Source: https://tmcls.co.uk/cpr-36-17-and-the-just-rewards-of-a-good-part-36-offer/
Timestamp: 2020-08-13 04:50:20
Document Index: 137577006

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 36', 'ART 36', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'EWCA ', 'art 36', 'EWCA ', 'art 44', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'EWCA ', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 36']

“it would not be unjust to apply the provisions of CPR 36.17 in this case. The terms of the offer were clear. The Part 36 offer was made at a very early stage in the proceedings, after the letter of claim but before the issue of the formal claim. By that time, extensive investigations and remedial works had been concluded. The parties had sufficient information to make an informed judgment as to the merits of the case. The offer was at a level that indicated it was a genuine attempt to settle the dispute.”
HOCHTIEF (UK) CONSTRUCTION LTD & ANOR V ATKINS LTD [2019] EWHC 3028 (TCC)
CPR 36.17 : CPR 36.17(4) : CPR 36.17(5) : ADDITIONAL AMOUNT : ENHANCED INTEREST : CLAIMANT’S PART 36 OFFER : UNUST CONSEQUENCES : GENUINE OFFER
McPhelmy v The Times Newspapers Ltd (No.2) [2001] EWCA Civ 933
OMV Petrom SA v Glencore International AG [2017] EWCA Civ 195
Webb v Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust [2016] EWCA Civ 365 (CA)
Matthews v Metal Improvements Co. Inc [2007] EWCA Civ 215
Factortame v Secretary of State [2002] EWCA Civ 22
Lilleyman v Lilleyman (judgment on costs) [2012] EWHC 1056 (Ch)
HOCHTIEF (UK) CONSTRUCTION LTD & ANOR V ATKINS LTD : KEY POINTS
Hochtief (UK) Construction Ltd & Anor v Atkins Ltd : THE AUTHORITIES
McPhelmy v The Times Newspapers Ltd (No.2) [2001] EWCA Civ 933…
“[the provisions of CPR 36.17] are intended to provide an incentive to a claimant to make a Part 36 offer. The incentive is that a claimant who has made a Part 36 offer (which is not accepted) and who succeeds at trial in beating his own offer stands to receive more than he would have received if he had not made the offer.” [14]
“Conversely, a defendant who refuses a Part 36 offer made by a claimant and who fails to beat that offer at trial is at risk of being ordered to pay more than he would have been ordered to pay if the offer had not been made” [14]
“The purpose for which the power to order interest on costs under that paragraph is conferred is, I think, plain. It is to redress, in a case to which [CPR 36.17] applies, the element of perceived unfairness which arises from the general rule that interest is not allowed on costs paid before judgment” [14]
“…it is only where the court considers that such an order would be unjust that it is permitted to refuse an order for the payment of costs on an indemnity basis. To make the order carries no implied disapproval of the defendant’s conduct; nor any stigma. Properly understood, the making of such an order in a case to which [CPR 36.17] applies indicates only that the court, when addressing the task which it is set by that rule, has not considered it unjust to make the order for indemnity costs for which the rule provides.” [15]
“It is not designed to punish unreasonable conduct but rather as an incentive to encourage claimants to make, and defendants to accept, appropriate offers of settlement. That incentive plainly cannot work unless the non-acceptance of what ultimately proves to have been a sufficient offer ordinarily advantages the claimant in the respects set out in the rule.” [15]
OMV Petrom SA v Glencore International AG [2017] EWCA Civ 195…
“…the level of interest awarded must be proportionate to the circumstances of the case. I accept that those circumstances may include, for example, (a) the length of time that elapsed between the deadline for accepting the offer and judgment, (b) whether the defendant took entirely bad points or whether it had behaved reasonably in continuing the litigation, despite the offer, to pursue its defence, and (c) what general level of disruption can be seen, without a detailed inquiry, to have been caused to the claimant as a result of the refusal to negotiate or to accept the Part 36 offer. But there will be many factors that may be relevant.” [16]
“In some cases, a proportionate rate will have to be greater than purely compensatory to provide the appropriate incentive to defendants to engage in reasonable settlement discussions and mediation aimed at achieving a compromise, to settle litigation at a reasonable level and at a reasonable time, and to mark the court’s disapproval of any unreasonable or improper conduct” [16]
Webb v Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust [2016] EWCA Civ 365 (CA)…
“In deciding what costs order to make under [36.17], the Court does not first exercise its discretion under Part 44. Its only discretion is that conferred by Part 36 itself… Part 36 does not preclude the making of an issue-based or proportionate costs order. However, a successful claimant is to be deprived of all or part of her costs only if the court considers that would be unjust for her to be awarded all or that part of her costs.” [23]
“In exercising its discretion, the Court must take into account that the unsuccessful defendant could have avoided the costs of the trial if it had accepted the claimant’s Part 36 offer, as it could and should have done.” [23]
