Hong Kong Case Law: Decisions & Judgments

Topic

Photocopying charges

Legal area

Court

10 Nov 2014

BETWEEN COMPANIA SUD AMERICANA DE VAPORES SA v. N PRO INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS LTD

Citation

BETWEEN COMPANIA SUD AMERICANA DE VAPORES SA v. N PRO INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS LTD
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCMP1932/2014

Because the costs award was on an indemnity basis the court allowed only minimal reductions: photocopying charges were reduced to $720, item D3 (preparation for hearing) was disallowed because the matter was disposed on paper, and otherwise no further reductions were made; the plaintiff's costs were fixed at $132,250 payable forthwith by the defendant.
12 Mar 2003

RE AQUALITY ENGINEERING CO LTD

Citation

RE AQUALITY ENGINEERING CO LTD
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCCW1023/2001

The agreed HK$3.70 rate between the Official Receiver and the profession is not binding on taxing masters; the proper inquiry is the reasonable photocopying rate in the circumstances and, absent better evidence, the master's discretion to adopt HK$3.00 (the solicitors' prescribed rate) was reasonable and should not be disturbed; additionally a liquidator cannot represent other liquidators without entitlement under Practice Directions, rendering those parts of the taxation irregular.
12 Mar 2003

RE HOI SING CONSTRUCTION CO LTD

Citation

RE HOI SING CONSTRUCTION CO LTD
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCCW356/1997

The judge held that the master did not err in law or principle in revising the photocopying rate to HK$3.00 per copy; the agreed HK$3.70 rate and the Official Receiver's administrative rate are not binding on taxing masters; photocopying charges are disbursements not permitting time-for-copying charges; and the master’s exercise of discretion in fixing HK$3.00 should be upheld.
12 Mar 2003

RE KENSLAND REALTY LTD

Citation

RE KENSLAND REALTY LTD
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCCW581/2001

The review is refused because the liquidators failed to demonstrate that the master's adoption of a HK$3.00 per copy rate was unreasonable or legally flawed; the agreed HK$3.70 rate with the Official Receiver is not binding, and in the absence of better evidence the master reasonably adopted the prescribed HK$3.00 rate analogous to solicitor photocopying charges.
12 Mar 2003

RE KANSA GENERAL INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE CO LTD

Citation

RE KANSA GENERAL INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE CO LTD
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCCW308/1995

The judge refused the review and upheld the taxing master's allowance of HK$3.00 per photocopy because the liquidators failed to demonstrate that HK$3.70 was a reasonable rate; the agreement with the Official Receiver and the Official Receiver's internal rate were not binding, and in the absence of better evidence the master did not err in exercising his discretion to fix HK$3.00.
12 Mar 2003

RE WERNER CLADDING SYSTEMS (ASIA) LTD

Citation

RE WERNER CLADDING SYSTEMS (ASIA) LTD
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCCW567/2000

The master did not err in law or exercise of discretion in allowing HK$3.00 per copy; the industry agreement and the Official Receiver's internal rate are not binding on the taxing master or court; in absence of better evidence the master's comparison to the solicitors' prescribed rate was reasonable; review is refused and HK$3.00 per copy is upheld. Additionally, Mr Kennedy had no right to represent other liquidators before the master and those matters were irregular and adjourned sine die.

Hong Kong Case Law

BETWEEN COMPANIA SUD AMERICANA DE VAPORES SA v. N PRO INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS LTD

RE AQUALITY ENGINEERING CO LTD

RE HOI SING CONSTRUCTION CO LTD

RE KENSLAND REALTY LTD

RE KANSA GENERAL INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE CO LTD

RE WERNER CLADDING SYSTEMS (ASIA) LTD