Opinion ID: 1452606
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: aguirre's quest for counsel-fee award and costs

Text: Although Aguirre was the victorious party in the Court of Civil Appeals, his claim for appeal-related counsel-fee award and costs was left unaddressed by that court. He now seeks the same relief from this court, together with certiorari-related legal expenses. Much like taxable costs, counsel fees for appeal-related services may be judicially authorized in the case in which the services were performed. [17] Aguirre may be allowed a counsel-fee award if his plea for that award falls into one or more categories enumerated in 12 O.S.1991 § 936. [18] BMC's petition framed its action as one for care and services rendered to Aguirre on an open account. [19] The trial court treated BMC's claim as an action within the meaning of § 936 [20] and awarded it counsel fees as the prevailing party [plaintiff] in the case. [21] Where, as here, there is statutory authority to allow an attorney's fee at the trial level, additional fees may be assessed for legal services rendered in an appellate court. [22] On remand, upon due notice and adversarial hearing, the trial court is accordingly authorized to allow the victorious defendant a reasonable counsel-fee award for services rendered not only in the trial court, but also for those that are incident to appeal and certiorari, together with taxable costs in the nisi prius action. [23] Costs in this court shall stand taxed to BMC.