Matthews v Metal Improvements Co. Inc [2007] EWCA Civ 215…
“The question is not whether it was reasonable for the claimant to refuse the offer. Rather, the question is whether, having regard to all the circumstances and looking at the matter as it affects both parties, an order that the claimant should pay the costs would be unjust.” [23]
Factortame v Secretary of State [2002] EWCA Civ 22…
“Each case will turn on its own circumstances, but the court should be trying to assess “who in reality is the unsuccessful party and who has been responsible for the fact that costs have been incurred which should not have been.” [23]
Lilleyman v Lilleyman (judgment on costs) [2012] EWHC 1056 (Ch)…
“The court is not constrained by the list of potentially relevant factors in Part 36.14(4) to have regard only to the circumstances of the making of the offer or the provision or otherwise of relevant information in relation to it. There is no limit to the types of circumstances which may, in a particular case, make it unjust that the ordinary consequences set out in Part 36.14 should follow.” [23]
Smith v Trafford Housing Trust [2012] EWHC 3320 (Ch)…
“the court does not have an unfettered discretion to depart from the ordinary cost consequences set out in Part 36.14. The burden on a claimant who has failed to beat the defendant’s Part 36 offer to show injustice is a formidable obstacle to the obtaining of a different costs order. If that were not so, then the salutary purpose of Part 36, in promoting compromise and the avoidance of unnecessary expenditure of costs and court time, would be undermined.” [23]
Hochtief (UK) Construction Ltd & Anor v Atkins Ltd : THE DECISION
“it would not be unjust to apply the provisions of CPR 36.17 in this case. The terms of the offer were clear. The Part 36 offer was made at a very early stage in the proceedings, after the letter of claim but before the issue of the formal claim. By that time, extensive investigations and remedial works had been concluded. The parties had sufficient information to make an informed judgment as to the merits of the case. The offer was at a level that indicated it was a genuine attempt to settle the dispute.” [17]
“The fact that the JV beat the Part 36 offer by a very small margin does not displace the Part 36.17 regime: CPR 36.17(1)(b).”
HOCHTIEF (UK) CONSTRUCTION LTD & ANOR V ATKINS LTD : FULL CASE DETAILS
The issues for determination in this case were:
i) the consequences of the claimant’s Part 36 offer;
ii) basis on which costs should be ordered; and
iii) the claimant’s application for a payment on account of costs.
On 19 May 2017 the Claimant (“the JV”) made a Claimant’s Part 36 offer to settle the claim, including interest, in the sum of £875,000.
The last date for acceptance of the offer was 9 June 2017.
The JV succeeded at trial in obtaining judgment on its claim for £879,847.76, including interest, beating its Part 36 offer by £4,847.
As a consequence, the JV sought an order for:
a) interest on the damages awarded at an enhanced rate of 6% above base rate from 10 June 2017 to 31 July 2019;
b) costs on the indemnity basis from 10 June 2017;
c) interest on those costs at an enhanced rate of 6% above base rate from 10 June 2017; and
d) an additional sum of £65,123.77.
MR JUSTICE O’FARRELL
14. In McPhelmy v The Times Newspapers Ltd (No.2) [2001] EWCA Civ 933, the underlying purpose of the provisions was explained by Chadwick LJ:
15. In that case the Court of Appeal explained that the provisions were not limited to cases where there was unreasonable conduct on the part of the defendant – see Chadwick LJ at [9]:
16. In OMV Petrom SA v Glencore International AG [2017] EWCA Civ 195, Sir Geoffrey Vos, Chancellor, identified the factors that could be considered when determining the appropriate rate of enhanced interest, if any, to award:
17. Subject to the issue of costs addressed below,
it would not be unjust to apply the provisions of CPR 36.17 in this case. The terms of the offer were clear. The Part 36 offer was made at a very early stage in the proceedings, after the letter of claim but before the issue of the formal claim. By that time, extensive investigations and remedial works had been concluded. The parties had sufficient information to make an informed judgment as to the merits of the case. The offer was at a level that indicated it was a genuine attempt to settle the dispute.
18. Having regard to those matters, the JV is entitled to an enhanced rate of interest on damages and costs from the date of expiry of the offer. Atkins’ conduct was not unreasonable so as to attract the maximum rate as applied in OMV. I consider that 6% above base rate (the mid-point between the 2% agreed on damages and the maximum of 10%) is appropriate in all the circumstances. The JV is entitled to the additional sum of £65,123.77. The JV is also entitled to have such costs as are ordered assessed on an indemnity basis.
19. The JV’s position is that it has beaten its Part 36 offer and therefore is entitled to recover all its costs on the more favourable terms set out above.
20. Atkins submits that the court should make an issues-based or proportional costs award to reflect the following:
21. The fact that the JV beat the Part 36 offer by a very small margin does not displace the Part 36.17 regime: CPR 36.17(1)(b).
