QFC 0073/2023, [2025] QIC (C) 5

Waqar Zaman v Meinhardt BIM Studios LLC and Meinhardt (Singapore) Pte

This case involved costs where the claimant had self represented and later been represented pro bono by a law firm.

Background

On 23 June 2024 and by a majority (Justices George Arestis and Helen Mountfield KC), the First Instance Circuit awarded the Claimant QAR 612,000 plus interest and costs in a claim brought for unpaid wages and emoluments arising from a contract between him and the First Defendant. The Court also ordered the First Defendant pay the reasonable costs of the Claimant in bringing the claim ([2024] QIC (F) 25). 2. On 1 December 2024, the Appellate Division dismissed the appeal and directed that, subject to any submissions made by the Appellants (also known collectively as, ‘Meinhardt’), any costs incurred by the Respondent to the appeal (the Claimant) were to be paid by the First Appellant ([2024] QIC (A) 12). 3. The parties had not agreed any of the costs in the case, despite efforts on the part of the Claimant, and therefore the Registrar had to assess those costs.