Pubs which won test action against FBD not entitled to  highest scale of legal costs

People walk past an FBD branch in Drumcondra, Dublin. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

 The High Court has ruled that four publicans who won significant test actions over FBD's failure to pay out on business disruption claims caused by Covid-19, are entitled to their legal costs, but not on the highest scale.

In his judgement Mr Justice Denis McDonald said while it was accepted that the actions were important test actions, the court, after considering various legal authorities on the issue, could see no proper basis to order that the costs should be assessed on the legal practioner and client basis — the highest level of costs that can be awarded.