A court which was considering ordering a third party, who was not party to the action, to pay costs in an action, should first be satisfied that it is just to do so in all the circumstances. There is no need to establish any exceptional circumstances. There must be a connection between the incurring of … Continue reading Globe Equities Ltd v Globe Legal Services Ltd and others and Other Actions: CA 5 Mar 1999
Worldlii United States Supreme Court – When the General Counsel for petitioner pharmaceutical manufacturing corporation (hereafter petitioner) was informed that one of its foreign subsidiaries had made questionable payments to foreign government officials in order to secure government business, an internal investigation of such payments was initiated. As part of this investigation, petitioner’s attorneys sent … Continue reading Upjohn Company v United States: 13 Jan 1981
In the course of urgent children proceedings, counsel advised solicitors inappropriately to seek judicial review of a court decision. The application was persisted with despite warnings from the respondents that they intended to seek a wasted costs . .
References: [1981] USSC 7, 449 U.S. 383, 101 S.Ct. 677, 66 L.Ed.2d 584 Links: Worldlii Coram: Justice Rehnqist Worldlii United States Supreme Court – When the General Counsel for petitioner pharmaceutical manufacturing corporation (hereafter petitioner) was informed that one of its foreign subsidiaries had made questionable payments to foreign government officials in order to secure … Continue reading Upjohn Company v United States; 13 Jan 1981
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The court asked whether a dishonest witness, alleged to be a party to a conspiracy to bring a dishonest claim, might be ordered to pay costs. Citations: [2008] EWCA Civ 748, [2008] CP Rep 37 Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 20 December 2022; Ref: scu.270580
Solicitors who unreasonably commence proceedings may be subject to a wasted costs order, but there should be no award of costs against a solicitor solely because he acted without a fee. An award of costs should not be made against a solicitor who had acted for a client in a defamation action which was lost, … Continue reading Tolstoy-Miloslavsky v Aldington: CA 27 Dec 1995
The builders had obtained a charging order for the costs awarded to them in extensive litigation, and a third party costs order but without the third party having opportunity to test the bill delivered. They had agreed to sell land to the defendant, but he had required the transfer to be in a different form … Continue reading Nelson v Greening and Sykes (Builders) Ltd: CA 18 Dec 2007
Judges: David Richards J Citations: [2006] EWHC 1537 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51(3) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 12 November 2022; Ref: scu.243050
A court may make a pre-emptive award of costs to pension fund members who wished to sue the trustees. Hoffmann LJ said: ‘if one looks at the economic relationships involved, there does seem to me to be a compelling analogy between a minority shareholder’s action for damages on behalf of the company and an action … Continue reading McDonald and Others v Horn and Others: CA 8 Aug 1994
The power to make a wasted costs order did not apply only against advocates in court, and not only against the applicant’s own representatives. The test was as to the causing of additional costs. In this case several barristers had been involved at different stages. The defendants asserted that they should have appreciated that there … Continue reading Brown and Another v Bennett and Others (No 2): ChD 16 Nov 2001
Judges: Gibson LJ, Citations: [2002] EWCA Civ 417 Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51, Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 5 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs, Landlord and Tenant Updated: 13 October 2022; Ref: scu.216971
The claimants were involved in a group litigation with regard to the removal of organs without consent from deceased children. The defendant sought an order capping the costs which might be claimed. Held: In GLO cases the desirability of ensuring that costs are kept within bounds makes it unnecessary for the court to require exceptional … Continue reading A B and others v Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust: QBD 9 May 2003
Judges: Turner J Citations: [2002] EWHC 1404 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs, Legal Professions Updated: 16 September 2022; Ref: scu.189161
The court considered the addition of a defendant under the 1981 Act after the main judgment had been unsatisfied on the insolvency of the first defendant. Judges: Andrew Smith J Citations: [2008] EWHC 2287 (Comm), [2009] 1 BCLC 662 Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51 Citing: Cited – Equitas Ltd and Another v … Continue reading Equitas Ltd and Another v Horace Holman and Company Ltd and Another: ComC 3 Oct 2008
