Cheung Ching Ping Stephen v. Allcom Ltd

HCA 2208/2008

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE

ACTION NO. 2208 OF 2008

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BETWEEN

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Before: Deputy High Court Judge Carlson in Chambers

Date of Ruling (Handed Down): 17 August 2009

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R U L I N G

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1.This is my gross assessment of the costs of this matter, which I am doing on paper, each side having put in their views of what the correct amount should be.

2.The proposed bill is objected to by the Defendant in relation to preparation work and counsel’s fees.

3.Under preparation of documents, I will reduce the preparation time by TC (the consultant solicitor to CK Mok & Co.) from 25 hours 40 minutes down to 18 hours, which is ample given the documentation and the level of complexity of the case.  This reduces $102,666.70 to $72,000.  Perusal of documents need not have taken 10 hours and 55 minutes.  7 hours would have been ample giving a sum of $28,000 instead of $43,666.70.  Preparation for hearing will also be reduced to 2 hours and 30 minutes giving an amount of $10,000 and not $12,666.70.  The charges for the hearing itself including the call-over are in order.

4.As to leading counsel, I will say that $175,000 should be allowed and not $250,000.  Junior counsel’s fees are perfectly proper and will be allowed in full.

5.The claimed assessment therefore will be reduced by $123,333.40.  The assessed costs which I award to the Plaintiff are therefore $409,658.10.

Messrs C K Mok & Co., for the Plaintiff

Messrs Huen & Partners, for the Defendant