1. Proportionality 2. Appeal Route

Jeffereson v National Freight Carriers PLC

CA Association of Law Costs Draftsmen Journal May 2001

Proportionality

The Court of Appeal was sitting in Newcastle upon Tyne and the judgment delivered by Lord Woolf. In an action arising out of a minor injury at work the claimant was awarded £1,750 general damages with special damages agreed at £525.74. The statement of costs (even the LCJ referred to it as a ‘schedule’!) claimed solicitors’ costs of £4,401.75 together with counsels’ fees of £34 for drafting the pleadings, £500 for the hearing (even though it was a fast track trial) together with court fees and minor disbursements totalling £537.67. Together with VAT the total amount claimed was £6,905.49.