BAKERPLATT made history in the Royal Court last week when they became the first Jersey law firm to obtain, for the benefit of their client, a summary assessment of costs, which must now be paid by the other party.

The ruling was made possible because of recent changes to Jersey law, and it is believed that it will now have significant implications for the awarding of costs in dispute cases in the future.

In this case, which was held in the Royal Court on 18 February, partner David Wilson and senior associate William Redgrave were acting in relation to a shareholder dispute before the Royal Court involving a Jersey company. Having successfully resisted the other party’s application to stay the proceedings, Advocate Wilson applied to have his costs assessed by the court at the hearing itself. The court agreed and, for the first time in Jersey, made an immediate order that the other party pay a definite sum to BakerPlatt’s client to cover legal costs.

Pictured: BakerPlatt partner David Wilson