Author name: Simon Gibbs

Andrew Dismore, co-ordinator of the Access to Justice Action Group, recently wrote a letter to the Guardian newspaper predicting that “there will be at least 25% fewer claimants” as a result of the proposed changes to the no win, no fee system. This is the same Andrew Dismore who recently predicted, in relation to clinical

I will be speaking at the CIPFA Insurance Network’s conference Effective Claims Handling and Implementing Successful Approaches to Reducing Insurance Claims and Costs covering the subject of Controlling Third Party Solicitors’ Costs. This will be held in London on 14 March 2012 and in Leeds on 21 March 2012. There are just a limited number

I mentioned the other day the fact that the court hearing fee is refundable in whole or in part where a matter settles a certain number of days before the hearing. I am grateful to Murray Heining for reminding me of the other schoolboy error to watch out for. This is the fact that the

The Costs Law Articles Archive section of Legal Costs Central has been updated with the latest Costs Update written by Nicholas Bacon QC, Roger Mallalieu and Daniel Saoul from 4 New Square chambers.  This includes coverage of legal aid reform, the Trafigura litigation and Part 36 offers.  Thanks to 4 New Square.

I stumbled across another law costs drafting firm’s blog the other day (they’re all at it now) which said: “VAT is an elective decision and thus again should you wish to charge VAT at 20% throughout on matters where a CFA has been used the decision is practice by practice and not determined by years

I don’t even begin to understand what message this advert is meant to convey. [youtube]YHbNunk0xVY[/youtube] (If you receive the Legal Costs Blog via email you made need to adjust your security settings or visit the Blog online to view the video.)

I’ve just came across the website of a legal recruitment firm that has a section on tips for CVs. This included: “CV should consider [sic] of the following: … Do check your CV for spelling and grammar errors. One error on your CV will often hinder your application”

The Costs Law Articles Archive section of Legal Costs Central has been updated with an interesting article on the law relating to wasted costs orders.  Thanks to Kerry Underwood.

Solicitors Journal reports, in relation to potential claims relating to the faulty breast implants scandal, that claimant solicitors Hugh James have said proceedings would be brought as consumer claims against the clinics which fitted the implants on the grounds that they “did not do what they promised”. Given Hugh James are apparently acting for 200