The judge decides if one party must pay the costs of the lawsuit for the other party. Your judgment can include fees paid to the Marshal and the Court. Your judgment will not include fees paid to the special process server to serve the defendant. See SCR-SC 15(a). Certain judgments include payment of interest on the amount owed. See DC Code § 15-109. The judgment interest rate is the legal or statutory rate of interest, unless the claim is based on a contract that states another rate. The legal or statutory interest rate is available in the Small Claims Clerk’s Office (Court Building B, Room 120) and on the internet at http://www.dccourts.gov/dccourts/superior/civil/index.jsp. Judgments against the District of Columbia or its employees or officers can not include an interest rate of more than 4% per year. If the action is based on a contract, the judgment interest rate is the rate stated in the contract, from the date it was due and payable, until paid. See DC Code §§ 28-3302 and 15-108.