PILBARA IRON COMPANY (SERVICES) PTY LTD -v- CHEVRON (TAPL) PTY LTD [2020] WASC 296 (14 August 2020)

1. For the reasons I have given, I am satisfied that the limits sought to be removed should be removed. The removal of those limits does not mean that the taxing officer must allow an amount greater than those limits. It remains for the taxing officer to determine what is reasonable.
2. I will make the orders sought, with an amendment to proposed order 2(b) so as to correct what appears to be a typographical error. I would not order that the costs be taxed without the limits imposed by the 'maximum allowances for ... experience of legal practitioners'. Rather, order 2(b) will relevantly be that the costs be taxed without the limits imposed by the maximum allowances for time, number of legal practitioners and total costs or by the classification of the experience of the fee earner.

I certify that the preceding paragraph(s) comprise the reasons for decision of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.