2009-06-04 | permalink

State of South Africa has to pay Biowatch costs after all

THE Constitutional Court yesterday ordered three government bodies responsible for monitoring the development of genetically modified organisms to pay the costs of nongovernmental organisation Biowatch in its 2005 high court application. The judgment deals with the proper approach that courts should adopt when making costs awards in constitutional litigation. It also set an important precedent for those promoting the public interest, allowing them to litigate to gain their rights without necessarily fearing the ”chilling effect” of costs orders against them, Biowatch director Rose Williams said.

• Business Day, South Africa: State has to pay Biowatch costs after all