The costs hearing in the Nikita Hand/Conor McGregor/James Lawrence case was to take place today but I learned on the news last night that it has been put back to next week.
I wonder why.
The costs order should, on the face of it, be a straightforward affair.
“Costs follow the event” is the usual rule. This means the loser must pay the costs of the winner.
So, Nikita Hand won against Conor McGregor and McGregor should have to pay her costs. But she lost against James Lawrence so she should have to pay Lawrence’s costs.
There is only one fly in the ointment, as I see it. Judges have a wide discretion when it comes to costs and the suggestion by senior counsel for Nikita Hand that James Lawrence entered the proceedings as a fall guy or patsy for his friend, Conor McGregor, may be taken into consideration.
If it is taken seriously by the judge, and the fact that Conor McGregor is paying Lawrence’s legal fees, the judge may depart from the usual course and make an order that is not as straightforward as you might normally expect.
I am speculating, of course, and have no insider knowledge.