Article 54

1. The taking of evidence by the Office may be made conditional upon deposit with it, by the party who has requested the evidence to be taken, of a sum which shall be fixed by reference to an estimate of the costs.

2. Witnesses and experts who are summoned by and appear before the Office shall be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses for travel and subsistence where such expenses are incurred. An advance for such expenses may be granted to them by the Office.

3. Witnesses entitled to reimbursement pursuant to paragraph 2 shall also be entitled to appropriate compensation for loss of earnings, and experts to fees for their work. That compensation shall be paid to the witnesses and experts after they have fulfilled their duties or tasks, where such witnesses and experts have been summoned by the Office of its own initiative.

4. The amounts and advances for expenses to be paid pursuant to paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall be determined by the Executive Director and shall be published in the Official Journal of the Office. The amounts shall be calculated on the same basis as laid down in the Staff Regulations of the Officials of the Union and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the Union, laid down in Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 [11] and Annex VII thereto.

5. Liability for the amounts due or paid pursuant to paragraphs 1 to 4 shall lie with:

(a) the Office where it, at its own initiative, has summoned the witnesses or experts;

(b) the party concerned where that party has requested the giving of oral evidence by witnesses or experts, subject to the decision on apportionment and fixing of costs pursuant to Articles 109 and 110 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 and Article 18 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/626. Such party shall reimburse the Office for any advances duly paid.

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[11]  Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 of the Council of 29 February 1968 laying down the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities and instituting special measures temporarily applicable to officials of the Commission (Conditions of Employment of Other Servants) (OJ L 56, 4.3.1968, p. 1).