PT-2023-BRS-000112 - [2025] EWHC 2829 (Ch)

I handed down my written judgment on the substantive claim to the parties at an attended hearing on 16 October 2025: see [2025] EWHC 2633 (Ch). That judgment held that the deceased’s will dated 6 June 2014 was valid, and that a grant in solemn form of administration with that will annexed should issue to the claimant. At the handing-down hearing, I received oral submissions on the question of costs from both the claimant and the first defendant. In broad terms, the claimant sought her costs of the claim from the first defendant, and on the indemnity basis, to be assessed if not agreed, coupled with an order for a payment on account of those costs in the meantime. The claimant also asked for an indemnity out of the estate for such of her costs as were not ordered or recovered. The first defendant did not ask for her costs, but sought to avoid payment of any costs to the claimant. This is my written judgment on costs. I am sorry that it has been delayed, as a result of pressure of other work.