Maple Leaf Investment Co Ltd v. Hong Kong Cyberport (Ancillary Development) Ltd

HCA 891/2009

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE

ACTION NO.891 OF 2009

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BETWEEN

Before : Hon Sakhrani J in Chambers

Date of Hearing : 21 December 2009

Date of Summary Assessment of Costs : 21 December 2009

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SUMMARY ASSESSMENT OF COSTS

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1.This is the summary assessment of the costs order that I made earlier today.

2.Costs are sought in respect of the action and in respect of the application before me today.

3.I have considered the submissions made on behalf of the defendant and on behalf of the plaintiff in its objection to the statement of costs that has been presented to me.

4.The total sum claimed by the defendant is the sum of $195,880.00. The plaintiff is prepared to concede the sum of $130,000.00 as costs to be assessed on a summary basis.

5.The court applies a broad-brush approach to a summary assessment of costs.

6.It seems to me that in respect of the professional work done in respect of Part I and Part II of the statement of costs some amount ought to be deducted as it seems to me that the time spent is excessive. Also in respect of the brief fee for counsel some reduction should be made, in my view.

7.Taking a broad-brush approach I would assess the costs both for Part I and Part II in the total sum of $150,000.00. That is my order on the summary assessment of costs.

Mr Patrick S L Wong, instructed by Messrs C. M. Mok & Co., for the Plaintiff

Mr Jin Pao, instructed by Messrs Woo, Kwan, Lee & Lo, for the Defendant