ECJ Order – Civil service – Duty to provide assistance – Articles 12a and 24 of the Staff Regulations – Psychological harassment by a hierarchical superior – Production of a confidential document – Article 44(2) of the Rules of Procedure Citations: F-42/10, [2011] EUECJ F-42/10 Links: Bailii Cited by: Order – Skareby v Commission (Civil … Continue reading Skareby v Commission (Civil Service): ECJ 6 Apr 2011
The Court of Appeal will normally identify in advance those cases where it expected to apply a summary assessment of costs and at which a statement of costs would be required, though parties may propose such an assessment. Citations: Times 26-Apr-1999 Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules Part 44 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Litigation Practice Updated: 11 … Continue reading Practice Note (Court of Appeal Civil Division: Assessment of Costs): CA 26 Apr 1999
‘The thinking behind the CPR was that they would speak for themselves and that courts would not have to refer to an ever increasing body of authority in order to apply them.’ Citations: [2003] EWCA Civ 205, [2003] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 146 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 44.3 44.4 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: … Continue reading ABCI v Banque Franco-Tunisienne and others: CA 27 Feb 2003
The court has a wide discretion whether to order the assessment of costs on an indemnity basis and the court of Appeal will rarely disturb the judge’s order as to costs.Judge LJ said: ‘By treating the absence of allocation to track as conclusive in my judgment District Judge Jenkins misdirected himself. The omission may have … Continue reading Voice and Script International Ltd v Alghafar: CA 8 May 2003
The claim had been settled before action, and costs only proceedings had been instigated. He appealed a decision as to the award of costs in that case. The question was whether the phrase ‘the proceedings which gave rise to the assessment proceedings’ referred to the only actual proceedings, the costs claim, or to the settled … Continue reading Crosbie v Munroe, Motor Insurer’s Bureau: CA 14 Mar 2003
A copyright infringement case had been settled, but the court was to quantify and apportion costs. Some andpound;700,000 having been spent when the damages amounted to andpound;10,000. Held: Denne did not oust the court’s jurisdiction to hear an appeal. It is not open to the appellant to complain that the judge set out to do … Continue reading BCT Software Solutions Ltd v C Brewer and Sons Ltd: CA 11 Jul 2003
The parties had litigated the sale of land free of restrictive covenants. Held: The rule that a party was entilted to its costs of defending an action under the Act for the discharge of a covenant at least as far as was necessary for it to have been able to establish whether it was proper … Continue reading University of East London Higher Education Corporation v London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and others: ChD 14 Dec 2004
The claimant had appealed a judgment against her. The court itself recommended that the parties use a method of alternate dispute resolution, to avoid the need for appeal. The defendant refused, not wishing to make any payment over and above the offer it had already made. Held: The defendant, otherwise successful on appeal, should be … Continue reading Dunnett v Railtrack plc: CA 22 Feb 2002
After a substantial personal injury case, the parties now disputed who should bear the costs of the costs assessment which had itself lasted 8 days. Held: Though the defendant had indeed managed to achieve a reduction in its liability on costs, that reduction was modest and nothing like what it had set out to achieve. … Continue reading Bold v Urbisity Ltd: QBD 13 Oct 2010
The claimants appealed against a reduction in their costs awards after succeeding in their claims arising from road traffic incidents. The judge had awarded them only 60% of their costs and they appealed submitting that there was no reason why they should not get 100%. Held: The appeal succeeded. It was the defendant insurers allegations … Continue reading Hall and others v Stone: CA 18 Dec 2007
The client challenged his opponent’s solicitors bill of costs, saying that the other side had not been given an estimate of costs. The solicitor acted on several matters for the client and had not given a formal estmate. Held: The absence of the estimate should not deprive the solicitor of payment for the work undertaken … Continue reading Garbutt and Another v Edwards and Another: CA 27 Oct 2005
Appeal from refusal of total disallowance of costs on assessment after very long delay. Judges: Warren J Citations: [2005] EWHC 1643 (Ch), [2005] 4 Costs LR 688 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 44.14 47 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 01 July 2022; Ref: scu.229013
