What do "costs" refer to in the context of a legal proceeding?

In the context of a legal proceeding, "costs" refer to the expenses associated with conducting a trial or legal process. This encompasses a variety of financial outlays including court filing fees, costs for serving documents, expenses for expert witnesses, and other fees required to effectively manage a case. Understanding this term is crucial as it highlights the financial implications of litigation beyond just attorney fees or potential fines.

The incorrect options focus on different aspects of legal expenses or outcomes. While attorney fees are significant, they are only a subset of the costs involved; therefore, they do not encompass the full scope of what costs mean in legal terms. The amount awarded to the winner relates to potential damages or compensation rather than the expenses incurred during the legal process. Fines imposed by the court are punitive measures rather than costs associated with a trial, further emphasizing that "costs" specifically refer to the expenses required to facilitate the trial itself.