If not specified, costs not included

In a case where an action had already been settled, and an offer had been made, but it had not specified whether it included the cost of the preparation of the bill of costs, the Court of Appeal ruled that those costs were not included. The case involved a road traffic accident, after which the claim was settled, and the claimants’ solicitors served a bill of costs, after which costs-only proceedings were begun. A district judge had disallowed any costs of the detailed assessment proceedings. This was overturned by the County Court, and then this was appealed.