Legal Cost Specialists
In legal costs it can often be the case that a judgment that is concerned with one particular issue may have unexpected relevance in another area. One example of this is the case of Roundstone Nurseries Ltd v Stephenson Holdings Ltd [2009] EWHC 1431 (TCC). The matter concerned a claim where proceedings had been issued. […]
Default costs certificates Read More »
You wait ages for an interesting legal costs decision from the Court of Appeal and then two come along together. Both cases concerned a similar issue as to the extent of a costs judge’s discretion to limit costs in a manner that appears to go beyond a strict reading of the final costs order.
Court of Appeal Legal Costs Judgments Read More »
I acted in a detailed assessment recently where the Claimant had failed to serve a statement of reasons in respect of the success fee in accordance with CPD 32.5(3) when serving the bill of costs and notice of commencement. The appropriate statement was subsequently served. It was argued for the Defendant that the failure to
Middleton v Vosper Thornecroft (UK) Ltd Read More »
Where a claimant has picked up one or more costs orders in its favour on the way to a trial, but fails very badly at the trial (for example due to exaggeration), can the costs judge assess those costs at nil on the footing that they were not, as it turned out, reasonably incurred because
Business Environment Bow Lane Ltd v Deanwater Estates Ltd Read More »
The 2010 edition of the Association of Law Costs Draftsmen’s diary contains advertisements from six barristers’ chambers holding themselves out as specialists in legal costs matters. Five of these give the names of the barristers in their costs teams. The number of named individuals totals 49. There are a number of other chambers who have
Specialist costs counsel Read More »
Arguably, Lord Justice Jackson’s most significant recommendation, in his Final Report, is an end to recovery between the parties of success fees. This proposal will lead to obvious and huge savings to defendants. Those who think that current political uncertainty will lead to much of the Report being shelved should think again. Whichever party is
Jackson Report – Success fees Read More »
I have recently been commenting on the forthcoming publication of Civil Costs – Law and Practice, a new book by Dr Mark Friston. To give you some idea as to the scope and ambition of this book have a look at this sample chapter (external link). This chapter deals with the important topic of contracts
Dr Friston's Civil Costs – A short teaser Read More »
The recent case of Ahmed v Aventis Pharma Ltd [2009] EWHC 9052 (Costs) dealt with two small issues but both ones of interest. Firstly, following the decision in Crane v Canons Leisure Ltd [2007 EWCA Civ 1352, where solicitors outsourced the job of sorting and summarising medical records they could treat this work as forming
Ahmed v Aventis Pharma Ltd Read More »
I recently came across a job advertisement for a trainee costs draftsman with the following wording: “Are you seeking a career option that is secure? Would you like to work in a niche market? Would you like to work in the field of Law Costs?”. Secure? Have I missed something?
Costs draftsman – A secure career Read More »
Before defendants get too excited about the positive recommendations that appear in Lord Justice Jackson’s final report on his Review of Civil Litigation Costs it is time for a reality check. The first point to note is that we do not know which, if any, of the proposals in the report will be implemented or
Have defendants been stitched up? Read More »