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PropertyMonday 7 September 2026

High Court dismisses appeal against non-party costs order based on personal and family interests in litigation

Judgment was handed down last week by Mr Justice Thompsell in Simon Halabi v Michael Gaymer [2026] EWHC 2269 (Ch).

This is part of long-running litigation between Michael Gaymer, the owner of a golf course and club house adjoining Mentmore Towers in Buckinghamshire, and various companies associated with Simon Halabi, an international businessman. Numerous costs orders made in Mr Gaymer’s favour against the Halabi entities having gone unpaid, His Honour Judge Murch in Luton County Court made a third-party costs order by which Mr Halabi became jointly liable for costs with Mentmore Greenland Limited, a company of which Mr Halabi is a director. Thompsell J dismissed Mr Halabi’s appeal against the Judge’s order, holding that he had good grounds for concluding that Mr Halabi had a personal interest in the litigation and was the real party to the litigation conducted in the company’s name.

Joanne Wicks KC appeared for Mr Gaymer with Alex Hill-Smith of New Square Chambers, instructed by Philip Shaw and Catherine Prendergast of Knights Plc.

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