Costs

Hungary

In this case study on commercial law – contract, Member States were asked to advise the seller on litigation costs in order to consider the following situations: Case A – National situation: A company delivered goods worth 20.000 euros. The seller has not been paid because the buyer considers that the goods do not conform to what was agreed. The seller decides to sue to obtain the full payment of the price. Case B – Transnational situation: A company whose head office is located in Member State B delivers goods worth 20.000 euros to buyer in Member State A. The contract is subject to Member State B’s law and written in Member State B’s language. This seller has not been paid because the buyer located in Member State A considers that the goods do not conform to what was agreed. The seller decides to sue in Member State A to obtain full payment of the price as provided under the contract with the buyer.

Costs in Hungary

Costs of alternative dispute resolution (ADR)

Case study	Alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
	Is such an option available for this type of case?	Costs
Case A	Yes	As agreed by the parties and the mediator. Anyone involved in new or on-going proceedings may request mediation at the court, which is free of charge.
Case B	Yes	As agreed by the parties and the mediator. Anyone involved in new or on-going proceedings may request mediation at the court, which is free of charge.

Attorney, bailiff and expert fees

Case study	Attorney		Bailiff	Expert
	Is legal representation compulsory?	Average costs	Is legal representation compulsory?	Must it be made use of?	Costs
Case A	No	As agreed by the client and the attorney.	No	No The court shall appoint an expert at the request of the party providing evidence, except where it may initiate the taking of evidence ex officio. Either of the parties may also submit the opinions of private experts.	The expert generally determines his/her own fee. If the court orders the taking of evidence ex officio, the fee is established pursuant to the relevant legislation in force.
Case B	Yes. The general courts have jurisdiction to rule on claims relating to international agreements on the carriage and forwarding of goods (Section 23(1)(d) of Act III of 1952 on civil procedure), and legal representation is mandatory at all stages of lawsuits under the first instance jurisdiction of general courts, as well as during appeals, unless the case falls under an exclusion clause (Section 73/A(1)(b) of Act III of 1952).	As agreed by the client and the attorney.	No	No The court shall appoint an expert at the request of the party providing evidence, except where it may initiate the taking of evidence ex officio. Either of the parties may also submit the opinions of private experts.	The expert determines his/her fee. If the court orders the taking of evidence ex officio, the fee is established pursuant to the relevant legislation in force.

Witness compensation

Case study	Witness compensation
	Are witnesses eligible for compensation?	Costs
Case A	Yes	Witness compensation is regulated by law. Witnesses are entitled to reimbursement of their travel, accommodation and subsistence costs, and compensation for their period of absence from work.
Case B	Yes	Witness compensation is regulated by law. Witnesses are entitled to reimbursement of their travel, accommodation and subsistence costs, and compensation for their period of absence from work.

Costs for legal aid

Case study	Legal aid
	When and under what conditions is it applicable?
Case A	Economic operators are not entitled to legal aid.
Case B	Economic operators are not entitled to legal aid.

Costs for translation and interpretation

Case study	Translation		Interpretation
	When and under what conditions is it required?	Approximate cost	When and under what conditions is it required?	Approximate cost
Case A	If a party does not speak or understand Hungarian.	The translator determines his/her fee. The fee is calculated based on the character count (approx. HUF 5 per character), the deadline and the source language. Translation costs incurred in connection with evidence provided and submissions made by parties entitled to use their native, regional or minority language during civil proceedings are paid in advance on their behalf by the State. These costs are subsequently governed by the provisions on the recovery of legal costs.	If a party does not speak or understand Hungarian.	The interpreter determines his/her fee. The hourly fee depends on the language used. Approximately HUF 10 000 – 12 000 per hour. The State bears or pays in advance the interpreter's fees in cases where interpreting is mandated by law.
Case B	If a party does not speak or understand Hungarian.	The translator determines his/her fee. The fee is calculated based on the character count (approx. HUF 5 per character), the deadline and the source language. Translation costs incurred in connection with evidence provided and submissions made by parties entitled to use their native, regional or minority language during civil proceedings are paid in advance on their behalf by the State. These costs are subsequently governed by the provisions on the recovery of legal costs.	If a party does not speak or understand Hungarian.	The interpreter determines his/her fee. The hourly fee depends on the language used. Approximately HUF 10 000 – 12 000 per hour. The State bears or pays in advance the interpreter's fees in cases where interpreting is mandated by law.

Last update: 11/08/2022

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.