Each side had succeeded in part on their claims and counterclaims, but the Respondent was andpound;5,000 out of pocket. Each party had been ordered to pay the costs of the other. Held: The appeal succeeded. The judge had correctly recognised the difficulty of settling costs on an issue by issue basis, but should have considered … Continue reading Burchell v Bullard and others: CA 8 Apr 2005
The court found no reason why the courts should apportion costs on a case in accordance with the degree of fault found in a collision giving rise to a claim. Judges: Aikens J Citations: [2008] EWHC 1880 (Admlty), Times 20-Oct-2008 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 44.3(2)(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Transport, Costs, Civil Procedure … Continue reading Maritime Inc (Krysia) v Intership Ltd: Adct 1 Aug 2008
The appellant sought permission to appeal out of time against a costs order. The claimant said he had submitted a notice of appeal, but the court had no trace of it, and the cheque had not been encashed. Held: Looking at the merits of the appeal, the argument now sought to be used had been … Continue reading Jobson v Record and Another: CA 17 Aug 2005
The claimant sought payment as part of its costs of the legal expenses insurance premium it had paid in the period between April 1 and July 2000. The respondent said it had not complied with the rules. This was required by the Act. Held: The Act came into effect on April 1st, but the rules … Continue reading Inline Logistics Ltd v UCI Logistics Ltd: CA 27 Mar 2002
Judges: Lindsay J Citations: [2004] EWHC 63 (Ch), HCO100644 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 44 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Ford v GKR Construction and Others CA 22-Oct-1999 Where a party wished to put the other at risk of payment of costs by the making of an offer, it was vital that … Continue reading Douglas and others v Hello! Ltd and others: ChD 23 Jan 2004
It had been argued by the claimant in written submissions (although not maintained orally) that an order for payment of pre-judgment interest on costs should never be made. As to an award of interest on costs:- ‘In any event in principle there seems no reason why the Court should not do so where a party … Continue reading Bim Kemi Ab v Blackburn Chemicals Ltd: CA 24 Jun 2003
The defendant appealed an order that it should pay interest on the costs of the claimant from a date in 1994 when interim judgement had been given, even though damages were finally assessed only in 2001, and the costs had not yet been incurred. Held: The court had not had referred to it the provisions … Continue reading Powell v Herefordshire Health Authority: CA 27 Nov 2002
The defendant firm of solicitors appealed an order for costs against it based upon a percentage calculation. They sought an issues based costs order. Held: Where there was insufficient information upon which to calculate an issues based costs order, it could be appropriate to make a percentage based order under subsection (f). Whilst issues based … Continue reading Budgen v Andrew Gardner Partnership: CA 31 Jul 2002
Litigation had followed an accident. The claimant, a passenger, sought and won damages for personal injuries. He had taken out legal expenses insurance, and at dispute was the recovery of the cost of that insurance. He had been unaware of having the insurance and had also paid out for after the event insurance. He sought … Continue reading Sarwar v Alam: CA 19 Sep 2001
The claimant had won her case, but been deprived of her costs. She claimed for conversion after she had purchased a car without knowledge of it having been on hire purchase, and after it was seized by the finance company. The judge had considered that she should have been suspicious. Held: The judge had found … Continue reading Hall v Rover Financial Services (GB) Ltd (t/a Land Rover Financial Services): CA 10 Oct 2002
When a claimant commenced litigating several issues, but succeeded only on some of the them, the rule allowing an award of costs to the generally successful party was not dependent upon questions of whether the party was reasonable to have raised them. The reasonableness of pursuing a point was not necessarily relevant. The sub-paragraph was … Continue reading Stocznia Gdanska SA v Latvian Shipping Company and Others: ComC 25 May 2001
The landlord sought an injunction against the defendant. The defendant countered, relying upon sec 2(1). Held: The remedy provided by the section was limited to the award of damages. It could not, therefore, be used to defend an action for an injunction. Whilst he might be entitled in equity to repudiate the lease, he could … Continue reading Inntrepreneur Pub Company (CPC) and Another v Sweeney: ChD 27 May 2002
