In the case of Thompson v Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rescue (Qld) Inc [2024] QSC 197, the Supreme Court of Queensland adjudicated an application from James Boyd Thompson challenging directions made by the costs assessor, Peter Arthur, related to a cost assessment stemming from prior litigation with the first respondent. Thompson contended that he had not been granted procedural fairness, as he received redacted documents while the costs assessor was provided with unredacted versions, raising concerns about the principles of natural justice. The court examined whether the directions aligned with the requirement to ensure fairness in the assessment process. Ultimately, it was determined that the existing directions were incompatible with natural justice, leading to their annulment. The judge ordered that new directives be issued to ensure both parties had equal visibility of all relevant documents.
top of page
bottom of page