HT-2023-000006 - [2024] EWHC 2914 (TCC)

Fecha: 15-Nov-2024

Copying Costs

210.

There is a separate issue which relates to copying costs in the sum of £3,130.80.

211.

The facts in respect of this are set out in J&BH’s Submissions on Costs:

82.

The Defendant’s solicitors further stated on 3 May 2024: “Please confirm whether you require a hard copy of the Trial Bundle and, if so, please provide us with an undertaking by return that you will be responsible for our reasonable copying charges (which is standard practice).” … In response, the Claimant confirmed that it required a hard copy (the Claimant in fact asked for 2 hardcopies however only 1 was provided as the Claimant failed to agree to pay for the second copy in advance as requested by the Defendant) and stated “I acknowledge responsibility for covering the [reasonable] copying charges.” … The Defendant’s solicitors explained on 7 May 2024 that the copying charges were £3,130.80 per bundle …

83.

This cost has not been billed by the Defendant’s solicitors to the Defendant.

84.

The sum was instead billed to the Claimant …. but has not been paid.

85.

A credit must also be given for this sum.

212.

At paragraph 91.6 J&BH confirms that it will account for this sum to its solicitors.

213.

In the circumstances set out above, I accept that it is appropriate that a credit should be given for the sum of £3,130.80. These costs were incurred during the phase of the proceedings in respect of which I have determined that A & V should not recover its costs. These costs were part of A & V’s costs of the proceedings. Accordingly, the copying costs should be to A & V’s account. Normally this would be dealt with between solicitors, but in circumstances where A & V is not legally represented, the course proposed by J&BH is, in my judgment, just and appropriate.