Patents Act 1977

106 Costs and expenses in proceedings before the Court F1 .... U.K.

(1) In [F2 proceedings to which this section applies] under section 40 above (whether on an application or on appeal to the court), the court, in determining whether to award costs or expenses to any party and what costs or expenses to award, shall have regard to all the relevant circumstances, including the financial position of the parties.

[F3 (1A) This section applies to proceedings before the court (including proceedings on an appeal to the court) which are—

(a) proceedings under section 40;

(b) proceedings for infringement;

(c) proceedings under section 70; or

(d) proceedings on an application for a declaration or declarator under section 71.]

(2) If in any such proceedings the Patents Court directs that any costs of one party shall be paid by another party, the court may settle the amount of the costs by fixing a lump sum or may direct that the costs shall be taxed on a scale specified by the court, being a scale of costs prescribed by the Rules of the Supreme Court or by the County Court Rules.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 106 heading repealed (1.1.2005) by Patents Act 2004 (c. 16), s. 17(1), Sch. 3; S.I. 2004/3205, art. 2(g) (with art. 9)

F2 Words in s. 106(1) substituted (1.1.2005) by Patents Act 2004 (c. 16), s. 14(2)(4), 17(1); S.I. 2004/3205, art. 2(e) (with art. 9)

F3 S. 106(1A) inserted (1.1.2005) by Patents Act 2004 (c. 16), s. 14(3)(4), 17(1); S.I. 2004/3205, art. 2(e) (with art. 9)