Costing Tip of the Month
October 5, 2023
Disbursements: is prior authority required to incur expenditure? Beware instructing Interpreters and translators, it is the Courts’ responsibility to arrange translation at Court, not all documents need to be translated. Ensure that letters of instruction to experts make clear the LAA codified rates for experts and that the invoice includes a breakdown of work undertaken and is, when necessary, apportioned in accordance with the order instructing the expert.
Costs judge rules that monthly invoices were not “statutory bills”
October 5, 2023
The right to have legal bills worth £12.8m assessed by a former client has been granted by Costs Judge Leonard. It was found that the invoices issued over a six-year period were not statutory bills “because any such agreement would have been inconsistent with the terms of the retainer under which they were rendered and paid”. To read the full article click here https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/monthly-invoices-were-not-statutory-bills-costs-judge-rules/5117256.article?
Tip of the month
August 21, 2023
Listing time for FAS purposes: only claim time from when the matter is listed, FAS start times must agree with the listed start time. The Advocate’s attendance note should support the FAS claim.
Appeal Judges block Supreme Court costs challenge
August 21, 2023
Appeal Judges have ruled that a landmark Court of Appeal costs ruling cannot be challenged in the Supreme Court. The ruling, refusing permission to appeal the costs ruling in favour of claimant solicitors, was widely welcomed by the claimant sector. To read the full article click here https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/relief-for-claimant-firms-as-appeal-judges-block-costs-challenge/5116935.article?
Tip of the month
July 24, 2023
Advocacy: try to keep advocacy in-house. It is the most cost effective area of LA family work and should be exercised as much as possible to create added value within the cost limitation of the certificate. Get bolt-ons authorised, does the final hearing qualify as a final hearing? If Counsel are instructed part way through inform them of the bundle payments already claimed.
