Read the full judgment text of HCCT 66/2020 on BabelCite. This 高等法院原訟法庭 judgment was delivered on 21 April 2021 before Hon K Yeung J in Chambers.
Costs — Arbitration — Interim Injunction discharge — Summary assessment of costs — Excessive and unparticularized Mainland costs — One-day hearing — Duplication and excessive fees identified. The court discharged part of the interim injunction and made a costs order nisi in favour of the Defendant for the summons and variation summons to be assessed summarily. The Defendant claimed over HK$4 million and RMB1.98 million costs, which the Plaintiffs objected to as excessive and containing duplication. The court found the claimed amount unreasonably high, noting duplication in fee items, excessive perusal and preparation fees, and unparticularized exorbitant fees for Mainland support and experts. Applying a broad brush approach, the court reduced the costs to HK$2,000,000 and RMB400,000. No further costs order was made regarding the summary assessment itself. The Defendant must pay the assessed costs within 28 days.
Legal issues: Summary assessment of costs
Outcome: Costs claim by Defendant significantly reduced and summarily assessed
Cited by 3 cases