(Practice Note) The solicitor appealed an order which made the success fee payable different at different stages of the court action. Held: The court had no power to make such an order. To the extent that the CPR might suggest otherwise they were wrong. ‘a practice direction has no legislative force. Practice directions provide invaluable … Continue reading KU (A Child) v Liverpool City Council: CA 27 Apr 2005
This appeal concerns CPR 44.16, which deals (as its heading indicates) with ‘Exceptions to one-way costs shifting where permission required’ Judges: Lewison, Beatson, Newey LJJ Citations: [2017] EWCA Civ 1696 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 44.16(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs, Civil Procedure Rules Updated: 01 April 2022; Ref: scu.598464
Parties had fought each other in wide ranging litigation. The claimant found covert surveillance devices in his home, and discovered evidence that the defendant may have information as to who had placed them. Earlier orders had been made for the disclosure of some information. The party opposing the claimant in the ongoing litigation then applied … Continue reading Coward v Harraden: QBD 2 Dec 2011
The claimant had succeeded in an action against her legally aided opponent, but then delayed in making her claim for costs against the respondent. The costs judge said that the CPR did not apply, and that he had no discretion to extend the time limit. The claimant said that a costs judge could extend the … Continue reading Floyd and Another v Legal Services Commission: QBD 28 Apr 2010
The court had made an order removing one executor, though with no criticism. It now considered its order for costs, all parties seeking costs in their favour. Held: The two personal representatives could not be expected to continue to work together, and at least one must go. Master Matthews said: ‘there are not two sets … Continue reading Jones v Longley and Others: ChD 20 Nov 2015
The normal rules as to costs contained in the CPR should also be followed in probate actions save only that the judge should also take account of the guidance in the Spiers case, where an alternative costs order might be made if the testator or those interested in the residue had been the cause of … Continue reading In re Good, deceased; Carapeto v Good and Others: ChD 19 Apr 2002
Ruling on applications for payments on account of costs pursuant to CPR 44.2(8). Leggatt J [2015] EWHC 404 (Comm) Bailii Civil Procedure Rules 44.2(8) Costs Updated: 28 December 2021; Ref: scu.543099
The respondent had been ordered to pay costs of over pounds 16,000 in an action for clinical negligence where the final award was only pounds 4,000. The Secretary of State appealed claiming that the costs were disproportionate. Held: In such cases the court must undertake a two stage examination. First it should look at the … Continue reading Home Office v Lownds (Practice Note): CA 21 Mar 2002
The claimant appealed against the level of costs awarded to him in succeeding in his claim for damages for personal injury following a road traffic accident. The court had found that though the claimant had succeeded, the substantial dispute had been as to the level of damages where he had been less successful, and had … Continue reading Gregson v Hussein, CIS Insurance: CA 9 Feb 2010
Walker v Wilshire still Good Law After successfully appealing, the defendant claimant argued for a substantial part of its costs, saying that the defendant had unreasonably refused ADR. To pursue this, it now sought disclosure of the details of the without prejudice negotiations between them. Held: No distinction is to be made between party-to-party negotiations … Continue reading Reed Executive Plc, Reed Solutions Plc v Reed Business Information Ltd, Reed Elsevier (Uk) Ltd, Totaljobs.Com Ltd: CA 14 Jul 2004
The applicant publisher said that the finding against it of breach of confidence and the system of success fees infringed it Article 10 rights to freedom of speech. It had published an article about a model’s attendance at Narcotics anonymous meetings. Held: The finding of a breach of confidence against the applicant amounted to an … Continue reading MGN Limited v United Kingdom: ECHR 18 Jan 2011
The respondent operated a web site which contained a chat room. Defamatory remarks were made by a third party through the chat room, and the claimant sought details of the identity of the poster. The respondent refused to do so without a court order. One was applied for, and the claimant was given the information … Continue reading Totalise Plc v The Motley Fool Limited and Interative Investor Limited (2): CA 19 Dec 2001
The court considered how orders for costs were to be made in ‘big money’ cases.
Held: There were two sets of rules. Cases should be considered by first applying the Civil Procedure Rules. This would allow the court to consider the full range . .
