When can a court award costs to a party?

The court has a broad discretion to award costs to a party, primarily based on the principle that the losing party should generally bear the costs of the winning party. This discretion allows the court to consider various factors and determine what is appropriate in the specific context of the case. The standard practice following a judgment or resolution of a case, such as a settlement, is for the court to issue costs orders as deemed appropriate and just.

This approach acknowledges the need for fairness in litigation and seeks to ensure that parties who prevail in a case are compensated for the expenses incurred during the legal process. The court's decision may take into account the conduct of all parties during the proceedings, including any attempts at settlement and the overall strategy employed in the litigation.

In contrast, other options present limitations or specific circumstances that do not universally apply. For instance, the awarding of costs does not necessarily depend on the presence of a jury, as costs can be awarded in both jury trials and judge-only trials. Furthermore, while a party failing to appear in court might typically result in a default judgment, it is not a sole criterion for cost awards, which are contingent on the outcome of the case. Finally, successful appeals can lead to cost awards, but this situation is a subset of