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Costs meaning

What does Costs mean?
In litigation, costs are the legal fees, disbursements, court fees and VAT incurred in bringing, defending or appealing a claim, and the sums a court or tribunal may order one party to pay another for those liabilities. The concept is governed by procedural rules and case law rather than a single statutory definition: England and Wales (CPR 44–47), Northern Ireland (RCJ Ord 62), Scotland (where the equivalent term is expenses), and Ireland (Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 and the Legal Costs Adjudicators). The general approach is broadly consistent, subject to local terminology and procedure. Typical features include the discretionary rule that costs follow the event, bases of assessment (standard or indemnity, and party‑and‑party/solicitor‑and‑client equivalents), and formal assessment/taxation: summary or detailed assessment in England and Wales; taxation by the Taxing Master in Northern Ireland; taxation by the Auditor of Court in Scotland; and adjudication in Ireland. Offers to settle (Part 36, Calderbank or lodgment), costs budgeting and proportionality materially affect recovery; personal injury claims in England and Wales are subject to QOCS. An adverse costs order is a key litigation risk and drives strategy, funding, ATE insurance and applications for security for costs.
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View the related Checklists about Costs

CHECKLISTS
Conditional fee agreements outside personal injury/clinical negligence: SRA compliance and success fee checklist (England and Wales)

A: General requirements Fill in section A for every conditional fee agreement (CFA), other than those for personal injury or clinical negligence, as these fall under a different checklist. If any question is answered ‘no’, the proposed CFA might not be enforceable and/or you could contravene the SRA’s regulatory framework...

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CHECKLISTS
Arbitration funding and third-party finance: practitioner checklist on options, funder engagement, confidentiality, champerty, disclosure and security for costs

When considering an arbitration, you should consider: how the dispute will be financed and managed overall can the client realistically cover your professional fees together with the arbitration expenses? could another party or source be prepared to pick up the entire bill? is any relevant insurance already in place and available? would after-the-event insurance cover be an appropriate option? might your firm accept a conditional fee arrangement, a damages-based agreement, or some other funding structure? See Funding Arrangements—Overview (note: this link is not arbitration-specific) is the client open to exploring third-party funding? ...

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CHECKLISTS
Suspending performance for non‑payment under the HGCRA 1996: section 112 rights, notice requirements, scope, costs, completion impact and pre‑2011 differences

This Checklist reviews the entitlement to suspend under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (HGCRA 1996), and the matters that ought to be carefully considered before any party opts to suspend carrying out its obligations and duties under a construction contract. Is there a general common law right to suspend a contract? No. At common law, a party to a contract has no general right to pause or withhold ongoing performance of contractual duties when the other party is in breach, unless the breach is sufficiently serious to constitute a ‘repudiatory breach’, thereby permitting the innocent party to rescind or bring the contract to an end (see Practice Notes: Termination of a construction contract—Common law termination and Repudiation of contract). How does the right to suspend arise in a construction contract?...

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FLOWCHARTS
Building and operating websites: IP and brand, regulatory, contractual and dispute issues—lawyers’ flowchart

Stage 1—preparing to bring a claim and pre-action matters Guidance on infringement, defences, ownership, injunctions, running disputes, and the Business and Property Courts Disclosure Scheme; cease and desist precedent; timetable checklist; key forms; IP insurance. Stage 2—letter of claim alleging copyright infringement Guidance on infringement, drafting letters of claim, unjustified threats and remedies, with precedents for standard and peer‑to‑peer infringement letters. Stage 3—commencing proceedings Notes on infringement, secondary infringement, permitted acts, remedies, criminal offences, the Business and Property Courts and the Disclosure Scheme; pleadings/initial disclosure precedents; Disclosure/IPEC flow tools; CPR claim/defence/settlement/default forms. Stage 4—case management Guidance on running disputes, costs management and the Disclosure Scheme; checklist; Chancery, Patents Court and IPEC Guides; Mitchell v NGN; core case‑management and disclosure forms. Stage 5—disclosure and evidence Notes on e‑disclosure, witness statements and the Disclosure Scheme; PD 57AC for Business and Property Courts trial statements (not...

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FLOWCHARTS
Protective costs orders (PCOs) in environmental litigation: flowchart of scenarios and application routes

This Checklist supports the preparation of terms and conditions for the sale of goods. It highlights key points when producing standard B2B terms or a goods sale agreement. It covers legal, regulatory and practical aspects of selling and supplying goods and is written from a seller/supplier perspective. For general guidance on contracts for the sale of goods, see Practice Notes: Contracts for the sale and supply of goods—business to business and Implied terms in contracts for goods and services. For broader guidance on key provisions in commercial contracts, see Practice Note: Key terms and conditions in commercial contracts. General considerations Engage with departmental stakeholders to identify concerns and gather customer feedback that should be addressed in the terms. Map how goods will be provided and any back-end processes, eg delivery or returns, that need to be reflected in the terms. Check for pre-existing commitments, such as restrictive covenants or exclusive sale or purchasing arrangements, that could prevent a bespoke supply contract...