22. The general provisions of CPR 44 do not apply where the costs consequences of a Part 36 offer apply: CPR 44.2(4)(c).
“The fact that the JV beat the Part 36 offer by a very small margin does not displace the Part 36.17 regime: CPR 36.17(1)(b). The general provisions of CPR 44 do not apply where the costs consequences of a Part 36 offer apply: CPR 44.2(4)(c).”
23. In Webb v Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust [2016] EWCA Civ 365 (CA) Sir Stanley Burnton set out the relevant principles and the approach to be applied in such cases:
24. I consider that in the circumstances of this case it would be unjust to require Atkins to pay the JV’s costs of the Underpass claim. This case comprised two separate claims. Physically, they were separate structures. The factual, technical and expert issues on each claim were different. The defects and physical damage to each structure were different. There were separate financial damages in relation to each claim. The length of the trial would have been shorter and the costs of the trial would have been reduced had the claim been limited to the Bridge claim. The JV was the successful party on the Bridge claim but Atkins was the successful party on the Underpass claim.
25. I have considered whether an issues-based order should be made. It would be possible to apportion the costs as between the two claims. However, that would not give sufficient weight to the fact that the JV’s offer, which was an offer to settle both claims, was one that should have been accepted. A proportional costs order would be the fairest way of reflecting the relative success and failure of each party at trial, including the consequences of the JV’s Part 36 offer.
26. For those reasons I conclude that Atkins should pay 85% of the JV’s costs, such costs to be subject to a detailed assessment on the indemnity basis.
27. At the CCMC on 23 January 2018, the JV’s costs budget dated 5 December 2017, indicating a sum of £353,331 in respect of future costs, was approved by the court (subject to revision in respect of disclosure). The total costs in the approved JV budget were £650,998.74.
28. The JV’s total costs are significantly higher, in the sum of £1,075,441.71.
29. It is too late for the Court to consider any amendments to the costs budgets at this stage for the reasons set out by Coulson J (as he then was) in Elvanite Full Circle Ltd v Amec Earth and Environmental (UK) Ltd [2013] EWHC 1643 (TCC) at [37]; Board of Trustees of National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside v AEW Architects and Designers Ltd [2013] EWHC 3025 (TCC) per Akenhead J at [40].
30. However, it would be appropriate for this Court to observe that the trial was adjourned part heard for reasons beyond the control of the JV and the costs of the adjournment, including counsel’s fees, were reasonably incurred in principle. That would be an appropriate reason to depart from the costs budget.
31. The costs associated with the production of the second experts’ joint statement could not have been reasonably anticipated in the costs budget and are also an appropriate reason to depart from the costs budget.
32. All other costs issues are matters for the costs judge.
33. The JV seeks a payment on account of its costs.
34. CPR 44.2(8) provides that where the court orders a party to pay costs subject to detailed assessment, it will order that party to pay a reasonable sum on account of costs, unless there is good reason not to do so.
35. Where the amount of costs is to be assessed on the indemnity basis:
36. In assessing the reasonableness of the incidence and amount of the costs incurred, the court will have regard to all the circumstances, including the conduct of the parties, the value of the claim, the importance of the matter to the parties, the complexity of the issue, and the receiving party’s last approved or agreed budget: CPR 44.4.
37. In the absence of an approved revised costs budget, for the purpose of a payment on account, I use the original approved budget but take into account the Court’s observations as to the reasonableness of additional costs incurred. Having regard to the proportional costs order made, and taking the above matters into account, I consider that a reasonable sum on account of costs is £500,000.
i) The Defendant shall pay to the Claimants interest upon damages for the period up to and including 9 June 2017 in the agreed sum of £77,372.41 by 4.00 pm on 9 December 2019.
ii) The Defendant shall pay to the Claimants interest upon damages at a rate of 6% above the Bank of England base rate from time to time for the period from 10 June 2017 until Judgment on 31 July 2019, in the sum of £112,812.20, such sum to be paid by 4.00 pm on 9 December 2019.
iii) The Defendant shall pay to the Claimants an additional amount of £65,123.77, such sum to be paid by 4 pm on 25 November 2019.
iv) The Defendant shall pay 85% of the Claimants’ costs of the action, such costs to be subject to detailed assessment if not agreed on the standard basis up to and including 9 June 2017 and on the indemnity basis from 10 June 2017.
v) The Defendant shall pay interest on the Claimants’ recoverable costs at a rate of 6% above the Bank of England base rate from time to time from 10 June 2017.
vi) The Defendant shall pay to the Claimants the sum of £500,000 on account of such costs, such sum to be paid by 4.00 pm on 25 November 2019.
Additional amount, Claimant's Part 36 Offer, CPR 36, CPR 36.17, CPR 36.17(4), CPR 36.17(5), Genuine offer, Part 36, Unjust consequences
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