Mg Charter Ltd v. Beijing Caissa International Travel Service Co Ltd

HCA 1635/2012 and
HCCL 7/2014
(Consolidated)

[2020] HKCFI 462

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE

ACTION NO 1635 OF 2012 AND

COMMERCIAL ACTION NO 7 OF 2014

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Before: Deputy High Court Judge William Wong SC in Chambers

Date of Written Submissions by the Plaintiff: 13 January and 24 January 2020

Date of Written Submissions by the Defendant: 20 January 2020

Date of Decision on Assessment of Costs: 26 March 2020

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DECISION ON ASSESSMENT OF COSTS

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1.On 6 January 2020, I handed down my Reasons for Decision. I directed the parties to file written submissions for the purpose of making a gross sum assessment of the costs of these proceedings.

2.Parties have since filed their respective written submissions which I have duly considered.  First, the parties are agreeable that the costs in relation to the hearing on 22 August 2019 should be excluded.  I also take into consideration that this is a rather simple and straightforward application.  I summarily assess the costs of the solicitors at HK$200,000.

3.As for counsel’s fee, I disallow the brief fees for the hearings on 4 April 2019 and 6 May 2019.  Hence, the total counsel’s fee is HK$281,500.

4.Accordingly, the assessed sum is HK$481,500.  The said sum is to be paid forthwith by the Defendant to the Plaintiff.

Mr Gordon Gardiner and Ms Vivien Wong, of Holman Fenwick Willan, for the plaintiff

Mr William Patrick Amos, of Mayer Brown, for the defendant