Comreg to seek legal costs against Smart over failed 3G mobile licence

COMREG has told the High Court it will be seeking legal costs at the highest level against Smart Telecom following Smart’s unsuccessful court bid to overturn ComReg’s refusal to grant it the lucrative 3G mobile phone licence.

The issue of who will pay the costs of the 14-day hearing will come before Mr Justice Peter Kelly on November 20. The costs are likely to be well in excess of €1 million.

Michael Cush SC for Smart, told the judge yesterday his side was willing to pay costs on a party-party basis (the usual costs basis) but were opposed to an application by Michael Howard SC, for ComReg, to pay costs on a solicitor-client basis (the highest level).