A request to recover court costs should show that the expense was actually incurred, connected with the case and reasonable in amount. A favourable judgment does not by itself prove every claimed figure. The court considers the procedural rules, the result of the case and the evidence submitted by the parties.
What may count as court costs?
Russian procedural law distinguishes state duty from litigation-related expenses. The Supreme Court explains that the statutory lists of recoverable expenses are not exhaustive, but an expense must be necessary and connected with the consideration of the case. In a mandatory pre-trial procedure, necessary expenses incurred to comply with that procedure may also qualify.
Evidence to attach
- the agreement or other basis for the service;
- payment documents and, where relevant, documents confirming that the service was performed;
- a clear calculation of each amount requested;
- documents showing the connection between the expense and the particular case or procedural stage.
Actual payment
Provide reliable documents rather than a general statement that services were ordered.
Case connection
Explain why the expense was required for this dispute or procedural step.
Reasonableness
Address the amount and the scope of work in a proportionate, documented way.
Frequent problems
Applications often fail or are reduced because the documents do not match the requested amount, the calculation is unclear, the expense is not linked to the case, or the application relies on a generic description of representative services. The court may reduce an amount that is clearly unreasonable on the evidence, but it should not do so arbitrarily.
Which court and when?
The appropriate procedure, deadline and form depend on whether the matter was heard under the Civil Procedure Code, the Arbitrazh Procedure Code or the Administrative Procedure Code, and on the procedural history. Check the current code rules and the relevant case file before filing.
Legal framework
The main framework includes Article 110 of the Arbitrazh Procedure Code and the comparable rules in other procedural codes, together with Supreme Court Plenum Resolution No. 1 of 21 January 2016. Current procedural wording and case-law guidance should be checked for a live dispute.