Lawyers for Clive Palmer have appeared in court following the mining magnate's decision to drop a defamation suit against an independent Football Federation Australia arbitrator, a publisher and a journalist.
Mr Palmer launched the action in January 2012 after independent FFA arbitrator Shaun McCarthy ruled a now defunct football club owned by the billionaire "acted dishonourably" in breaching a player's contract.
He also attempted to sue the publisher of The Gold Coast Bulletin, which reported the story, and one of its journalists.
The Queensland Supreme Court judge presiding over the matter received a letter last week from Mr Palmer's lawyers saying they didn't wish to proceed.
As Mr Palmer prepares to present his maiden speech in federal parliament, lawyers for both sides fronted the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday to argue over legal costs.
Barrister Rob Anderson, for Mr McCarthy, Gold Coast Publications and journalist Mark Pangallo, asked for costs be awarded on an indemnity basis rather than a standard basis, which would require Mr Palmer to pay a much higher percentage.
He said the proceedings were characterised by "significant and unexplained delays".
Mr Anderson also sought to have the matter dismissed rather than discontinued in a bid to prevent Mr Palmer from revisiting the case.
Judge Roslyn Atkinson reserved her decision.
