The phrase "substantial indemnity" means that someone will be compensated or paid a significant amount of money to cover damages, losses, or expenses they have incurred. Full definition
(4) attempting to unduly minimize the quantum of otherwise usual amounts of costs including substantial indemnity costs on the basis of proportionality, would be, in my view, to sanction under compensation of Plaintiffs for costs legitimately incurred to make many lawsuits uneconomic and could generally discourage Plaintiffs with modest claims, even if valid from pursuing them. (bonnlaw.ca)
This strategy came back to haunt the company in the form of an award of substantial indemnity costs as well as an award of nominal costs following the appeal. (ropergreyell.com)
We sanction untowards behaviour in Canada by awarding costs, typically on a partial or substantial indemnity scale. (slaw.ca)