The claimant had been convicted in 2005 of an offence under the 1984 Act. It later became clear that the Act failed properly to implement a European Directive and was unenforceable. The company now sought leave to appeal out of time. The case was heard along with the case of Budimir. Citations: [2010] EWHC 1604 … Continue reading Interfact Ltd v Liverpool City Council: Admn 29 Jun 2010
(High Court of Australia) The court considered the law on the effect of mental incapacity on a contract in the two cases Imperial Loan, and Molton v Camroux: ‘The principle of the decision seems, however, to be the same in both cases, which, in our judgment, establish that a contract made by a person actually … Continue reading McLaughlin v Daily Telegraph Newspaper Co. Ltd: 15 Jul 1904
Citations: Unreported, 15 March 2002 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Sisu Capital Fund Ltd and others v Tucker and others 28-Oct-2005 The Defendants were accountants who had been sued through their partnership in KPMG. They had been granted a order for their costs. They sought payment for the time they had spent … Continue reading Amec Process and Energy Ltd v Stork Engineers and Contractors Bv (A Company Registered In the Netherlands) (No 3): 15 Mar 2002
The defendant appealed against interim costs orders made in the claim against it for defamation. Held: The general power of cost capping measures available to courts were available also in defamation proceedings. The claimant was being represented under a conditional fee agreement. The court considered that the amount of costs being incurred served to act … Continue reading King v Telegraph Group Ltd: CA 18 May 2004
The defendant’s witness statement referred to a letter written to him by the defendant’s solicitor. The claimant appealed refusal of an order for its disclosure. Held: The appeal failed. The letter was protected by legal professional privilege, and its mention in a statement did not automatically amount to waiver of that privilege. The rules referred … Continue reading Expandable Ltd and Another v Rubin: CA 11 Feb 2008
The applicant had been granted leave to present a petition for judicial review, but on certain grounds only. On the hearing, he sought again to present the case including the grounds upon which permission had not been granted. Held: The judge who heard the substantive application could hear an application based additionally upon grounds rejecetd … Continue reading Regina (Smith, Trevor) v Parole Board: CA 30 Jun 2003
ECHR Article 6Civil proceedingsArticle 6-1Impartial tribunalIndependent tribunalStructural defects of the system of judicial discipline: violationFair hearingAbsence of limitation period for imposing disciplinary penalty on judges and abuse of electronic vote system in Parliament when adopting decision on judge’s dismissal: violationsTribunal established by lawComposition of chamber examining applicant’s case defined by a judge whose term of … Continue reading Oleksandr Volkov v Ukraine: ECHR 9 Jan 2013
The claimant had begun its action complaining of infringement of unregistered design right in the High Court. The defendant applied to have the case heard in the Patents County Court. Held: The current practice, under which such a decision was made by the transferring court was the correct one, and was within the Civil Procedure … Continue reading DKH Retail Ltd v Republic (Retail) Ltd: ChD 3 Apr 2012
The respondent sought to appeal. The claimant requested the court to order that as a pre-condition of being allowed to appeal, the respondent should pay into court, or give adequate security for, the costs awarded at first instance, even though there was no evidence that a vigorously followed enforcement would not succeed if the appeal … Continue reading Bell Electric Ltd v Aweco Appliance Systems Gmbh and Co Kg (1501): CA 31 Oct 2002
Where a patentee sues for infringement and then discontinues his claim against the alleged infringer and consents to the revocation of his patent, he may yet require the alleged infringer to pay a substantial proportion of his costs if he can show that this situation came about because the alleged infringer had amended his defence … Continue reading Baird v Moule’s Patent Earth Closet Co Ltd: CA 3 Feb 1876
EAT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Parties The Claimant brought proceedings against the First Respondents under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, partly arising out of alleged harassment by the Appellant, a former colleague. She advanced no claim against the Appellant and made it clear that she had no wish to do so; but the First Respondents … Continue reading Beresford v Sovereign House Estates and Another: EAT 29 Nov 2011
The claimant had purchased the interests of a failed Formula One car racing team, including, it said, the right to enter a team in Formula One races. It claimed to have been unlawfully excluded from racing. Held: The claimant had failed to comply with the requirements imposed upon participants, and was not entitled to race. … Continue reading Phoenix Finance Limited v Federation Internationale De L’automobile, Formula One Management Limited, Formula One Administration Limited: ChD 22 May 2002
