Written question asked by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Monday, 21 July 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 September 2014 (named day). It was answered by Shailesh Vara (Conservative) on Friday, 12 September 2014 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Financial Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he plans to take to enforce the payment of costs awarded against off-shore hedge funds by the courts in civil cases decided in the UK.

Answer: The primary function of the civil courts is to provide a forum in which private individuals can resolve their disputes. It is for the creditor to pursue enforcement of any costs order in his or her favour in another jurisdiction. The success of enforcement abroad largely depends on the nature of the order and where it is to be enforced, since the recognition and enforcement of judgments of a foreign jurisdiction will depend on the private international law rules (including any rules applicable due to international agreements) of the state in which it is sought to enforce.

Secondary information