Application for third party costs order. Judges: David Richards J Citations: [2008] EWHC 939 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 18 July 2022; Ref: scu.267418
The defendant sought a wasted costs order against the claimant’s solicitors. Judges: Field J Citations: [2007] EWHC 1656 (QB), [2007] PNLR 31 Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51(6) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 17 July 2022; Ref: scu.347410
Mr Comninos challenged the jurisdiction of the court to have made an order for costs made against him. Judges: Simon Brown LJ, Waller LJ, Tuckey LJ Citations: [1999] EWCA Civ 3019, [2000] 1 All ER 37, [1999] 2 All ER (Comm) 673, [2000] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 129, [2000] 1 WLR 603, [2000] Lloyd’s Rep IR … Continue reading Comninos v Prudential Assurance Company Ltd (The Ikarian Reefer no 2): CA 12 Oct 1999
The claimants, a firm of accountants, sued their former clients for unpaid fees. The defendant company counterclaimed for professional negligence. The claimant had expended andpound;5.6m in costs. The claimants now sought a non-party costs order against former directors of the company, which had gone into administration. They said that the company’s counterclaim was built on … Continue reading Chantrey Vellacott v The Convergence Group Plc and others: ChD 31 Jul 2007
Application for indemnity costs after grant of freezing order. Judges: Warren J Citations: [2007] EWHC 469 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Litigation Practice, Costs Updated: 10 July 2022; Ref: scu.250015
Application for third party costs order. Judges: David Richards J Citations: [2006] EWHC 2123 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51(3) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 07 July 2022; Ref: scu.244234
The claimant company had failed in its action. The court was asked to make a costs order personally against the principal director of the claimant who had controlled the litigation and funded it. He responded that no impropriety had been shown on his part to allow such an order. Held: ‘It is not a requirement … Continue reading BE Studios Ltd v Smith and Williamson Ltd: ChD 2 Dec 2005
The defendant firm of solicitors appealed a wasted costs order. Held: The jurisdiction to make a wasted costs order was to be used for breaches of duty to the court. It was not proper to make one where, as here, the failure was merely a failure in a duty to his client to act in … Continue reading Radford and Co v Charles and Another: ChD 5 Nov 2003
The claimant had in the course of proceedings obtained an order requiring an employee of the third party to attend as a witness. That third party now sought to be joined so as to claim its costs. Held: The Act and the rules allowed the court to make an order for costs against a party … Continue reading Individual Homes Ltd v Macbream Investments Ltd: ChD 23 Oct 2002
There was no power to make an order for wasted costs against a solicitor who had not been acting in a matter when proceedings were issued. Delays eventually led to the dismissal of a medical negligence case for limitation. The defendant authority sought their lost costs against the firm. The true test was whether the … Continue reading Byrne v Sefton Health Authority: CA 22 Nov 2001
Costs had been awarded against the third party, the parent company of the defendant. Leave to appeal was sought. Held: It was arguable that the judge had not taken into account properly the interest of the company in protecting the interests of creditors and not just itself. Leave was given. Judges: Kay LJ, Keene LJ … Continue reading Pegler Ltd v Wang (Uk) Ltd and Another: CA 18 Jun 2001
The firm of solicitors challenged a wasted costs order. The order had been made on the basis that they had persisted with a case which the court had told them was misconceived, and had acted despite a conflict of interest. The order had been made under unusual circumstances on appeal from the original costs order. … Continue reading Fitzhugh Gates (A Firm) v Claudia Louise Elaine Borden Sherman: CA 1 Jul 2003
The appeal court had previously remitted a matter to the Restrictive Practices court, having found that the court might be biased. The parties having settled the main litigation, they sought the additional costs incurred by them in correcting what they said was the fault of the court. The Lord Chancellor responded that the parties were … Continue reading Director General of Fair Trading v Proprietary Association of Great Britain and Another: CA 26 Jul 2001