An application was made to vary a disclosure order. The application raised a question as to the scope of CPR Part 33.6 and the relationship between that provision, Part 31.5(2) and Part 31.19, and the exercise of the powers conferred on the Court by Part 31.5(2) and Part 31.19. Held: CPR 31.5(2) empowers the court … Continue reading Serious Organised Crime Agency v Namli and Another: CA 29 Nov 2011
The parties had litigated the validity of a patent. Judges: Lord Neuberger MR, Aikens, Lewison LJJ Citations: [2011] EWCA Civ 1288 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Baird v Moule’s Patent Earth Closet Co Ltd CA 3-Feb-1876 Where a patentee sues for infringement and then discontinues his claim against the alleged infringer … Continue reading Fresenius Kabi Deutschland Gmbh and Others v Carefusion 303 Inc: CA 8 Nov 2011
The claimant alleged that the defendant, the chief executive of the Law Society had slandered him in a conversation with another senior lawyer. The claimant now sought summary judgment against the claimant, saying that the defence had no realistic prospect of success. Held: The claim was dismissed as an abuse. Whilst the alleged libel was … Continue reading Kordowski v Hudson: QBD 21 Oct 2011
The applicant had been sentenced to nine months imprisonment for having broken his undertaking to the Court. He appealed against that sentence. The other party also sought to appeal other parts of the order. Held: An appeal limited to the sentencing part of a committal for contempt did not require leave to appeal, being as … Continue reading London Borough of Barnet v Hurst: CA 17 Jul 2002
The appellant landlords appealed against the award of damages to their former tenants under the 1985 and 1972 Acts. The judge had proceeded to hear the case in their absence. Held: The court considered whether the appellants should instead have applied to have the judgments set aside. Judges: Moore-Bick, Gross LJJ Citations: [2011] EWCA Civ … Continue reading Williams and Another v Hinton and Another: CA 14 Oct 2011
The claimant alleged defamation by the defendant in an article regarding her expenses claims as an MP. She appealed against summary judgment in favour of the defence in their pleaded defence of honest comment. Held: Laws LJ said: ‘The principle identified in Jameel consists in the need to put a stop to defamation proceedings that … Continue reading Lait v Evening Standard Ltd: CA 28 Jul 2011
Common issues relating to the construction of Part 36 of the Civil Procedure Rules and its inter-action with Part 44, which contains general rules about costs, and Section II of Part 45, which contains rules about costs in certain kinds of road traffic accident claims. Judges: Pill, Moore-Bick, Aikens LJJ, Hurst SCJ Citations: [2011] EWCA … Continue reading Solomon v Cromwell Group Plc: CA 19 Dec 2011
The defendant, having been sued for defamation by the claimant social worker pleaded justification and now sought third party disclosure against the hospital involved and against the police of documents which might support the stories it had published. Judges: Eady J Citations: [2011] EWHC 1364 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 31.17 Defamation, Civil … Continue reading Henry v News Group Newspapers Ltd and Others: QBD 26 May 2011
The respondent having successfully defended the claim by the Revenue, now sought its costs on an indemnity basis having made a Part 36 offer. The Revenue responded that Part 36 did not apply to such claims. Judges: Carnwath , Moses LJJ Citations: [2010] EWCA Civ 1448, [2011] STC 547, [2011] BVC 30, [2011] STI 129 … Continue reading Revenue and Customs v Blue Sphere Global Ltd: CA 16 Dec 2010
A rule which deemed service on an asylum applicant two days after postage of a special adjudicator’s determination irrespective of whether it was in fact received was outside the powers given to the Secretary, and is of no effect. The Act gave power to make rules, but the receipt of the determination was fundamental to … Continue reading Saleem v Secretary of State for Home Department: CA 13 Jun 2000
The defendant had made an offer including an offer that each party bear their own costs. A later action led to an order on better terms, and the claimant sought costs on an indemnity basis. Held: The rules were generally incompatible with offers which included costs. Their purpose was to direct costs after a case … Continue reading Mitchell and Others v James and Others: CA 12 Jul 2002
Application for partial or total disallowance of the Claimants’ costs pursuant to rule 44.11(1)(b) of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR); the Defendants allege ‘gross misconduct before and during the proceedings’. Citations: [2019] EWHC B2 (Costs) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 19 August 2022; Ref: scu.641805
The new rules now required a respondent to an application for judicial review, to prepare and file an acknowledgement of service. Where he was successful in defending, or resisting the application for leave, there is no reason in principle why he should not be allowed to recover from the applicant, the costs of steps he … Continue reading Regina (Leach) v Commissioner for Local Administration: QBD 2 Aug 2001