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FLOWCHARTS
External SARs to the NCA: Decision Flowchart for Lawyers on Internal Referrals, Nominated Officer, LPP and Defence/Consent (POCA, TA 2000, MLR 2017)

Stage 1—preparing to bring a claim and pre-action matters Guidance on UK trade mark infringement, offences, passing off, interim injunctions, running IP disputes, privilege, dispute resolution (mediation and arbitration), and the Disclosure Scheme; plus checklists and forms (injunction, application, hearing) Stage 2—Letter before action alleging infringement Notes on infringement, passing off, unjustified threats and drafting; includes a trade mark letter of claim precedent Stage 3—commencing proceedings Procedure, defences and exceptions, IPEC flowchart, pleadings and initial disclosure precedents, and CPR/Part 36 forms Stage 4—case management Procedure and Disclosure Scheme notes, court guides (Chancery, Patents Court, IPEC and Small Claims), and case management questionnaires, Disclosure Review Document, Certificate of Compliance, budgets and directions Stage 5—disclosure and evidence Surveys and witness evidence (PD 57AC), privilege, disclosure (including electronic) and flexible trials; witness statement and Extended Disclosure precedents; affidavits, applications and certificates Stage 6—trial...

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NEWS
Daily EU competition law round-up: General Court appeals (Teva, Red Bull, Nvidia), mergers (Liberty/Dorna, Infravia/Iliad), State aid (Croatia, Austria), Foreign Subsidies Regulation (Amcor/Berry) — 24 February 2025

Antitrust A fresh appeal has been filed before the General Court in Case T- 19/25, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe v Commission, challenging the Commission’s decision in Teva (Copaxone) (AT.40588) and requesting that the fine-imposing infringement ruling be annulled—see further, application A fresh appeal has been submitted before the General Court in Case T- 682/24, Red Bull and Others v Commission, brought against the Commission for failing to reimburse additional costs incurred due to the disproportionate prolongation of an inspection—see further, application NOTE—For all...

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NEWS
Environmental law weekly: permitting reforms, GGR contracts, CfD CIB consultation, PFAS timeline, ecodesign review, marine strategy critique, 25 Year Environment Plan indicators, landfill tax appeal, waste carrier permitting overhaul

In this issue: Air emissions and climate change Energy efficiency of products Energy for environmental lawyers ESG and sustainability Hazardous substances and chemicals Marine Nature, biodiversity and habitat conservation Waste Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Air emissions and climate change Defra opens consultation on industrial emissions permitting reforms The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has begun consulting on plans to modernise England’s environmental permitting regime for industrial emissions. The package aims to foster innovation, adopt agile standards, secure proportionate and coherent regulation, boost regulator effectiveness and efficiency, and deliver a transparent system. Suggested measures include a new registration route for low-risk installations, flexible site permits setting overall emissions caps, and faster approvals for time‑limited technology trials. The proposals reflect the Corry Review’s critique of regulatory inefficiency. The Environment Agency intends to roll out changes that could cut permit queues from months to days and lower...

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NEWS
Great Britain energy regulation weekly update: Ofgem gas metering licence and CSNP2 consultations, ESO RIGs/RRPs decision, grid connections reforms, SAU report on DESNZ CCUS—8 August 2024

In this issue: Electricity and gas market regulation and licensing Networks and network connections Air emissions, efficiency and climate change Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Electricity and gas market regulation and licensing Ofgem consults on gas transporter licence metering duties Ofgem has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to the Gas Transporter Licence held by National Grid Gas Plc, addressing metering obligations within the Standard Special and Special Conditions, several of which are scheduled to sunset on 31 December 2024. The consultation closes on 2 September 2024. See: LNB News 06/08/2024 4. Ofgem decision on ESO RIGs and RRPs for RIIO-2 Ofgem has confirmed its decision on updated versions of National Grid Electricity System Operator Limited’s Regulatory Instructions and Guidance and Regulatory Reporting Pack for RIIO-2. The updates account for costs linked to New Roles, the Future System Operation transition, National Grid payments, and the...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Handling complex client complaints in law firms: bills, third‑party delays, vulnerable complainants, vexatious conduct and record‑keeping—Legal Ombudsman expectations and best practice (England and Wales)

Your complaints handling framework (see Practice Note: How to implement and maintain effective complaints handling procedures—law firms) should reflect the scale and character of your firm. Recognise that some circumstances will call for a more bespoke response, while still being managed within your overall complaints processes. This How-to-guide highlights examples where additional factors may need attention beyond those covered by your standard complaints handling framework... Complaints about the bill Concerns about bills arise fairly often. You must handle a billing complaint in exactly the same manner as any other complaint. The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has issued guidance on Complaints about legal costs, having identified recurring themes. Although aimed particularly at matters funded by conditional fee agreements, it offers a broader view of LeO’s general approach. When assessing cost-related complaints, LeO will consider whether, from the outset, you ensured the client fully grasped what they would, or might, be required to pay. The guidance also sets out LeO’s expectations across a range of scenarios and questions where clarity on...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging: local authority compliance, payments and data duties in England and Wales, and links to Simpler Recycling and the Deposit Return Scheme

