Costing Tip of the Month

December 22, 2023

Provision of all relevant documents for costing – including court bundles with all orders. Helpful if Court Bundle for final hearing also included.

High Court judge says costs orders can “register condemnation” of parties acting unreasonably

December 22, 2023

A judge in a family case reminded lawyers that they have a duty to advise clients that an “untenable case risks adverse costs orders being made”. In the judgement, an order was made in the wife’s favour but she was ordered to pay towards the husband’s costs after seeking an unreasonable figure. To read the full article click here https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/costs-orders-can-register-condemnation-of-unreasonable-parties-says-high-court-judge/5118132.article?

Costing Tip of the Month

October 5, 2023

Disbursements: is prior authority required to incur expenditure? Beware instructing Interpreters and translators, it is the Courts’ responsibility to arrange translation at Court, not all documents need to be translated. Ensure that letters of instruction to experts make clear the LAA codified rates for experts and that the invoice includes a breakdown of work undertaken and is, when necessary, apportioned in accordance with the order instructing the expert.

Costs judge rules that monthly invoices were not “statutory bills”

October 5, 2023

The right to have legal bills worth £12.8m assessed by a former client has been granted by Costs Judge Leonard. It was found that the invoices issued over a six-year period were not statutory bills “because any such agreement would have been inconsistent with the terms of the retainer under which they were rendered and paid”. To read the full article click here https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/monthly-invoices-were-not-statutory-bills-costs-judge-rules/5117256.article?

Tip of the month

August 21, 2023

Listing time for FAS purposes: only claim time from when the matter is listed, FAS start times must agree with the listed start time. The Advocate’s attendance note should support the FAS claim.