Tharros Shipping Co Ltd and Anr v Bias Shipping Ltd and Ors (The “Griparion”) - Court of Appeal (Butler-Sloss and Phillips LJJ and Sir John Balcombe) - 21 October 1996

Practice - Costs order against unsuccessful party not satisfied - Unsuccessful party had been supported by P & I Club - Whether court should make order under section 51 of the Supreme Court Act 1981 ordering Club to pay successful party’s costs

The first plaintiff shipowners demise-chartered their vessel Griparion to the first defendant charterers (“Bias”) for a minimum period of 38 months. By the terms of the charter Bias were obliged to maintain the vessel and to redeliver it in like good order and condition as on delivery. The obligations of Bias under the charter were guaranteed by the second and third defendants.