The powers in the section together with the power to make orders for costs under Order 62 of the Rules of the Supreme Court included the power to make a pre-emptive order for costs.Lord Donaldson MR said: ‘In these circumstances the judge decided to make a wholly novel order. In its detail it is of … Continue reading Davies v Eli Lilly and Co (Opren Litigation): CA 1987
A wasted costs order was intended to be a summary procedure and it was not appropriate to make one where the order would require detailed and lengthy investigations. Breach of solicitor’s professional duty to client might also take the issue outside the wasted costs procedure. Citations: Times 03-Aug-1998 Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51(6),(7) Jurisdiction: … Continue reading Turner Page Music v Torres Design Associates Ltd: CA 3 Aug 1998
An English court does have power to order a non-resident non-party to contribute to the costs of a case, where that party was domiciled in a convention country. Here the third party was alleged to be the alter ego of the actual party. There was no requirement to have sued that third party first under … Continue reading National Justice Compania Naviera Sa v Prudential Assurance Co Ltd (No 2): CA 15 Oct 1999
The insurers had conducted the litigation for the defendant under a professional indemnity policy, without objection from the defendant, and the outcome was an award of damages and costs which left part of the costs outside the limit of cover. The limit of cover triggered the section 51 application. The judge decided that the insurers … Continue reading Cormack v Excess Insurance Co Ltd: CA 2002
The defendant’s solicitors appealed an order making them liable for costs in defending an action brought by the landlord. Judges: Butler-Sloss LJ, Morritt LJ, Sedley LJ Citations: [1999] EWCA Civ 3023, [1999] BLR 232, [2000] CPLR 233 Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51(1) 51(3) 51(6) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – … Continue reading Globe Equities Ltd v Globe Legal Services Ltd and others: CA 5 Mar 1999
A section 51 non-party costs application should not be used as a substitute for the pursuit of a related cause of action against the non-party in ordinary proceedings. Nine rules were set out for allowing a costs order against someone who is not a party to the action. Such orders should be exceptional. The normal … Continue reading Symphony Group Plc v Hodgson: CA 4 May 1993
Wide Application of Costs Against Third Party A claim had been made against charterers by the ship owners, and in turn by the charterers against their sub-charterers. Notice of motion were issued after arbitration awards were not accepted. When heard, costs awards were made, which were now appealed. Held: The appeals were allowed. The court’s … Continue reading Aiden Shipping Co Ltd v Interbulk Ltd (The “Vimeira”): HL 1986
When an unsuccessful party has had its legal costs funded under legal expenses insurance, should the insurer be held liable to pay the successful party’s costs? The insurer had not instigated the litigation, nor controlled it, and could not be accused of ‘wanton and officious intermeddling’. The insurance was general and did not relate to … Continue reading Murphy, and Murphy v Young and Co’s Brewery Plc, Sun Alliance and London Insurance Plc: CA 20 Nov 1996
A section 51 application was made because the cover was limited under the defendant’s liability policy and insufficient to pay all the damages, let alone any part of the costs, and the defendant was not worth powder and shot. Nonetheless the claim fell squarely within the cover provided by the policy. It was an insured … Continue reading TGA Chapman Limited; Benson Turner Limited v Christopher and Sun Alliance and London Insurance Plc: CA 8 Jul 1997
The court had jurisdiction under section 51 to order that the costs of administration proceedings overtaken by a compulsory liquidation could be ordered to be treated as costs in the winding-up. Judges: Mervyn Davies J Citations: [1988] BCLC 363 Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Approved – Unadkat and … Continue reading Re Gosscott (Groundworks) Ltd: 1988
An application to order a legal representative to pay under a wasted costs order must specify the improper or negligent behaviour complained of. Citations: Times 26-Mar-1998 Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Legal Professions Updated: 20 April 2022; Ref: scu.88947
Individual local government officers can be made subject to wasted costs orders in appropriate circumstances. Citations: Times 21-Mar-1996 Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51 Costs, Legal Professions, Local Government Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.87099
The Civil Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to award Costs from central funds and they should be made in favour of successful applicants against wasted costs orders in criminal proceedings. Citations: Gazette 08-Jan-1992, [1992] 1 WLR 407, [1992] 2 All ER 642 Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 51(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal … Continue reading Holden and Co v Crown Prosecution Service (No 2); Similar Cases: CA 8 Jan 1992
