SCCO rules that Settlement for less than pleaded value and reduction to incurred hourly rates, no good reason to depart from Cost Management Order.

Master Rowley, leading costs judge, has provided authority in the case of Jallow v Ministry of Defence [2018] EWHC B7 (Costs) regarding the ever popular issue of whether a reduction of the hourly rates in the bill of costs to the parts which represents the ‘incurred’ costs section of a costs budget, is a good enough…

Partial success, but for which party?

The initial decision An action was brought by an estate claiming ownership of a property. The defendant sought to argue that she owned the property outright. The judge at first instance held that it was held as joint tenants, 50% each.  In the first instance the Judge awarded costs to the Defendant, ordering that the…

The New Insolvency Practice Direction: Key Changes

The new Practice Direction updates the previous Practice Direction by making reference to the Insolvency Rules 2016, taking account of recently decided cases and changes with regards to the Business and Property Courts Practice Direction, specifying new arrangements for the distribution of insolvency business across the different levels of the Judiciary, and clarifying the routes…

High Court considers whether deed of indemnity from ATE insurer is adequate security for costs

Recovery Partners GB Limited and Another v Rukhadze and Others [2018] EWHC 95 (Comm) High Court considers whether deed of indemnity from ATE insurer is adequate security for costs. The Claimants’ solicitors provided an undertakings to hold sums of money as security for certain costs, which the Defendants accepted. However, the Claimants subsequently sought to…

CPR 44 has sufficient width to enable a court to order fixed portal fixed costs when there is unreasonable failure to use Protocol

Williams v The Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy [2018] EWCA Civ 852  Claim details This Court of Appeal case looks at the CPR 44 conduct provisions and that failing to use the protocols set out therein could lead to fixed costs being awarded. The Claimant’s claim was for damages associated with hearing…

Insurer still liable for Solicitors costs when settlement is agreed directly with the Claimants

Gavin Edmondson Solicitors Ltd v Haven Insurance Company Ltd [2018] UKSC 21 This case involved six Claimants who were involved in road traffic accidents with the drivers being insured by Haven Insurance Company. The individuals involved instructed and entered into CFAs with Gavin Edmondson Solicitors Ltd. As required under the Pre-action Protocol for Low Value…