The Importance of complying with Precedent H
October 24, 2018
In a recent case before the High Court (Queen’s Bench Division), it was determined that a Claimant whose budget did not account for the trial phase was in breach of civil procedure rules. The requirements of precedent H are to set out the costs of the whole litigation and the Claimant’s interim budget did not meet this requirement. Costs for phases after December were therefore limited to any applicable court fees. To read more, please Click Here
Appeal denied for firm who “unjustifiably inflated” costs
September 30, 2018
In a recent case before the Supreme Court, a Leeds firm have been refused permission to appeal a ruling whereby a District Judge found that costs had been unjustifiably inflated. As a result, this could now cause defendants in personal injury cases to challenge costs claims if they suspect the figures to have been unfairly increased. To read more, please Click Here
Reforms to the costs regime for Leaseholders?
September 30, 2018
The Law Commission is currently mooting proposals for a fixed costs regime and single tribunal to deal with disputes with leaseholders. Currently Leaseholders are required to pay their Landlord’s “reasonable” non-litigation costs. The proposals also include disputes being determined by a tribunal to reduce complexity and costs. To read more, please Click Here
Sole Practitioner defends wasted Costs Order
September 30, 2018
A sole practitioner, who had represented a defendant, was ordered to explain to a Judge why she should not pay wasted costs as a result of two adjourned hearings which came about due to issues with legal aid. QC for the sole practitioner questioned whether it was reasonable to expect a firm to take the financial risk of instructing Counsel when they had no confidence that they would receive legal aid. His Honour Judge Murray Shanks concluded that he would not be making a wasted costs order. To read more, please Click Here
Small Claims limit to be Increased to £5,000 for RTA claims?
September 1, 2018
With the Government’s recent announcement that it intends to increase the small claims limit to £5,000 for RTA claims, justice ministers are being asked to evidence that the increase is a proportionate change. The reasoning behind this is that it would deter claimants from recovering costs for claims worth less than £5,000.To read more,please Click Here.