The solicitor appealed against a wasted costs order made against him. The council had sought possession of a tenanted property, and the solicitors acting for the tenant had applied for a stay of execution on the basis that the original order was over six years old. A further hearing was abortive when a point arose … Continue reading Hallam-Peel and Co v London Borough of Southwark: CA 21 Oct 2008
The House considered the court’s jurisdiction to award costs out of central funds. Held: In this case there was no such power, but: ‘still more important, in the present context, is the special constitutional convention which jealously safeguards the exclusive control exercised by Parliament over both the levying and expenditure of the public revenue. It … Continue reading Steele Ford and Newton v Crown Prosecution Service (No.2): HL 1993
Application for non-party costs order against litigation funder. The third party denied that he was a person against whom an order could be made, and denied his formal involvement in the companies funding the litigation. Held: Such an order must be exceptional, and is not to be made simply because a party has funded the … Continue reading Lingfield Properties (Darlington) Ltd v Padgett Lavender Associates: QBD 18 Nov 2008
A Mr Efremovich, a third party to the action was ordered to pay the costs of Petrobras and Brasoil which on the failure of its claim against them had been ordered to be paid by Petromec. The judge found that Mr Efromovich controlled the proceedings brought by Petromec, funded those proceedings and would have benefited … Continue reading Petromec Inc v Petroleo Brasileiro Sa Petrobras: CA 19 Jul 2006
Guidance for Wasted Costs Orders Guidance was given on the circumstances required for the making of wasted costs orders against legal advisers. A judge invited to make an order arising out of an advocate’s conduct of court proceedings must make full allowance for the fact that an advocate has to make decisions quickly and under … Continue reading Ridehalgh v Horsefield; Allen v Unigate Dairies Ltd: CA 26 Jan 1994
The claimant had lost a libel action and been bankrupted. The defendant sought to recover his costs from those who had financially supported the claimant. He now appealed a dismissal of his request for contributions. Held: An order for the payment of costs by a n’oure funder’ on-party will always be exceptional. ‘Exceptional’ means as … Continue reading Hamilton v Al Fayed and Others (No 2): CA 17 May 2002
Lloyd LJ said: ‘There is only one immutable rule in relation to costs, and that is that there are no immutable rules.’
Lloyd LJ baulked at the suggestion that every director who funded and controlled litigation on behalf of an insolvent company . .
References: [1986] AC 965, [1986] 2 WLR 1051, [1986] 2 All ER 409 Coram: Lord Goff of Chieveley A claim had been made against charterers by the ship owners, and in turn by the charterers against their sub-charterers. Notice of motion were issued after arbitration awards were not accepted. When heard, costs awards were made, … Continue reading Aiden Shipping Co Ltd v Interbulk Ltd (The ‘Vimeira’): HL 1986
The standard of proof in vexatious litigant proceedings is civil not criminal. Even so, because the fundamental rights of the subject are affected by the making of a civil proceedings order, there should be evidence placed before the court that the appropriate law officer has personally considered the papers and has personally authorised the making … Continue reading Attorney General v Hayward: CA 10 Nov 1995
The appeal raised the question whether, when a receiver appointed under a bank charge causes an insolvent company to sue, the action is unsuccessful and the successful party is unable to recover costs against the company, the successful party may recover the costs from the receiver under the jurisdiction in section 51 of the Supreme … Continue reading Mills v Birchall and Another: CA 18 Apr 2008
The claimant sued for breach of trust. The action was re-instated after being struck out for want of prosecution, but in the meantime the defendant had been made bankrupt and then discharged from bankruptcy. An order for costs was then made which the claimant now sought to enforce. Held: The possibility of a future costs … Continue reading Glenister v Rowe: CA 21 Apr 1999
1. The starting point in any consideration undertaken by the Secretary of State (‘the respondent’) as to whether to deprive a person of British citizenship must be made by reference to the rules and policy in force at the time the decision is made. Rule of law values indicate that the respondent is entitled to … Continue reading Hysaj (Deprivation of Citizenship:Delay) Albania: UTIAC 19 Mar 2020
