Civil way: 17 February 2023

LOTSAQOCS

The Supreme Court’s decision in Ho v Adelekun [2021] UKSC 43, [2021] All ER (D) 17 (Oct) could have looked counterintuitive and unfair. The justices said that, not me. I wouldn’t dare. It addressed the conundrum which arose in a qualified one-way costs shifting (QOCS) case over set-offs where the claimant was awarded damages and there were opposing costs orders. It was decided that the defendant who had an order for costs in their favour could not offset them against both the claimant’s damages and interest and a costs order in the claimant’s favour (perhaps made on an unsuccessful interim application to strike out). The offset was limited to the damages and interest. Amendments to CPR 44 to be brought into force on 6 April 2023 by the Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2023, SI 2023/105, and only applying to proceedings issued on or after that date, are aimed