Green Party's Patrick Costello gets half of legal costs of failed challenge to Ceta deal

Ms Justice Nuala Butler said today she was making that costs order because the case was of “clear public interest” and raised “novel” questions of constitutional law

Patrick Costello brought the case over concerns, including about the constitutionality of provisions in Ceta for “investor courts” to decide complaints by Canadians who invest in EU member states. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Green Party TD Patrick Costello has been awarded half his legal costs of his failed High Court challenge over the constitutionality of aspects of the Ceta EU-Canada trade deal.

Ms Justice Nuala Butler, who dismissed the challenge last month, said today she was making that costs order because the case was of “clear public interest” and raised “novel” questions of constitutional law in respect of the State’s adherence to international treaties with binding tribunal mechanisms.