Planning authority could not reserve matters where outline approval given under General Development Order. A three year delay between the decision, and the application for judicial review was an undue delay defeating that application. Undue delay provisions applied particularly in planning cases.Pill LJ observed that ‘a planning permission is contained in a public document which … Continue reading Regina v Newbury District Council and Newbury and District Agricultural Society ex parte Chieveley Parish Council: CA 23 Jul 1998
Application to restrain arbitration. Citations: [2007] EWHC 571 (Comm), [2007] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 8, [2007] 1 CLC 227, [2007] 2 Lloyds Rep 8, [2007] ArbLR 20, [2007] 2 LLR 8 Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 37 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Arbitration Updated: 20 November 2022; Ref: scu.251179
The claimant had produced the Star War films which made use of props, in particular a ‘Stormtrooper’ helmet designed by the defendant. The defendant had then himself distributed models of the designs he had created. The appellant obtained judgment against the respondent in the US for punitive damages, but these had not been collected, and … Continue reading Lucasfilm Ltd and Others v Ainsworth and Another: SC 27 Jul 2011
There is no power for Court of Appeal itself to give leave to appeal after High Court’s refusal of leave on an enforcement notice. The court rejected the applicant’s submission that a High Court judge’s decision refusing permission to appeal under section 289 fell within section 16 of the 1981 Act. The Master of the … Continue reading Huggett v Secretary of State for the Environment Etc; Wendy Fair Markets Ltd v Same; Bello v Etc: CA 1 Mar 1995
The plaintiffs were protesters against Apartheid. The defendant, a political risks consultancy, was to sell a report on the activities of anti-apartheid groups, their relationship with terrorist groups and their intentions. The claimants were concerned that the report might contain material that was defamatory of them and they wish to see it before it was … Continue reading Huddleston v Control Risks: 1987
The first applicant had been chairman of a jury and had expressed his concerns about their behaviour to the second applicant who published them. They were prosecuted under the 1981 Act. They had said that no details of the deliberations had been revealed and that the articles had been general in nature. The main concern … Continue reading Seckerson and Times Newspapers Ltd v The United Kingdom: ECHR 24 Jan 2012
The Court considered the interpretation of the sections which applied corporation tax to post-cessation receipts. Companies had received from the Inland Revenue substantial repayments of VAT together with interest. There had been reorganisations of the group, the company which had made the overpayment did not exist, and the payee of the repayment had only later … Continue reading Shop Direct Group v Revenue and Customs: SC 17 Feb 2016
The claimant alleged complicity by the defendant, (now former) Foreign Secretary, in his mistreatment by the US while held in Libya. He also alleged involvement in his unlawful abduction and removal to Libya, from which had had fled for political persecution. The defendants now appealed from rejection of the defendants’ claim to state immunity and … Continue reading Belhaj and Another v Straw and Others: SC 17 Jan 2017
The parties, on divorcing had a greed, under court order that W should obtain the release of H from his covenants under the mortgage of the family home. She had been unable to do so, and sought that order to be varied to allow postponement of her performance until the youngest child attained 18. H … Continue reading Birch v Birch: SC 26 Jul 2017
The AG sought a civil proceedings order against the respondent. Held: Before the court can make an order under the section it must be satisfied that the statutory precondition of an order is fulfilled, namely that the person against whom the order is sought has habitually and persistently and without any reasonable ground instituted vexatious … Continue reading Attorney General v Barker: Admn 16 Feb 2000
The claimant had cohabited with the deceased. After his death, she applied for a grant of letters of administration in his estate, but this was rejected on the basis that she had no sufficient interest to make a claim to probate. The deceased had died but shortly after his divorce the defendants said that he … Continue reading O’Brien v Seagrave and Another: ChD 23 Mar 2007