The claimant had been banned from public houses under the Haverhill Pub Watch scheme. He now sought judicial review of a decision to extend his ban for a further two years. The Scheme argued that it was not a body amenable to judicial review, and did not exercise ‘functions of a public nature’; the claimant … Continue reading Boyle, Regina (On the Application of) v Haverhill Pub Watch and Others: Admn 8 Oct 2009
Application made pursuant to CPR 3.9 for relief from sanctions imposed under the rules, in this instance CPR rule 44.3B. Judges: Hildyard J Citations: [2014] EWHC 3414 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 3.9 44.3B Jurisdiction: England and Wales Civil Procedure Rules Updated: 03 August 2022; Ref: scu.537774
Application for leave to appeal. Judges: Wall LJ Citations: [2009] EWCA Civ 754 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 1998 52.3(6) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 30 July 2022; Ref: scu.361447
The claimant complained of an irregularly obtained judgment. The defendant had obtained an amendment to a writ of sequestration in the course of a bitterly fought dispute bewteen the defendant and the owner of the claimant. The judge had found the irregularity proved, but declined to set the order aside. The claimant now said that … Continue reading Tombstone Ltd v Raja and Another; Raja v Van Hoogstraten and others (No 9): CA 17 Dec 2008
The defendant in the main action sought a third party costs order. Judges: Morgan J Citations: [2008] EWHC 192 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 48.2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Thomson v Berkhamsted Collegiate School QBD 2-Oct-2009 Costs were to be sought against third parties to the action. A pupil … Continue reading PR Records Ltd v Vinyl 2000 Limited and others: ChD 15 Jan 2008
Various parties had sought relief in the English courts and in Switzerland after an alleged fraud. There had been a mistake in service of the proceedings in England. The high court had dispensed with service an backdated the effect of the order to pre-date the Swiss proceedings. The court of appeal set aside the backdating … Continue reading Phillips and Another v Symes and others: HL 23 Jan 2008
The claimant sought to add the name of a further claimant. The defendant objected, saying that it was after the expiry of the limitation period. Held: The claimant was seeking to use the rules for substitution of parties to add a party. In defamation law, the claim of each claimant was a single and separate … Continue reading Adelson and Another v Associated Newspapers Ltd: CA 9 Jul 2007
The defendant a serving prisoner sought an adjournment of his extradition to a time closer to the end of the sentence he was to serve in England. Held: The court had sympathy with the argument that where the district judge is being invited to express his satisfaction over matters under section 11 and section 21 … Continue reading United States of America, Regina (on the Application of) v Bow Street Magistrates’ Court: Admn 6 Sep 2006
The Court considered the interpretation of a consent order on an application to vary its terms. The terms were incorporated within a consent order. It was argued that the variation could be based on CPR 3.1(7) which provides that the Court has power to vary or revoke an order. It was also argued that the … Continue reading Weston v Dayman: CA 7 Jun 2006
The defendants had started but abandoned a request against third parties, and had to pay their costs. It now sought those and its own costs from the claimant, saying that the abortive application would have been unnecessary had the claimant complied with its own disclosure obligations. The claimant said the court did not have jurisdiction … Continue reading Environment Agency v Lewin Fryer and Partners: TCC 6 Jul 2006
The claimant wished to bring an action against the defendant enquiry agent, saying that it had obtained unlawful access to details of his bank accounts, and now sought disclosure of documents. The defendant denied wrongdoing, and said it had returned all papers to solicitors. Held: The proposed respondents had not been fully candid, and a … Continue reading Hughes v Carratu International Plc: QBD 19 Jul 2006
The defendants appealed a decision that they had no sufficient reason for not attending court on the day of the trial. Held: The fact that the defendants had a continuing commercial relationship with the claimants was not enough to justify an inference that they should be aware of proceedings served at a former address. In … Continue reading Estate Acquisition and Development Ltd v Wiltshire and Another: CA 4 May 2006
Various cargo owners sought damages against the owners of the ship which had suffered an explosion with the loss of the cargo. The defendants asserted limitation. Some claimants had agreed an extension of time. Proceedings were then issued but served only eventually made with letters claimed to be equivocal. The question was what constituted service. … Continue reading Asia Pacific (Hk) Ltd. and others v Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd (Hanjin Pennsylvania): ComC 7 Nov 2005
