Standard basis

The basis of assessment of a party's costs of litigation where the court will only allow costs which are reasonable in amount, and reasonably incurred, and proportionate to the matters in issue and the court will resolve any doubt which it may have as to these in favour of the paying party (CPR 44.3(2)). This means that the party seeking to recover its costs (receiving party) has to prove the reasonableness and proportionality of the amount claimed. This is the basis on which most costs orders are made and if a party does not ask for costs on the alternative indemnity basis, then the standard basis is what will be ordered. For further information, see Proportionality and Practice note, Detailed assessment: what it is and the basis of assessment. See also Practice note, Indemnity costs.