Read the full judgment text of HCCT000008/1992 on BabelCite. This 高等法院原訟法庭 judgment was delivered on 22 January 1998 before The Hon Mr Justice Findlay, in Chambers.
Procedure — Jurisdiction of Masters — Assessment of costs and interest — Master Jennings conducted assessment but retired before deciding interest and costs — Subsequent Master (Master Cannon) ruled lack of jurisdiction — Defendant appealed — Issue whether any Master other than the one seized may decide outstanding matters — Held that jurisdiction under Order 32, rule 11 is given to any Master and is not personal — Once jurisdiction is exercised by a decision, no other Master can decide same matter while decision stands — Where jurisdiction has not been exercised, any Master may decide — Here, Master Jennings did not decide interest and costs before retirement so another Master may decide. The appeal succeeded; parties were ordered to appear before a Master for decision on interest and costs. No order as to costs before this Court and Master Cannon was made.
Legal issues: Jurisdiction of a Master to decide interest and costs after partial assessment
Outcome: Appeal allowed; the matter of interest and costs to be decided by a Master.