In Macteldir Pty Limited v Roskov [2007] FCAFC 49, the subject of the last post but one, the Full Federal Court explained the ambit of Order 62 rule 9 of the Federal Court Rules (which is reproduced in the previous post):
‘The Relevant Principles
[56] The parties generally accepted as correct the statements of principle found in Levick v Commissioner of Taxation (2000) 102 FCR 155 at [43] and [44]. Thus, in a claim under O 62 r 9, it is necessary for a client to demonstrate a serious dereliction of duty by the legal practitioner or a failure on the part of the legal practitioner to fulfil a duty owed to the Court to aid in promoting, in the practitioner’s own sphere, the cause of justice. It will often be difficult for a court to know all of the details and circumstances of a legal practitioner’s instructions. Further, the Court must be concerned about the risk of a practice developing whereby legal practitioners endeavour to brow beat their opponents into aban-doning clients, or particular issues or arguments, for fear of a personal costs order being made. Continue reading “Full Federal Court explains its Rules’ wasted costs jurisdiction”