The Defendants were accountants who had been sued through their partnership in KPMG. They had been granted a order for their costs. They sought payment for the time they had spent prersonally in preparing their defences. Held: As professionals there was no reason to distinguish the cost to the defendants of resisting the claims in … Continue reading Sisu Capital Fund Ltd and others v Tucker and others: 28 Oct 2005
The claimant licensee alleged that the license contract had been repudiated by the defendant licensor. The claimant succeeded at the trial of liability. The defendant had made a payment into court. The judge was told of the payment but not of the amount. He ordered the defendant to pay the costs of the liability trial … Continue reading HSS Hire Services Group Plc v BMB Builders Merchants Ltd and Another: CA 24 May 2005
The defendants appealed against confiscation orders on the basis that in various ways, the Crown had failed to comply with procedural requirements. Held: The courts must remember the importance of such procedures in the fight against crime, and must not allow procedural or technical failures to defeat that purpose. Courts should rather look to see … Continue reading Sekhon, etc v Regina: CACD 16 Dec 2002
VDT ASSESSMENT – Over-claimed input tax – Work done to a listed building – Whether alteration or repair – Part of work related to private house – Whether VAT reasonable LEGAL COSTS – Appellants ordered by court to pay building societies costs including VAT – Whether that VAT recoverable in hands of the Appellants – … Continue reading Iliffe and Another (T/A Otterton Post Office) v Customs and Excise: VDT 14 Jan 2004
A party will not be allowed to file pleadings which required him to make contradictory statements of truth in a unified claim. The alternative may be for the proceedings to go ahead as separate, non-unified claims. When considering whether there was evidence to support an amendment, the court should apply the same test as for … Continue reading Clarke (executor of the will of Francis Bacon, deceased) v Marlborough Fine Art (London) Ltd and Another: ChD 20 Nov 2001
A defendant sought relief from sanctions for failing to comply with the requirements of an unless order. ‘The application raises the question of the extent to which the Court will grant such relief when a party has failed to comply with a consent order so that the sanction for failure to comply has been imposed … Continue reading Chiu and Others v Waitrose Ltd and Others: TCC 25 May 2011
An application by a scaffolding sub-contractor for disclosure and pre-claim disclosure under CPR Part 31.16. Judges: Akenhead J Citations: [2011] EWHC 2210 (TCC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 31.16 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Civil Procedure Rules Updated: 19 June 2022; Ref: scu.443854
Mrs Nolan had been employed at a US airbase. When it closed, and she was made redundant, she complained that the appellant had not consulted properly on the redundancies. The US denied that it had responsibility to consult, and now appealed. Held: The appeal failed (Lord Carnworth dissenting). That the exact situation might not have … Continue reading The United States of America v Nolan: SC 21 Oct 2015
Claimants sought damages for personal injuries after immunisation with the MMR vaccine. Citations: [2001] EWCA Civ 2027 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Davies v Eli Lilly and Co (Opren Litigation) CA 1987 The powers in the section together with the power to make orders for costs under … Continue reading Afrika and others v Cape Plc and others; X Y Z and Others v Schering health Care Ltd; Sayers and Others v Merck, Smithkline Beecham plc MMR/MR vaccine litigation: CA 21 Dec 2001
The claimants had been imprisoned for many years before their convictions were quashed. They claimed compensation under the Act. The assessor said that there should be deducted from the award the living expenses they would have incurred if they had not been in prison. Held: The statutory scheme replaced an ex gratia scheme, and there … Continue reading Independent Assessor v O’Brien, Hickey, Hickey: CA 29 Jul 2004
The court was asked to decide whether an interim award of damages should be limited to calculations up to the claimant’s sixteenth birthday. Judges: Eady J Citations: [2011] EWHC 1638 (QB), [2011] PIQR P18 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 3.1(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Personal Injury, Damages Updated: 11 June 2022; Ref: scu.441247
In an request for pre-action discovery it was plainly wrong for the court to seek to decide in advance any element of the virtues of the case. Held: The appeal should be allowed. The case was arguable and should be allowed to proceed.Peter Gibson LJ said: ‘We have reservations about the approach adopted by the … Continue reading Rose v Lynx Express Ltd. and Bridgepoint Capital (Nominees) Ltd: CA 7 Apr 2004
