Paul Singh v EUI Ltd

Paul Singh v EUI Ltd

Lords Solicitors LLP and the Claimant were responsible for repeated and serious breaches of the CPR and Practice Directions, including the manufacture and use of an inauthentic solicitor/client bill to mislead the court and the Third Defendant regarding the indemnity principle. This conduct was improper, unreasonable, and negligent, justifying a 50% reduction in the Claimant's assessed costs under CPR 44.11(2)(a) and an order that Lords bear the Third Defendant's additional costs incurred as a result of their conduct under CPR 44.11(2)(b) and CPR 46.8. No sanction was imposed on Ms Wills or Mr Orphanou, as their conduct did not meet the threshold for impropriety or unreasonableness.

Parties
Claimant: Paul Singh; Third Defendant: EUI Ltd; Claimant's Solicitors: Lords Solicitors LLP; Claimant's Counsel: Alexandra Wills; Claimant's Costs Draftsman/advocate: Vrahimis Orphanou
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
03 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Costs Assessment / Post Trial, Detailed Assessment, Application for Costs Sanctions
Outcome
Application granted in part; 50% reduction of assessed costs; further orders on costs to be determined after submissions.
Legal Topics
Detailed Assessment of Costs, Wasted Costs, Sanctions for Improper Conduct, Indemnity Principle, Certification of Bills, Solicitor Client Relationship
Civil Procedure Costs Law Detailed Assessment of Costs Wasted Costs Sanctions for Improper Conduct Indemnity Principle Certification of Bills Solicitor Client Relationship

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 14 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 8
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Paul Singh

Claimant

EUI Ltd

Third Defendant

Lords Solicitors LLP

Claimant's Solicitors

Alexandra Wills

Claimant's Counsel

Vrahimis Orphanou

Claimant's Costs Draftsman/advocate

Procedural Posture

Costs Assessment / Post Trial, Detailed Assessment, Application for Costs Sanctions

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Claimant's assessed costs should be reduced due to breaches of rules and improper conduct by his legal representatives
  2. 2 Whether Lords Solicitors LLP and/or the Claimant should pay the Third Defendant's costs of assessment on the indemnity basis
  3. 3 Whether the conduct of the Claimant's legal representatives was improper, unreasonable, or negligent under CPR 44.11 and 46.8

Ratio Decidendi

Lords Solicitors LLP and the Claimant were responsible for repeated and serious breaches of the CPR and Practice Directions, including the manufacture and use of an inauthentic solicitor/client bill to mislead the court and the Third Defendant regarding the indemnity principle. This conduct was improper, unreasonable, and negligent, justifying a 50% reduction in the Claimant's assessed costs under CPR 44.11(2)(a) and an order that Lords bear the Third Defendant's additional costs incurred as a result of their conduct under CPR 44.11(2)(b) and CPR 46.8. No sanction was imposed on Ms Wills or Mr Orphanou, as their conduct did not meet the threshold for impropriety or unreasonableness.

Court Disposition

Application granted in part; 50% reduction of assessed costs; further orders on costs to be determined after submissions.

Orders

  • The Claimant's assessed costs are reduced by 50% under CPR 44.11(2)(a).
  • Lords Solicitors LLP to bear the Third Defendant's additional costs incurred due to their conduct under CPR 44.11(2)(b) and CPR 46.8, with the quantum to be determined after further submissions.