8 Apr 2026
The court refused to vary the interim costs order because the applicant failed to demonstrate reasonable grounds; the interim order assessing costs at HK$25,000 was converted to an absolute order against the applicant, and no costs order was made for the 19 December 2025 summons because the respondents did not file materials.
26 Feb 2026
The court upheld the solicitor-and-own-client costs order against Mr Lam on the basis of the guarantee's contractual provision and the court's adverse findings about his credibility; granted certificates for two counsel in both actions because of complexity and consequences; rejected Orient Profit's argument to cap its costs liability to mortgage proceeds because the court's discretion cannot be fettered by the Second Mortgage and because Orient Profit's defence lacked merit; and held that costs (including those of the variation applications) are to be taxed and assessed by the master rather…
16 Feb 2026
The application to vary the costs order nisi was dismissed and the order made absolute because the Estate succeeded in the vast bulk of its claims, the unsuccessful claims did not lead to any increase in costs, and the defendants' conduct and materially changing defences justified no reduction in the costs order.
2 Jan 2026
[2026] HKCFI 66
18 Dec 2025
The Court exercised its inherent jurisdiction to vary the earlier costs order because the Company's Leave Application and related conduct amounted to exceptional circumstances bordering on abuse of process; accordingly the Court ordered indemnity costs summarily assessed at HK$500,000 to be paid by the funders and compelled the Company and its solicitors to disclose the names and addresses of all persons or entities that transferred funds to pay for the Leave Application within three days.
30 Oct 2025
The court applied Order 22 r23 RDC and held it was not unjust to enforce its consequences: the 1st Plaintiff, who was legally represented and had access to relevant material, failed to accept a HK$75,000 sanctioned payment or seek leave to accept out of time; accordingly the costs order nisi was varied to award party-and-party costs up to 14 October 2021 and indemnity costs from 15 October 2021 with an enhanced interest rate of 3% per annum above judgment rate until 29 May 2025 and judgment rate thereafter; the sanctioned payment to be paid out to defendants.
11 Sept 2025
The Plaintiff was the unsuccessful party overall on appeal; her financial vulnerability and partial retention of some pleading paragraphs did not justify displacing the ordinary outcome that costs follow the unsuccessful party; summary assessment was appropriate for this discrete appeal; the Defendant's costs were summarily assessed at HK$115,000 (including certificate for counsel) payable within three months.
5 Sept 2025
Adopting Harbour Hero, the court held the defendant's merits were disclosed by the defendant's first affirmation dated 26 February 2025, therefore the plaintiffs recover costs incurred up to that date (including perusal); costs of resisting the setting aside application thereafter, including the 7 July 2025 hearing, are to be borne by the plaintiffs.
30 Jul 2025
The court exercised its discretion on costs and held that although the 1st respondent unsuccessfully resisted the first stage, that alone did not entitle him to costs for that stage; allegations of suspicious fund transfers were not established and conduct in separate proceedings was irrelevant; accordingly the costs order nisi is varied so that the plaintiff must pay 50% of the costs of the application with certificate for counsel, to be taxed if not agreed, and the costs order nisi is made absolute as varied.
4 Jul 2025
Because the judgment was reserved and there were no submissions on costs, the costs order was, by necessary implication, an order nisi; the plaintiff applied within the 14 day period and established that counsel attendance was proper and necessary, therefore the costs order was varied to include a Certificate for Counsel; alternatively the court exercised its inherent jurisdiction to amend the costs order prior to sealing.