How are costs typically awarded in civil proceedings?

• A. Costs are shared equally between parties
• B. The judge decides randomly on who pays
• C. The unsuccessful party pays only their own costs
• D. The unsuccessful party pays the successful party's costs in addition to their own

Answer: (D)

In civil proceedings, the general rule is that costs follow the event: the losing party pays the winning party’s costs, and usually also their own. This means the unsuccessful party bears both their own legal costs and the costs incurred by the successful party in pursuing the claim. The judge can adjust the amount or basis (standard or indemnity) and may depart from this in certain situations, but the default position is that the unsuccessful party pays the successful party’s costs in addition to their own. That’s why the option describing the loser paying the successful party’s costs plus their own is the correct one.