The Court was asked whether an employee’s remuneration is taxable as his or her emoluments or earnings when it is paid to a third party in circumstances in which the employee had no prior entitlement to receive it himself or herself. Held: The company’s appeal failed. The purposive approach to the interpretation of the general … Continue reading RFC 2012 Plc (Formerly The Rangers Football Club Plc) v Advocate General for Scotland: SC 5 Jul 2017
The court considered whether a defendant should be allowed to pay his debts as they fell due despite an asset freezing order. Held: The Mareva jurisdiction should not ‘improve the position of claimants’. Rather, it should prevent the injustice of a defendant removing his assets from the jurisdiction which may have otherwise been available to … Continue reading Iraqi Ministry of Defence and Others v Arcepey Shipping Co SA, The Angel Bell: 1980
UBS AG devised an employee bonus scheme to take advantage of the provisions of Chapter 2 of the 2003 Act, with the sole purpose other than tax avoidance, and such consequential advantages as would flow from tax avoidance. Several pre-ordained steps were taken according to a detailed timetable. Once the structure of the scheme had … Continue reading UBS Ag and Another v Revenue and Customs: SC 9 Mar 2016
Anonymised Party to Proceedings The BBC challenged an order made by the Court of Session in judicial review proceedings, permitting the applicant review to delete his name and address and substituting letters of the alphabet, in the exercise (or, as the BBC argues, purported exercise) of a common law power. The court also gave directions … Continue reading A v British Broadcasting Corporation (Scotland): SC 8 May 2014
Three prisoners raised questions as to the circumstances in which the Parole Board is required to hold an oral hearing before making an adverse decision. One of the appeals (Osborn) concerned a determinate sentence prisoner who was released on licence but then recalled to custody. The other appeals (Booth and Reilly) were indeterminate sentence prisoners … Continue reading Osborn v The Parole Board: SC 9 Oct 2013
Two applications for costs orders under section 51 of the Supreme Court Act 1981. Citations: [2009] EWHC 2432 (Comm) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 04 August 2022; Ref: scu.376018
A challenge by request for judicial review to the legality of the comprehensive ban on smoking at the State Hospital at Carstairs which the State Hospitals Board adopted. The appellant, a detained patient, did not challenge the ban on smoking indoors, but rather as to the ban on smoking in the grounds and on home … Continue reading McCann v The State Hospitals Board for Scotland: SC 11 Apr 2017
There had been complex multi-party litigation in England. The appellants sought discharge from an anti-suit injunction restraining them from taking some issues to their home court, Georgia in the USA. They contended that the reasons which surrounded the original reasons for litigation in London had now been discharged. Held: The section creates the power to … Continue reading Exter Shipping Ltd Stanley Shipping Ltd Wyndham Shipping Ltd Crest Shipping Ltd v Glencore International Ag: CA 18 Apr 2002
An indictment had not been signed despite a clear statutory provision that it should be. The defects were claimed to have been cured by amendment before sentence. Held: The convictions failed. Sections 1(1) and 2(1) of the 1933 Act which provided for a bill of indictment (which had of itself no legal standing save as … Continue reading Clarke, Regina v; Regina v McDaid: HL 6 Feb 2008
The appellants were barristers against whom wasted costs orders had been made. They appealed. They had made allegations of fraud in pleadings, but without being able to provide evidence to support the allegation. This was itself a breach of the Bar Council Code of Practice. Held: A barrister must not draft a pleading containing an … Continue reading Medcalf v Mardell, Weatherill and Another: HL 27 Jun 2002
Application by KAC, Kuwait Airways Corporation, for an order pursuant to Section 51 of the Supreme Court Act 1981, and to CPR part 48.2, that the costs of four actions, namely 1991 folio 69 and 2587, 2000 folio 1137 and 2003 folio 223, all of which had been brought by the claimant, KAC, against Iraqi … Continue reading Kuwait Airways Corporation v Iraqi Airways Company: TCC 16 Jul 2008
Parliament’s Approval if statute rights affected In a referendum, the people had voted to leave the European Union. That would require a notice to the Union under Article 50 TEU. The Secretary of State appealed against an order requiring Parliamentary approval before issuing the notice, he saying that the notice could be given under the … Continue reading Miller and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Exiting The European Union: SC 24 Jan 2017
