Read the full judgment text of HCCT 49/1996 on BabelCite. This 高等法院原訟法庭 judgment was delivered on 14 April 2000 before Master Poon.
Costs taxation — Review of counsel's fees claimed by 6th defendant in related court proceedings alongside parallel arbitration — Consideration of "taking a step in the action" ground for arbitration stay — Experienced solicitors should competently manage procedural risks without counsel — Only early senior counsel advice on strategic choice before writ service partly allowed with reduction — Routine matters and consultation between counsel disallowed — Application of Order 62 1st Schedule on counsel's fees and party and party basis — Costs reviewed with partial allowance and remainder dismissed; no order as to costs of review given pending further application.
Legal issues: Allowability of counsel's fees on 'taking a step in the action' ground · Reasonableness of senior counsel fees for strategic advice before writ service · Allowability of counsel's fees for reviewing uncontroversial arbitration stay related summons and affidavit · Allowability of counsel's fees for joint consultation between junior and senior counsel
Outcome: The taxation review partly allowed in respect of certain items (3, 17, C1, C2) and dismissed in all other respects; no order as to costs of taxation and review