(1)A taxing officer who receives an application under section 3 must assess the costs to which the application relates (except in so far as they are to be assessed by another officer as a result of section 5).
(2)Subsection (1) does not apply in the case of an application within section 3(1)(b) if—
(a)before the application is made, judgment is obtained in proceedings for the recovery of the costs, or
(b)the application is made after the end of the period of six months beginning with the day on which the bill of costs is delivered, sent or left in accordance with section 3(2).
(3)But if, in the case of an application within section 3(1)(b) made after the end of that period, the taxing officer informs his responsible officer of special circumstances, the responsible officer may, having regard to that information, direct the taxing officer to assess the costs to which the application relates.