Issue based costs order in relief from forfeiture proceedings (General Motors v Manchester Ship Canal)

Article summary

Dispute Resolution analysis: This case considers the costs consequences of a successful application for relief from forfeiture of a license to drain surface water, in conjunction with a failed claim based on rights under the Manchester Ship Canal Act 1885 (the Act). The claimant sought a proportionate costs order in relation to its costs of litigating the relief from forfeiture application from the date when the defendant filed its defence and subject to a modest reduction of 10% to reflect its loss on the claim under the Act. The defendant, meanwhile, sought an issue based costs order reflecting its success defeating that part of the claim as well as the costs and expense of the litigation generally (the claimant had delayed bringing the proceedings and changed the basis on which relief was sought). The judge considered and applied the general rule under CPR 44.2 as well as the discretion to make an issue based costs order...