The Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Revision) 1980

When a party may enter judgment for costs without an order

10.—(1) Where a plaintiff by notice in writing and without leave either wholly discontinues his action against any defendant or withdraws any particular claim made by him therein against any defendant, the defendant may tax his costs of the action or his costs occasioned by the matter withdrawn, as the case may be, and, if the taxed costs are not paid within 4 days after taxation, may enter judgment for them.

(2) If a plaintiff accepts money paid into court in satisfaction of the cause of action, or all the causes of action, in respect of which he claims, or if he accepts a sum or sums paid in respect of one or more specified causes of action and gives notice that he abandons the others, then subject to paragraph (4), he may, after 4 days from payment out and unless the Court otherwise orders, tax his costs incurred to the time of receipt of the notice of payment into court and 48 hours after taxation may enter judgment for his taxed costs.

(3) Where a plaintiff in an action for libel or slander against several defendants sued jointly accepts money paid into court by one of the defendants, he may, subject to paragraph (4), tax his costs and enter judgment for them against that defendant in accordance with paragraph (2).

(4) Where money paid into court in an action is accepted by the plaintiff after the trial or hearing has begun, the plaintiff shall not be entitled to tax his costs under paragraph (2) or (3).