Bedi, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Hounslow

1. MR JUSTICE COLLINS: Now, Mr Bedi, as we have discussed, and for the reasons I have indicated, I am afraid I am going to have to refuse permission. As I say, you at least have the advantage that it has not cost you anything, at least not cost you anything so far as court fees and other side's fees are concerned, and leave it to you to decide whether you wish to pursue it any further. But you can indicate, if there is any problem raised at any lower court, if you do decide to pursue any claim -- and I am not saying that you have a good claim; I have not gone into that -- that I have indicated that in my view quite clearly this is a matter that is not a public law claim and which should be pursued, if it is to be pursued, as an ordinary civil claim.

2. THE CLAIMANT: Thank you, my Lord.

3. MR JUSTICE COLLINS: All right?

4. THE CLAIMANT: My Lord, you have mentioned I have not lost anything. I would ask your Lordship to grant me to this cost because I'm litigant in person and I believe I'm entitled to it.

5. MR JUSTICE COLLINS: No, you are not entitled to any costs. You have not succeeded. All that you are entitled to is that you do not have to pay anyone else's costs. I know there are court fees, but those, I am afraid, are irrecoverable. We are actually the cheapest court, civil, or one of the cheapest. It only costs you £100, I think. No, I am sorry, I cannot give you any costs, but, as I say, I am not going to order you to pay any costs. Technically, you could be ordered to pay the costs of the authority in producing their Acknowledgment of Service if they had asked for it, but I think I might have been sympathetic enough not to order those in any event.

6. THE CLAIMANT: Thank you, my Lord. We hereby certify that the above is an accurate and complete transcription of the Stenograph notes of WordWave International Limited Signed: WORDWAVE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED