KNOWLEDGE HUB

NEWS AND INSIGHT FROM PARAMOUNT LEGAL

Explore Paramount Legal Costs' Knowledge Hub, your destination for insightful legal case law blogs. Authored by our team of experienced Legal Costs Draftpeople & Costs Lawyers, our blogs offer practical insights and expert commentary on recent court rulings and emerging legal trends.

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14th May 2025

Contentious Probate Costs – Getting Estimates Right

Providing Accurate Estimates in Contentious Probate Cases The importance of providing accurate estimates in respect of contentious probate costs cannot be overstated. The vast majority of challenges to solicitors bills will be a result of an unexpected shock suffered by the beneficiaries. There is nothing worse than being provided a quote or an estimate for… Continue reading

13th May 2025

Civil Procedure Rules Committee – Fixed Recoverable Costs Update (May 2025 )

Each May, the Civil Procedure Rules Committee (CPRC) holds an open meeting via Teams. Whilst it’s always good to keep an eye on the monthly minutes for any upcoming changes, the annual open meeting is a great opportunity to gain a real insight into how the committee works as well as providing a forum for… Continue reading

11th April 2025

Costs Budgeting – Clampdown on unrealistic costs, or realistic costs being clamped down?

Costs Management has (by way of Precedent H’s and Costs Management Hearings) been around for over a decade now, and it is something that most Litigation claims fee earners are now familiar with. It is a regular element of the multi track claim process, and is one that should, by now, be routine in its… Continue reading

28th March 2025

Costs Budgeting Light Pilot Scheme: Key Changes for Civil Cases from April 2025

By now, many of us will no doubt have touched upon recent articles or reports confirming that the Costs Budgeting Light Pilot Schemes are being partially rolled out in an effort to bring us a simplified approach to costs budgeting in certain types of civil case in England and Wales. These pilots are intended… Continue reading

27th March 2025

Court Approval for Success Fee Deductions: Lessons from Seth Law and the Court of Protection Ruling

Introduction to Court Approval for Success Fee Deductions A recent decision from Cost Judge Leonard has confirmed that it is important for any professional Deputy for property and finances to ensure that Court approval has been obtained before making a payment from a Protected Party’s damages in respect of a success fee or a shortfall.… Continue reading

11th March 2025

How “All” Cost £13,000: Deduction from Damages in CFA Agreements – St James v Wilkin Chapman LLP [2024]

Introduction to Deduction from Damages in CFA Agreements Since the introduction of LASPO there has been an increase in the number of Solicitor/Own Client disputes which have arisen as a result of Clients challenging the Bills raised by their Solicitors for the recovery of success fees, non-recoverable ATE premiums and for shortfalls in costs… Continue reading

10th February 2025

CPR Updates for April 2025 – Increases to the fixed costs of medical reports in soft tissue / whiplash claims

The statutory instrument for April 2025’s changes to the CPR was laid before parliament on 3 February. One costs change of note is the increase to the sums allowed for fixed cost medical reports in soft tissue and whiplash claims under CPR 45.62 (2). The new amounts are as follows : Previous amount New… Continue reading

4th February 2025

What are the Exemptions to Fixed Recoverable Costs?

Do you know what the exemptions to fixed recoverable costs are? The introduction of the expanded fixed recoverable costs (FRC) regime to civil litigation on 1 October 2023 marked a significant shift in the landscape of legal costs management. This article delves into the background of this reform and focuses on the exemptions within CPR… Continue reading

28th January 2025

Is your Retainer fit for purpose?

It is common knowledge that the retainer is fundamentally important in the recovery of costs and it is therefore essential to ensure that your funding documentation is correct at the outset of the claim. Conditional Fee Agreements (CFA) continue to be the main method of funding civil litigation, in particular for Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence cases. … Continue reading

27th January 2025

Understanding the Solicitor/ Client Assessment process in Contentious Probate

The Solicitors Act 1974 has enshrined the historic right of clients to have their solicitors’ bills assessed by the Court. In the past this was a right that was rarely used save for the unfortunate circumstances when the solicitor/client relationship broke down and resulted in a dispute. However, since the introduction of LASPO and the… Continue reading

21st January 2025

Further guidance on Medical Agency Breakdowns provided by the SCCO

The issue of medical agency fees has been rumbling on for some time now, with paying parties routinely requesting breakdowns to separate the agency element and the fees of the expert themselves. Any receiving party will know that agencies are not keen to provide those breakdowns and it can often become a sticking point… Continue reading

9th January 2025

Navigating the Indemnity Principle: Protecting Your Hourly Rates

When it comes to maximising costs recovery in litigation, navigating the indemnity principle is essential. Given the increase in Guideline Hourly Rates from 1 January 2025, now is a great time to refresh yourself with the indemnity principle to ensure you do not fall foul of it later down the line. In this article, we’ll… Continue reading

8th January 2025

Key Takeaways From Kenig: What do Practitioners need to know?

The landmark case of Kenig v Thomson Snell & Passmore LLP [2024] has redefined the rights of beneficiaries under S.71(3) of the Solicitors Act 1974, opening new avenues for challenging solicitors’ bills. Today, we will take a look at the key takeaways from Kenig. S.71(3) of the Solicitors Act 1974 had enshrined the right of… Continue reading

7th January 2025

2025 Guideline Hourly Rates

1 January 2025 has given solicitors and practitioners a late Christmas gift. From the beginning of January, Guideline Hourly rates have increased by 3.65% in line with inflation. It is important to note that these rates are not automatically recoverable – if you wish to seek the increased rates, you must notify your Clients. Failure… Continue reading

19th December 2024

A Costsmas Wishlist

It is that time of year to get the pen and paper out, browse through the Argos catalogue and begin to prepare your Christmas list for us, it's all about our Costsmas Wishlist. I have done just that with three things that I think will be very handy as we head into Christmas and 2025.… Continue reading