BP v The London Borough of Harrow (Costs) [2019] EWCOP 20

Application in respect of costs within proceedings brought under Section 21A of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 was dismissed.

The applicant, the P by the Official Solicitor as Litigation Friend, submitted that this is a case where it is appropriate to depart from the usual costs rule and to order the costs of a hearing be paid by the Respondent, The London Borough of Harrow, because of the Respondent's consistent failure to offer a trial period at home before the start of and for the duration of the proceedings, and its decision to do so only after the hearing had commenced.

The court dismissed the application. On balance and considering the circumstances as a whole, the court was not persuaded that it was appropriate to depart from the general rule on this occasion. The Respondent's conduct fell short, to what degree is immaterial, of the necessary test. This case did not represent a blatant disregard of the processes of the Act and the Respondent's obligation to respect BP's rights under ECHR as in the Manchester case.

Read the full text of the judgment on Bailii