UK · EWCACourt order
Court of Appeal calls £2 million brief fee for four-day appeal "astonishing" and cuts Russia's security bill
The Court of Appeal ordered Russia to provide £975,000 in security for costs for its appeal in a long-running arbitration award enforcement case, not the £2.5 million sought, calling a £2 million brief fee for leading counsel "astonishing", Legal Futures reported on October 23, 2026. Lord Justice Fancourt, sitting with Lord Justice Phillips, said the sums could not be justified, at least for the purposes of security for a four-day appeal.
Key points
- Three companies are enforcing Dutch arbitration awards finding Russia liable for about $50 billion plus interest.Legal Futures
- The respondents expected costs above £3.6 million and sought 70% as security.Legal Futures
- Leading counsel's refreshers were £20,000 a day; junior counsel's brief fee was £375,000 with £3,750 refreshers.Legal Futures
- The court allowed £600,000 for counsel's fees and £375,000 for solicitors' costs and disbursements.Legal Futures
- It questioned duplication in Stephenson Harwood's £675,000 profit costs.Legal Futures
- The appeal, against a ruling by Mr. Justice Bright on preliminary issues, is due next summer.Legal Futures