Intersar Al-Balhaa & Anor v RMG Residential Management Group Ltd
[2024] EWHC 229 (KB)
Hon Shu Pang & Anor v Justin Zinda
1 February 2024
[2024] EWHC 176 (KB)
High Court
A teacher appealed court costs. The judge said the teacher didn't need to quit their job to prepare, and that they spent way too much time on things like making copies and reading old case files. Instead of getting all the money they wanted, they only got a small part of it.
Key Facts
- •Appeal concerning costs determined by Costs Judge James.
- •Appellant, a litigant in person, claimed costs for preparation and attendance at hearings.
- •Appellant claimed loss of earnings due to resigning from teaching positions to work on the appeal.
- •Appellant submitted various cost statements including time sheets.
- •Respondents submitted written submissions contesting the Appellant's costs claim.
- •The court considered CPR 44.10 and CPR 46.5 regarding costs assessment for litigants in person.
Legal Principles
Costs of appeals
CPR 44.10
Assessment of costs for litigants in person
CPR 46.5
Outcomes
Appellant's claim for loss of earnings was refused.
The court deemed it unnecessary and unreasonable for the appellant to resign from employment to prepare for the appeal. The work could have been done outside of working hours.
Appellant's claim for time reasonably spent was significantly reduced.
The court found the claimed time for tasks such as assembling bundles and reviewing transcripts excessive, unnecessary, and repetitive.
Disbursements were partially allowed, with many costs deemed unreasonable and unnecessary.
Costs for excessive photocopying, stationery and unnecessary transcripts of the underlying action were reduced or disallowed.
Total costs awarded: £1800 (40% of the initially assessed amount).
This was determined after significant reductions reflecting the Court's assessment of reasonable time spent and justifiable costs.
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