In compulsory acquisition proceedings before the SAT, the presumptive position under s 87(1) that parties bear their own costs applies, and it is wrong to conclude that a landowner should ordinarily pay the resuming authority's costs merely because the landowner fails to establish a value exceeding the authority's offer. The observations of Barker J in Clifford suggesting a 'costs follow the event' approach in land compensation cases should not be followed. The withdrawal of proceedings under s 46 does not create a presumption that the withdrawing party should pay costs. Appeals from SAT costs decisions on questions of law will face significant hurdles, as the court will exercise considerable restraint in granting leave on questions of practice and procedure.
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