Security for costs and non-resident plaintiffs

What is security for costs?

It is a fact of life that plaintiffs and defendants in legal proceedings represented by lawyers will incur costs, which in some cases can be substantial.

Generally, the unsuccessful party in those proceedings is ordered to pay the costs of the successful party. Those costs are usually either agreed between the parties to the proceedings or assessed by a Court appointed costs assessor.

If you have been sued by someone (the plaintiff), and you are concerned that the plaintiff will not be able to pay your costs if you are successful in the proceedings, you can in some circumstances ask the court to order the plaintiff to provide security for your costs of the proceedings.