No anonymity for investigation suspect The claimant had been investigated on an allegation of historic sexual abuse. He had never been charged, but the investigation had continued with others being convicted in a high profile case. He appealed from refusal of orders restricting publication of his name and involvement in the inquiry. Held: (Kerr and … Continue reading PNM v Times Newspapers Ltd and Others: SC 19 Jul 2017
Judges: Brooke, Carnwath LJJ Citations: [2003] EWCA Civ 799 Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 42 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See also – Bhamjee v Forsdick and Others (No 2) CA 25-Jul-2003 The Court set out the range of remedies available to protect court processes from abuse by litigants who persist in making … Continue reading Bhamjee v Forsdick and others: CA 14 May 2003
Six appeals concerned a number of aspects of the new Conditional Fee Agreement. Held: It should be normal for a CFA, redacted as necessary, to be disclosed for costs proceedings where a success fee is claimed. If a party seeks to rely on the CFA, as a matter of fairness she should ordinarily be put … Continue reading Hollins v Russell etc: CA 22 May 2003
The judge, a circuit judge who had been appointed a judge of the TCC, had adjudicated on the claimant’s case in the High Court in the false belief that the appointment allowed him to do so. Held: The judge had not wilfully closed his eyes to the law, and his mistake was understandable. On established … Continue reading Coppard v The Commissioners of Customs and Excise, Lord Chancellor intervening: CA 9 Apr 2003
The appellant had been detained in a mental hospital after a conviction. Later released, he was recalled, but he was not given written reasons as required by a DoH circular. However the SS referred the recall immediately to the Tribunal. He appealed from refusal of a finding that his subsequent detention had been unlawful. Held: … Continue reading Lee-Hirons v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 27 Jul 2016
The defendant appealed from a preliminary ruling that his body modification services were not in law capable of being consented to and therefore amounted to an assault. Held: The appeal failed: ‘we can see no good reason why body modification should be placed in a special category of exemption from the general rule that the … Continue reading BM, Regina v: CACD 22 Mar 2018
There was an interlocutory dispute over the granting of an extension of time for service of the defence. The legally aided plaintiff challenged the costs orders made by the district registrar and the judge. Each ordered that the costs be the defendants’, ‘not to be enforced without leave of the court save by way of … Continue reading Lockley v National Blood Transfusion Service: CA 1992
The claimant asserted that judicial proceedings, since they were conducted in the name of the Crown, were brought ‘by or at the instigation’ of a public authority, and that acts so challenged were therefore subject to the Act, even though they had taken place before the Act came into effect. The assertion was unsustainable. The … Continue reading Regina (Ben-Abdelaziz) v Haringey London Borough Council and Another: CA 21 Jun 2001
A costs order was sought against the Legal Aid Board. Thomas J. said: ‘In my judgment, the courts do have power in an appropriate and exceptional case to make an order in respect of costs against the board under section 51(1); the role of the board in litigation in which it is assisting one of … Continue reading Kelly v South Manchester Health Authority: 1997
The claimant sought a declaration that the District probate Registrars were judicial officers. Held: They were not. Judges: Ouseley J Citations: [2006] EWHC 465 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Supreme Court Act 1981 89(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Ghafoor and others v Cliff and others ChD 11-Apr-2006 The applicant had obtained revocation … Continue reading D’Costa and Another, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Another: Admn 23 Feb 2006
The Practice Rules conferred a discretion as to costs only in cases in which before the Judicature Acts the courts would have had jurisdiction to make awards of costs. The Act of 1890 was intended to confer such jurisdiction in any case whatever. Citations: (1886) 34 Ch D 24 Statutes: Supreme Court of Judicature Act … Continue reading In re Mills’ Estate: CA 1886
The applicant sought to bring an action to challenge new rules on approval of export credit guarantees. The company was non-profit and founded to support investigation of bribery. It had applied for a protected costs order to support the application, and now appealed its refusal. Held: The court restated the practice on the making of … Continue reading Corner House Research, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: CA 1 Mar 2005
