs pursuant to judgment in civil actions, provides: (a) Allowance and allocation. Unless otherwise provided by rule, law, or order of court, the prevailing party is entitled to costs. The court, by order, may allocate costs among the parties. Additionally, Title 8 of the Maryland Rules, governing Appellate Review in the Court of Appeals and Court of Special Appeals specifically addresses the issue of transcript preparation and transcript costs. Md. Rule 8-411 provides: (a) Ordering of transcript. Unless a copy of the transcript is already on file, the appellant shall order in writing from the court stenographer a transcript containing: (1) a transcription of (A) all the testimony or (B) that part of the testimony that the parties agree, by written stipulation filed with the clerk of the lower court, is necessary for the appeal or (C) that part of the testimony ordered by the Court pursuant to Rule 8-206(d) or directed by the lower court in an order; and (2) a transcription of any proceeding relevant to the appeal that was recorded pursuant to Rule 16-404 e. (b) Time for ordering. The appellant shall order the transcript within ten days after: (1) the date of an order entered pursuant to Rule 8-206(a)(1) that the appeal proceed without a prehearing conference, or an order entered pursuant to Rule 8-206(d) following a prehearing conference, unless a different time is fixed by that order, in all civil actions specified in Rule 8-205(a), or (2) the date the first notice of appeal is filed in all other actions. (c) Filing and service. The appellant shall (1) file a copy of the written order to the stenographer with the clerk of the lower court for inclusion in the record, (2) cause the original transcript to be filed promptly by the court reporter with the clerk of the lower court for inclusion in the record, and (3) promptly serve a copy on the appellee. Md. Rule 8-607(a), governing assessment of costs provides, in part: (a) Allowance and allocation. Unless the Court orders otherwise, the prevailing party is entitled to costs. The Court, by order, may allocate costs among the parties. Md. Rule 8-608, addresses the computation of costs: (a) Costs generally allowed. The Clerk shall include in the costs the allowance determined pursuant to section (c) of this Rule for reproducing the briefs, the record extract, and any necessary appendices to briefs and any other costs prescribed by these rules or other law. Unless the case is in the Court of Appeals and was previously heard and decided by the Court of Special Appeals, the Clerk shall also include the amount paid by or on behalf of the appellant for the original and the copies of the stenographic transcript of testimony furnished pursuant to section (a) of Rule 8-411. If the transcript was paid for by the Office of the Public Defender, the Clerk shall so state. (b) Costs generally excluded. Unless the Court orders otherwise, the Clerk shall exclude from the costs the costs of reproducing the record if it was reproduced without order of the Court. (c) Allowance for reproduction. The Clerk shall determine the allowance for reproduction by multiplying the number of pages in the briefs, the record extract, and any necessary appendices to briefs by the standard page rate established from time to time by the Court of Appeals. Accordingly, based on the fact that Mr. McDermott sought a transcript of the circuit court proceedings in order to prosecute his appeal, the costs incurred in obtaining that transcript are considered costs of his suit.