In each case claims had been late in being served and extensions in time were sought and refused. Held: The recent authorities were examined. The words ‘has been unable to serve’ in CPR 7.6(3)(a) include all cases where the court has failed to serve, including mere oversight. The court’s discretion might then be exercised according … Continue reading Cranfield and Another v Bridgegrove Ltd; Claussen v Yeates etc: CA 14 May 2003
The case was listed to be heard on the Monday. On the Friday before it had been settled. The court complained of the lawyers that they had not informed the court, and that consequently much of the judge’s time over the weekend had been wasted in preparatrion. The parties must recognise that a judge would … Continue reading Tasyurdu v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 24 Mar 2003
The defendant appealed against an order for rectification of the registered title to land he occupied, and for which he had had a possessory title. The order had been made in his absence. Held: A ‘good reason’ for non attendance at a hearing was not just an honest and genuine one, but the court must … Continue reading Brazil v Brazil: CA 31 Jul 2002
The claimant had applied for and been granted its costs certificate by default. The respondent claimed it had sent its point of issue notice in time. The council now applied under the rule for the court itself to re-open the decision to allow the objections to be made. The High Court acceded to the request. … Continue reading Seray-Wurie v Hackney London Borough Council: CA 25 Jun 2002
The court was asked whether the district judge had applied the right test on an application to set aside a statutory demand because the conclusions of the district judge referred to a real prospect of success, the test used in CPR 24.2, rather than the test of genuine triable issue. Held: The debate as to … Continue reading Kellar v BBR Graphic Engineers (Yorks) Ltd: ChD 2002
The claimant appealed against an order striking out his claim for personal injuries. The claim had been issued in time, but not served. An extension of time was granted, and the notice sent by first class post the day before that period expired. The defendant had claimed that the rules deemed service on the second … Continue reading Godwin v Swindon Borough Council: CA 10 Oct 2001
It was wrong to deprive a party of his costs because only of his failure to serve an appropriate schedule of costs at least 24 hours before the summary assessment hearing. The court should consider first, a brief adjournment, and second whether the case should be stood over for a detailed assessment, and third whether … Continue reading MacDonald v Taree Holdings Ltd: ChD 28 Dec 2000
ECJ National rules embodying a specification contained in a document which lays down the characteristics required of a product, including the requirements applicable to the product as regards labelling, constitute technical specifications within the meaning of Article 1(2) of Directive 83/189 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical … Continue reading Unilever Italia SpA v Central Food SpA: ECJ 26 Sep 2000
Whilst no mention of the basis of costs assessment is made in the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 or the Tribunal Procedure (Upper Tribunal) Rules 2008, the distinction drawn between the standard and indemnity bases by CPR 44.3(1) can properly inform the exercise of discretion by the Immigration and Asylum Chamber of the Upper … Continue reading Butt, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department (Indemnity Costs): UTIAC 4 Feb 2022
The award of costs under Rule 36.21 on an indemnity basis is not intended to be penal, and the court must look at what was fair and reasonable in the circumstances. Lord Woolf said: ‘However, it would be wrong to regard the rule [36.21] as producing penal consequences. An order for indemnity costs does not … Continue reading Petrograde Inc v Texaco Ltd: CA 23 May 2000
Appeal against re-instatement of possession proceedings after failure to attend directions hearing Judges: Sweeney J Citations: [2015] EWHC 441 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 3.9 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing, Litigation Practice Updated: 31 May 2022; Ref: scu.543176
‘The appeal concerns the operation of the qualified one-way costs shifting regime (known as ‘QOCS’) contained in Section II of Part 44 of the Civil Procedure Rules (‘CPR’). The Judge decided that QOCS applied, automatically, to protect Ms Brown against any adverse costs order which might be made against her in the Police’s favour. The … Continue reading Police of The Metropolis v Brown: QBD 31 Jul 2018
The procedure for making a wasted costs order was primarily compensatory, for costs wasted, rather than punitive for malpractice. The procedure is summary, and more in line with applications for costs made under the Civil Procedure Rules rule 44.3, rather than cases involving contempt of court. Usually there is no need for the judge in … Continue reading In re P (a Barrister) (Wasted Costs Order): CACD 23 Jul 2001
