In Richards v Hutchinson (No. 2) [2024] QSC 99, the Supreme Court of Queensland addressed costs associated with claims brought by Kate Richards against David Hutchinson and others. The plaintiff, Kate Richards, had initiated a defamation claim in December 2020, alleging that a media release published in December 2019 by the defendants defamed her. The claim was later amended to include another defamation claim and a civil conspiracy claim. On 2 May 2024, the Court dismissed Richards' application to extend the limitation period for the second defamation claim and granted summary judgment in favour of all defendants concerning the second defamation claim and for some defendants on the other claims. Subsequently, the Court ordered Richards to pay the defendants' costs for both her and the defendants' applications, with costs being assessed on a standard basis. However, the costs of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, and ninth defendants were reserved, as those defendants no longer had a role in the continuing proceedings. The Court considered relevant factors regarding cost assessments and determined not to delay the assessment of these costs as requested by Richards.
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