What occurs if a pleading is amended without obtaining leave from the court?

When a pleading is amended without obtaining leave from the court, the correct outcome is that a costs order will usually be against the amending party. This is grounded in the principle that parties are required to follow procedural rules, and failing to seek the court's permission to amend is typically viewed as non-compliance with established procedures.

The court has inherent powers to control its own process, and one element of that control involves ensuring that its procedural rules are adhered to. When a party unilaterally amends a pleading without the necessary approval, it can lead to additional work and complications for the other party, necessitating their need to respond to the changes which may disrupt the orderly progress of the proceedings.

Consequently, as a means of maintaining procedural integrity and fairness, the court may order that the party who made the amendment bears the costs incurred by the other party as a result of that unapproved amendment. This serves both as a form of accountability and as a deterrent against disregard for court procedures.