A claim had been made for mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos, but the claim arose in Guernsey. Acknowledging the acute difficultis particular to the evidence in such cases, the House of Lords, in Fairchild. had introduced the Special Rule at common law as to such evidence. In the UK, the 2006 Act had amended the … Continue reading Zurich Insurance Plc UK Branch v International Energy Group Ltd: SC 20 May 2015
A section 51 application was prompted by the reporting of the Chapman case, and decided by Thomas J specifically upon the basis that the continued defence of the quantum of the claim after judgment on liability had been conducted by the insurers solely in their own interests, after the insured’s interest in protecting its reputation … Continue reading Citibank NA v Excess Insurance Co Ltd: 1999
Challenge to the making of a non-party costs order under section 51 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 against the product liability insurer of one of the defendants in litigation being managed under a Group Litigation Order (‘GLO’). Many of the claimants in the successful action were not insured, and Travelers, the defendant’s insurers resisted … Continue reading Travelers Insurance Company Ltd v XYZ: SC 30 Oct 2019
Charitable Company- Directors’ Status and Duties A married couple set up a charitable foundation to assist children in developing countries. When the marriage failed an attempt was made to establish a second foundation with funds from the first, as part of W leaving the Trust. Court approval was obtained, but the court ordered the remaining … Continue reading Lehtimaki and Others v Cooper: SC 29 Jul 2020
(High Court of Australia) Two orders for the payment of costs had been made against the receivers and managers of the claimant in the action, Forest Pty Ltd, and the defendant to a counterclaim brought by the defendants to the action, Howe Corporation Pty Ltd. An order for security for costs had been made against … Continue reading Knight v FP Special Assets Ltd: 25 Jun 1992
(Supreme Court of New South Wales) The claimant sought damages alleging assault by the making of telephone calls. Held: Threats made over the telephone were capable of amounting to an assault. Taylor J: ‘Mr. Staff’s first and second propositions can, I think, be best dealt with together. They are the ones upon which he most … Continue reading Barton v Armstrong: 1969
The claimant was detained in a secure Mental Hospital. He complained at the seclusions policy applied by the hospital, saying that it departed from the Guidance issued for such policies by the Secretary of State under the Act. Held: The House allowed the Hospital’s appeal. The policy was lawful. Seclusion was to be seen as … Continue reading Regina v Ashworth Hospital Authority (Now Mersey Care National Health Service Trust) ex parte Munjaz: HL 13 Oct 2005
The patient an elderly lady with limited mental capacity was to be returned from hospital, but her daughter said she was to come home. The local authority sought to prevent this, wanting to return her to a residential unit where she had lived for some months. The court had held that the patient lacked capacity … Continue reading In re PS (an Adult), Re; City of Sunderland v PS by her litigation friend the Offcial Solcicitor and CA; Re PS (Incapacitated or Vulnerable Adult): FD 9 Mar 2007
The taxpayers sold their shares in return for loan notes in the form of mixed qualifying (QCB) and non qualifying corporate bonds (Non-QCB) within section 115 of the 1992 Act. Gains on the disposal of QCB would be exempt from CGT. These were then converted to QCBs. The court was asked as to their chargeability … Continue reading Hancock and Another v Revenue and Customs: SC 22 May 2019
The employee was injured at work, but in a way excluded from the employers insurance cover. He now sought to make the sole company director liable, hoping in term to take action against the director’s insurance brokers for negligence, the director himself now also bankrupt. The pursuer now appealed. Held: The appeal failed, and the … Continue reading Campbell v Gordon: SC 6 Jul 2016
Ban on Prisoners talking to Journalists unlawful The two prisoners, serving life sentences for murder, had had their appeals rejected. They continued to protest innocence, and sought to bring their campaigns to public attention through the press, having oral interviews with journalists without undertakings from the journalists not to publish any element of the interview. … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for The Home Department Ex Parte Simms: HL 8 Jul 1999
The claimant teachers had been involved in a day’s strike action They objected that the employer had deducted 1/260 and not 1/365 of their annual salary. Held: Section 2 of the 1870 Act did apply to a teacher’s contract, and the employee’s appeal failed. Elias, Tomlinson, Sales LJJ [2015] EWCA Civ 455, [2015] WLR(D) 216, … Continue reading Hartley and Others v King Edward VI College: CA 14 May 2015
