Hickman & Rose client secures indemnity costs in “wrong” and “opportunistic” contempt case

Hickman & Rose client, the specialist IP law firm Stobbs, has secured indemnity costs after a judge ruled that a contempt of court action brought against it and two of its lawyers was “wrong” and “opportunistic”.

The High Court last month struck out a contempt action brought by a UK wholesaler against Stobbs and its vape manufacturer client. Judge Paul Matthews ruled there was “nothing improper” in their actions.

Now, as reported in both Law 360 and Legal Futures, HHJ Matthews has ordered the wholesaler pay indemnity costs, which will be subject to a detailed assessment.

In his ruling, Judge Matthews described the acts alleged to have constituted contempt of court as “the kind of thing which solicitors do all the time.”

“It is hard to understand how [the wholesaler’s] solicitors can have formed the view that this conduct could have amounted to a criminal offense. I had little difficulty in reaching the conclusion,” the judge added.

Stobbs was represented in the contempt action by Hickman & Rose’s Stefano Ruis and Katherine Sorab instructing Fiona Horlick KC and Charlotte Elves.

Stefano Ruis described the costs ruling as “exceptional”.

A spokesman for Stobbs said: “At Stobbs, we fight hard for the brand owners we represent. We know litigation will often be a tough fight, but tactics should not include criminal contempt applications or threats of regulatory reporting”.