International Longshore and Warehouse Union v. Harris, 2002 FCA 162

Date: 20020429

Docket: A-15-00, A-290-00

Neutral citation: 2002 FCA 162

BETWEEN:

                                              INTERNATIONAL LONGSHORE AND

                                             WAREHOUSE UNION, SHIP AND DOCK

                                                             FOREMAN, LOCAL 514

                                                                                                                                                       Applicant

                                                                              - and -

                                    EMPIRE INTERNATIONAL STEVEDORES LTD.

                                                             and WILLIAM HARRIS         

                                                                                                                                               Respondents

                                               ASSESSMENT OF COSTS - REASONS

Charles E. Stinson

Assessment Officer

[1]                 These matters were heard together. The Applicant was awarded costs of the judicial review as against the Respondent, William Harris. The Respondent's solicitor of record responded to notice of the timetable issued for written disposition of the Applicant's bill of costs by noting that he was not involved and had no instructions to act. By virtue of Rules 123 to 126 inclusive, the Respondent has had notice and the assessment shall proceed.

[2]                 The Federal Court Rules, 1998, do not contemplate a litigant, having proper notice of an assessment of costs and failing to participate, benefiting by an assessment officer abdicating a position of neutrality to act as the litigant's advocate in challenging given items in a bill of costs. However, the assessment officer cannot certify unlawful items, i.e. those outside the authority of the judgment and the tariff. I examined each item claimed in the Applicant's bill of costs and the supporting materials within those parameters. Although there are difficulties with the choice of certain fee items, the total amount claimed for fees could be arguable within the limit of the tariff.

[3]                 The Applicant's bill of costs, presented at $5,602.88, is assessed and allowed at $5,602.88 as against the Respondent, William Harris.

(Sgd.) "Charles E. Stinson"

Assessment Officer

Vancouver, B.C.

April 29, 2002

                                                    FEDERAL COURT OF CANADA

                                                                 APPEAL DIVISION

                              NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

DOCKET:                                             A-15-00, A-290-00

STYLE OF CAUSE:

INTERNATIONAL LONGSHORE AND

WAREHOUSE UNION, SHIP AND DOCK

FOREMAN, LOCAL 514

                                                                                                                                                         Applicant

                                                                              - and -

EMPIRE INTERNATIONAL STEVEDORES LTD.

and WILLIAM HARRIS           

                                                                                                                                                    Respondents

ASSESSMENT OF COSTS IN WRITING WITHOUT PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF PARTIES

REASONS BY:                                   CHARLES E. STINSON

DATED:                                                April 29, 2002

SOLICITORS OF RECORD

Lindsey Kenney                                                                              for Applicant

Vancouver, B.C.

Ib S. Petersen                                                                                  for Respondent, William Harris

Vancouver, B.C.