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Contact with chambers should be made through the Practice Management Team. They are happy to discuss client requirements and provide further information on such matters as the expertise and experience of individual members, fees, working practices and languages spoken. We have members able to work in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Greek and Chinese (Mandarin).

Outside working hours, a member of our team is always available to be contacted on matters of an urgent nature. Contact should be made using the Chambers main number or email.

For our Singapore office, for client enquiries please contact our BD Director, Asia Pacific, Lara Quie and for all other queries please contact Lynn Quek. Out of office hours calls will automatically be diverted to our clerking team in London.

London

20 Essex Street
London
WC2R 3AL

enquiries@twentyessex.com
t: +44 20 7842 1200

Singapore

28 Maxwell Road
#02-03 Maxwell Chambers Suites
Singapore 069120

singapore@twentyessex.com
t: +65 62257230

Contact

Contact with chambers should be made through the Practice Management Team. They are happy to discuss client requirements and provide further information on such matters as the expertise and experience of individual members, fees, working practices and languages spoken. We have members able to work in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Greek and Chinese (Mandarin).

Outside working hours, a member of our team is always available to be contacted on matters of an urgent nature. Contact should be made using the Chambers main number or email.

For our Singapore office, for client enquiries please contact our BD Director, Asia Pacific, Lara Quie and for all other queries please contact Lynn Quek. Out of office hours calls will automatically be diverted to our clerking team in London.

London

20 Essex Street
London
WC2R 3AL

enquiries@twentyessex.com
t: +44 20 7842 1200

Singapore

28 Maxwell Road
#02-03 Maxwell Chambers Suites
Singapore 069120

singapore@twentyessex.com
t: +65 62257230

06/11/2018

Indemnity costs order overturned

Astex Therapeutics Ltd v AstraZeneca AB [2018] EWCA Civ 2444

Josephine Davies appeared for the Appellant in this significant Court of Appeal case arising from a pharmaceutical drug discovery collaboration agreement. The appeal concerned both liability and costs. Although, the Court found for the Respondents (on a point of construction) on the main liability appeal, its decision on costs is important.

The judge at first instance had awarded costs of trial against the Appellant on the indemnity basis from the date of expiration of a settlement offer made by the Respondents. The Court of Appeal took the unusual step (applying the principles in F&C Alternative Investments) of replacing this order with one for standard basis costs.

Adopting Kiam v MGM, the court held it would be “a rare case indeed where a refusal of a settlement offer” (not under CPR 36) would attract a costs order on the indemnity basis. It examined two other factors relied on by the Respondents and concluded they did not justify the indemnity costs. In particular, the Court emphasised that Kitchin LJ had granted permission to appeal on questions of construction and on the facts. Floyd LJ concluded “I cannot see anything in Astex’s [the Appellant’s] conduct which could justify an order for indemnity costs.”

Given the very substantial costs of the three week trial at first instance ([2017] EWHC 1442 (Ch)), this judgment is likely to have a substantial financial impact.

Josephine Davies (instructed by Clifford Chance LLP) acted for Astex Therapeutics Limited.

 

 

Relevant members
Josephine Davies KC
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