DOI v DOJ & 2 Ors [2025] SGHC(I) 20 (6 August 2025)

DOI v DOJ & 2 Ors [2025] SGHC(I) 20 (6 August 2025)

The claimant, as the party in whose favour the costs orders were made, is entitled to recover costs reasonably and proportionately incurred, but not the entirety of costs claimed if they exceed what is reasonable for the work done. Disbursements for Indian lawyers are only recoverable to the extent they are justified as reasonable and necessary for the Singapore proceedings.

Citation
[2025] SGHC(I) 20
Parties
Claimant: DOI; Defendants: DOJ and others
Jurisdiction
Singapore
Judgment Date
06 August 2025
Procedural Posture
Originating Application / Costs Determination After Substantive Judgment
Outcome
Costs awarded to claimant, reduced from amounts claimed to reflect reasonableness and proportionality.
Legal Topics
Costs, Assessment of Costs, Reasonableness and Proportionality of Costs, Disbursements, Singapore International Commercial Court Rules
Civil Procedure Costs Assessment of Costs Reasonableness and Proportionality of Costs Disbursements Singapore International Commercial Court Rules

Case Brief

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Parties

DOI

Claimant

DOJ and others

Defendants

Procedural Posture

Originating Application / Costs Determination After Substantive Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the costs claimed by the claimant for the interlocutory application and substantive proceedings were reasonable and proportionate
  2. 2 Whether disbursements for Indian lawyers were justified and reasonable

Ratio Decidendi

The claimant, as the party in whose favour the costs orders were made, is entitled to recover costs reasonably and proportionately incurred, but not the entirety of costs claimed if they exceed what is reasonable for the work done. Disbursements for Indian lawyers are only recoverable to the extent they are justified as reasonable and necessary for the Singapore proceedings.

Court Disposition

Costs awarded to claimant, reduced from amounts claimed to reflect reasonableness and proportionality.

Orders

  • Defendants to pay claimant S$43,000 for costs of SUM 12 (S$40,000 professional costs, S$3,000 disbursements).
  • Defendants to pay claimant S$483,632.40 for costs of substantive proceedings (S$407,192 professional costs, S$76,440.40 disbursements).