Cost Management Flashcards
What is costs?
amount that is due to legal advisers for their service
What happens if at the end of trial, the court gives an order which is silent as to costs?
What does this mean?
no party is entitled to costs
each party pays their own legal advisers
When may the court make an order about costs?
At any stage in a case
What is the starting point when it comes to costs?
The loser pays the winner’s fees as well as their own
Who pays the fees?
The loser
What does the court have discretion to when it comes to costs?
- Who pays the cost
- How much the costs are
- When costs should be paid
In deciding on costs, what must the court have regards to?
all circumstances of the case
- how parties have conducted themselves
- level of success of the winner
- any offers to settle
TRUE OR FALSE: Loser pays the winner’s costs means that they must pay ALL of their fees regardless of the circumstances? Why?
False. court may decide otherwise
TRUE OR FALSE: Loser pays all the winner’s costs principle may be adjusted?
TRUE
What options does the court have in determining who pays costs between C and multiple Ds?
Sanderson Order
Bullock Order
What is a Sanderson order?
court will order losing Ds to pay both fees of C and the winning defendants as well as their own, as well as C’s winning costs
What is a Bullock order?
Court will order C pays the winning D’s costs and order the losing D’s to pay C’s winning costs, their fees, as well as reimbursed C for the winning D’s fees
The court when exercising direction as to costs may choose to order that costs be paid by which two mechanisms/orders?
Sanderson Order
Bullock Order
What happens if C is found to have been unreasonable for bringing claim against multiple Ds?
likely C will be ordered to pay own costs of bringing the claim
What is the time for complying with order for costs?
within 14 days of judgment if amount of costs is stated
What is the method for assessing Fast Track claims?
Summary Assessment
What is the method for assessing Multi-Track claims?
Detailed Assessment
What is a summary assessment of costs?
Where court determines costs there and then at the end of the hearing/trial
What is a detailed assessment of costs?
Where costs are assessed at the conclusion of proceedings
Who’s duty is it to assist the court in making a summary assessment?
The parties and their legal representatives
Eacg party who intends to claim costs, must prepare a written statement of costs showing what?
- number of hours claimed
- hourly rate claimed
- amount/nature of disbursement
- legal representatives costs
- any VAT
What must the party do with their statement of costs?
file at court
serve on parties
When must a statement of costs be served on the other party in Fast Track trials?
not less than 2 days before trial
When must a statement of costs be served on the other party in 1 day long trials?
not less than 24 hours before trial
What basis are costs assessed?
Either
Standard basis of assessment
or
Indemnity basis of assessment
What is the standard basis of assessment?
-proportionately and reasonably incurred
or
-of a proportionate and reasonable amount
What is the indemnity basis of assessment?
disallows unreasonable costs