What is the purpose of costs?
The purpose of costs is to compensate a party for costs incurred, where it is just to do so. Appeal hearings can be expensive for everyone involved. The awarding of costs encourages parties to exercise their appeal rights responsibly. Costs are not intended to penalise an unsuccessful party or to discourage people from participation in appeals. The Environment Court will only decide to award costs if it is justified in the circumstances of the case.
