Latest News

Supreme Court: Decision in Menzies overturned—deduction of fees from damages was not ‘payment’

Read the full judgment in Oakwood Solicitors Ltd v Menzies [2024] UKSC 34.

SCCO compels parties to explore ADR in detailed assessment proceedings

Read the full judgment in Elphicke -v- Times Media Limited [2024] EWHC 2595 (KB).

No Wasted Costs Order against solicitors acting for fundamentally dishonest Claimant

Read the full judgment in Williams-Henry v Associated British Ports & Anor [2024] EWHC 2415 (KB).

Parties Are Facing Costs Sanctions for Unrealistically High Budgets

Read the full judgments in Jenkins v Thurrock Council [2024] EWHC 2248 (KB) (09 September 2024) and Worcester v Hopley [2024] EWHC 2181 (KB) (21 August 2024).

New “Leading Decision” on Interim Statute Bills (Court of Appeal)

Read the full judgment in Signature Litigation LLP v Ivanishvili [2024] EWCA Civ 901.

Guidance on Costs Budgets, from the Largest Ever Costs Management Exercise

Read the full judgment in Pan NOx Emissions Litigations [2024] EWHC 1728 (KB).

Calderbank Offers Ignored Where Both Sides “Win” and “Lose”

Read the full judgment in Aymes International Ltd v Nutrition4u BV & Ors

Defendant Ordered To Pay Costs Where Claimant Discontinued

Read the full judgment in Benjamin v Benjamin & Anor

Guildeline Hourly Rates To Be Uprated from 1 January 2024

Sir Geoffrey Vos has accepted the recent recommendations from the Civil Justice Council to increase the current Guideline Hourly Rates from 1 January 2024 in line with producer price index. The rates have been confirmed as follows:

No Limit on Costs Recovery Where Client Terminates CFA

Read the full judgment in Sellers v Simpkins

High Court Rules party can receive multiple orders for interim payments on account of costs

Read the full judgement of Trotman v Master Brickwork London Essex Ltd

Variation of Budget Allowed to Include Surveillance Evidence Obtained pre-CMO

Read the full judgement of Purser v Hibbs & Anr

Judge Allows a Third Party’s Costs in Full

Read the full judgement of Next Generation Holdings Ltd & Anor v Finch Ors

Court Finds Dentons Test Applies to Applications to Set Aside Default Judgments

Read the full judgment of FXF -v- English Karate Federation Limited & Anor

Court Rejects Council’s Appeal Over Hourly Rates

Read the full judgement of Harlow District Council v Powerrapid Ltd

SCCO Refuses to Order Provisional Assessment Level Fees Where Bill Reduced Below £75,000

Read the full judgment of UK Sovereign Investments Ltd v Hussain

Court Approves ‘Clear and Compelling’ Test for Exceeding Guideline Rates

Read the full judgment of Lappet Manufacturing Company Ltd & Anor v Rassam & Ors

Defendant Not Party to Appeal Can Still be Ordered to Pay Costs of Appeal

Read the full judgment of Turner & Ors v Thomas & Anor (Costs)

SCCO Sets Aside Notice of Commencement Served Prematurely

In ABA v University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust[2022] EWHC B4 (Costs), it was ruled a Notice of Commencement was served prematurely.

Signature to Bill of Costs Must be Identifiable, rules High Court

Mrs Justice Steyn (sitting with Master Brown) on the appeal held that the signatory to a Bill of Costs must be clearly identifiable.

Master of the Rolls Approves CJC’s Revised Guideline Rates

The Master of the Rolls has approved the Civil Justice Council's working group's revised Guideline Hourly Rates proposed early this year.

Service of N252 by email was valid – High Court overturn SCCO decision to set aside DCC

In Serbian Orthodox Church – Serbian Patriarchy v Kesar & Co[2021] EWHC 1205 (QB), it was held a notice of commencement sent to the wrong email address that was automatically and instantly forwarded to the correct email address constituted valid service.

Solicitor’s £250,000 fixed fee agreement set aside as ‘unreasonable’

In Tripipatkul v WH Lawrence Ltd (t/a WH Lawrence Solicitors)[2021] EWHC B13 (Costs), Costs Judge Brown set aside a fixed fee agreement for £250,000 made between the Claimant and the Defendant solicitors on grounds of unreasonability.

High Court may be lenient where statement of costs is filed late

Where the Claimant failed file their statement of costs 24 hours before a hearing in Tribe v Elborne Mitchell LLP (Costs) [2021] EWHC 1252 (Ch), Master McCloud took the lenient view.