Shifting fees to be paid by one party to another party. Typically it refers to the action of a court awarding legal costs associated with something from one party to another. For example, a court may award legal costs of the successful party to a lawsuit upon the losing party to the lawsuit (so that the losing party must pay both its own legal costs as well as the attorneys’ fees and costs of the winning party.) See also “cost shifting” – often used concerning legal issues surrounding electronic evidence and discovery.