Practical Law

Last November, The Association of Costs Lawyers (ACL) held its first in-person conference since the onset of the pandemic. Whilst it was of course nice to actually converse with colleagues without them being on a screen, it also gave costs lawyers the opportunity to exchange views on the directions of costs law and also do … Continue reading The Association of Costs Lawyers Annual Conference: the survey results are in →

Costs capping orders (CCOs) are a rare beast. Their exceptionality has recently been confirmed in Thomas and others v PGI Group Ltd, in which it was accepted that since the new world for costs began on 1 April 2013, not a single such order under CPR 3.19 has been made.

All civil litigation lawyers tell their clients at the outset of litigation that (a) it is an expensive business and (b) the loser generally pays for it all. This is, after all, enshrined in CPR 44.2(2): “(a) The general rule is that the unsuccessful party will be ordered to pay the costs of the successful … Continue reading Normal costs consequences (and beyond?) →

As a costs lawyer, one of the topics I like to bore my solicitor clients with is Part 36 and its wider implications. Used correctly, a well-thought-through approach to Part 36 offers can see early resolution of disputes and considerable costs savings, and in the absence of a resolution a well-pitched Part 36 offer can … Continue reading The benefits of Part 36: all or nothing or some? →

The grim reaches of COVID-19 are affecting all corners of society in a way that few could have imagined even 12 weeks ago. With a vaccine deemed unlikely to be readily available this year, the mantra we will be getting used to over the next few weeks relates to the need to create a “new … Continue reading Remote hearings in costs proceedings: the new normal? →

As another summer draws to a close we can all recall the newsworthy computer glitches and strikes which caused a great many flights to be delayed or cancelled, causing disruption and inconvenience to thousands of travellers.

The ongoing saga surrounding personal injury firms’ tussles with costs recovery specialists has resulted in some important guidance for solicitors on permissible fee arrangements. The implications on the charging structures for the sector could be profound, especially in respect of conditional fee agreements (CFAs) and the charging of success fees.