Costs awarded against SFO

The SFO has been ordered to pay costs arising from the failed “Celtic” prosecution (R v Evans & Others) on the basis that the SFO as prosecutor was responsible for an “unnecessary or improper act or omission.”

Costs were also awarded to the defendants on an indemnity basis following the SFO’s unsuccessful application to apply for a voluntary bill of indictment.

Hickinbottom J criticised the SFO for putting forward a “sequence of different cases that stood no real prospect of success.”

Guy Ladenburg appeared on behalf of the defendant Stephen Davies QC at the contested costs hearing in Cardiff before Hickinbottom J in January 2015, led by Michael Beloff QC and instructed by Charles Russell Speechlys.

13th February 2015