What is a costs lawyer?

A costs lawyer is a regulated legal professional who specialises in the assessment, calculation, and negotiation of legal costs. They play an important role in various legal proceedings, including civil litigation, family law cases, and commercial disputes.

Costs lawyers can also assist in managing and preparing claims for costs from public funds, such as cases involving the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).

Costs lawyers are authorised to undertake reserved legal activities as outlined in the Legal Services Act 2007. They may represent clients in court during costs-related hearings, assist with the conduct of litigation, and even the administration of oaths.

As part of regulatory requirements, our costs lawyers undertake continuing professional development and carry professional indemnity insurance. They are also bound by a code of conduct and are regulated by the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB).

At Greener Costs, our team of cost lawyers and cost draftsmen are highly experienced in all areas of legal costs. We assist on a wide range of costs disputes covering many areas of law, from large commercial disputes to clinical negligence, personal injury and other inter partes cases where the losing party pays the successful party’s legal fees.

If you are in need of a skilled costs law firm that prioritises excellent service and client satisfaction, please get in touch with Greener Costs today to find out how we can assist you.

What do costs lawyers do?

A costs lawyer is a regulated legal professional. They specialise in the assessment, management, and recovery of legal costs incurred during litigation. Costs lawyers handle key responsibilities such as preparing detailed bills of costs, drafting points of dispute and replies to claims for costs.

They also negotiate costs with opposing parties to reach fair settlements and represent clients at hearings related to costs disputes, advocating for appropriate cost recovery.

Additionally, costs lawyers deal with retainers and fee arrangements between clients and lawyers, ensuring that all parties are fully aware of the financial implications.

Moreover, they can represent clients at court hearings, such as Detailed Assessment Hearings. 

Key responsibilities of a costs lawyer

The key responsibilities of a costs lawyer include:

Cost Assessment: Evaluating and calculating the costs associated with legal services, including reviewing time records and expenses to determine the amount that can be claimed.

Preparation of Legal Costs Documents: Drafting essential documents such as bills of costs, cost budgets, and points of dispute, which outline the costs incurred and the rationale behind them.

Negotiation of Costs: Engaging in negotiations with opposing parties to reach agreements on legal costs, aiming for settlements that are acceptable to both sides.

Representation in Costs Hearings: Advocating for clients in court during detailed assessment hearings or other disputes related to legal costs, presenting arguments and evidence to support their claims.

Advisory Role: Providing guidance to solicitors and clients on cost-related issues, including potential costs implications of litigation and strategies for cost management.

Compliance with Legal Standards: Ensuring all cost-related practices comply with relevant regulations and guidelines.

Analysis of Legal Costs Trends: Staying informed about trends and changes in legal costs, including case law, to provide accurate and up-to-date advice.

Client Communication: Maintaining clear communication with clients regarding their costs, keeping them informed about the progress of their case and any changes in expected costs.

What are the benefits of using a costs lawyer?

Costs lawyers offer a range of benefits to clients involved in legal proceedings.

Their expertise in cost assessment, negotiation, and dispute resolution can significantly enhance the financial outcome of a case. By accurately assessing costs, identifying potential errors or overcharges, and effectively representing clients in negotiations or court proceedings, costs lawyers can help to maximise recovery and minimise unnecessary expenses.

Additionally, costs lawyers can provide valuable strategic advice and ensure compliance with legal regulations. Their involvement can offer clients peace of mind, knowing that the complexities of cost management are being handled by a skilled professional.

If you are in search of an experienced costs lawyer to assist with the financial recovery on your case, please get in touch with a member of our team at Greener Costs.

Why choose Greener Costs?

Our team of Costs Lawyers and Law Costs Draftsmen possess over 20 years experience specialising in the laws surrounding legal costing and negotiations and are able to assist clients from a range of backgrounds on a variety of legal matters, whether you are the paying party or receiving party.

If your case has been publicly funded by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA), our costs professionals can also assist you with Legal Aid costs.

We assist law firms throughout England and Wales through the use of our remote law costing services. Our clients find increased efficiency through the use of our remote service as it provides a pragmatic approach to costing, reducing the time it would take to scan and send an abundance of files. Due to this, we can ensure quick turnaround agreements, which under most circumstances can be much more efficient than clients completing the work themselves in-house.

If you wish to speak to a member of the team at Greener Costs then please contact us on 01204 263047, info@greenercosts.co.uk or use the online form on our website below.