The extended producer responsibility (EPR) regime for packaging and packaging waste The extended producer responsibility (EPR) regime for packaging and packaging waste shifts the entire cost of managing household packaging waste from households to packaging producers, placing on them accountability for their packaging costs throughout its lifecycle. Lower charges apply to sustainable packaging, incentivising designs that use fewer materials and are easier to recycle. Under EPR, Local Authorities (LAs) receive producer-funded payments covering the net costs of collecting, managing, recycling and disposing of this household packaging waste. EPR is governed by the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, SI 2024/1332 (as amended). These regulations define a range of persons and bodies with specific functions within the regime. These are: producers—these are the principal duty holders compliance schemes the Scheme Administrator (SA) (PackUK) ‘relevant authorities’ which are LAs as household waste collection and disposal authorities responsible for household waste services reprocessors and exporters the ‘appropriate agency’—in England, the Environment...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Family Offices in the UK: Types, Services, Establishment, Costs, Governance, Regulation, Challenges and Trends—A Lawyers’ Guide

Family office The phrase ‘family office’ spans a wide array of circumstances, so there is no universally agreed definition. The Family Firm Institute, however, characterises a family office as: ‘A separate entity apart from the operating business (and sometimes created with the assets realised after the sale of a family enterprise) consisting of a diversified wealth portfolio held for the benefit of the family’ (Family Enterprise; understanding Families in Business and Families of Wealth Wiley 2014 (not reported by LexisNexis®)). Such offices are largely, and more commonly, the preserve of high net worth—indeed ultra high net worth—families (ie those with investable assets above $30m), with varied holdings and complex affairs. That complexity can create scope for disputes. Nonetheless, with a well-designed structure supported by a clear strategy and effective family governance, a family office can yield substantial advantages. These benefits accrue not only to the family members themselves but also, through coordinated philanthropic efforts, to the broader community. Likely features of a family office include: a...

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View the related Precedents about Costs

PRECEDENTS
SRA-compliant Fixed-Fee Price and Service Information Notice Template for Law Firms (England and Wales)

1 Legal costs 1.1 The legal costs of [ insert brief description of services, eg obtaining a grant of probate and distributing an estate ] consist of [ two OR three ] principal elements: our fees; outlays we pay on your behalf (often referred to as disbursements) [ ; OR . ] [ costs you may need to pay to another party. ] 1.2 Our charges We apply a fixed-fee structure [ of £[ insert price excluding VAT ] OR ranging between £[ insert price excluding VAT ] and £[ insert price excluding VAT ] depending on [ insert description of the factors that will dictate where in the fixed price range your fees will fall, eg the value and complexity of your matter ] ] . [ If a matter or transaction does not reach completion, we reserve the right to charge for the work undertaken, using our standard charging rate of £[ insert rate...

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PRECEDENTS
Insolvency Act application notice precedent to fix an office-holder’s remuneration under IR 2016 r 18.23 in liquidation or administration (England and Wales)

INSOLVENCY ACT APPLICATION NOTICE Case No: [ insert case number ]. Court: High Court (Business and Property Courts, Insolvency and Companies List (ChD)) OR Business and Property Courts in [ insert location ] OR County Court at [ insert location ] (Business and Property Work). In the matter of [ insert company’s name ] and the Insolvency Act 1986. Parties: [ Insert Applicant(s) ] v [ Insert Respondent(s) ]. Under IR 2016 r 18.23. Parties and addresses: Applicants [ names/addresses ]; Respondents [ names/addresses ]. Application relates to [ details ]. Judge: [ level ]. Venue: [ court/hearing centre ]. Ref: [ number ]. Orders sought: Fix remuneration at £[ insert sum ] plus VAT; disbursements £[ insert sum ]. Costs to be an expense of the [ liquidation/administration ]. Any further order or relief the court considers appropriate. Grounds: witness statement of [ name ], dated [ date ]. Service/notice: [ names/addresses, if any, or none ]. Address for...

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PRECEDENTS
Brief details of claim template—section 423 Insolvency Act 1986 transactions defrauding creditors: declarations, restoration directions and costs (England and Wales and Scotland)

Brief details of claim This action is brought under section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986. The Claimant is the [ insert office held ] at [ insert name of the company ] (the Company). ...

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Q&As
EAT appeal: Can respondent withdraw 2 weeks pre‑hearing after filing Answer, without sanction?

Response to appeal Under the Employment Appeal Rules 1993 (EAT Rules), SI 1993/2854, rule 6(2) provides that a respondent who intends to oppose an appeal must lodge with the Appeal Tribunal a written answer in accordance with, or broadly following, Form 3 contained in the Schedule to these Rules, setting out the grounds on which they rely. Nevertheless, where the respondent seeks to rely on any ground that mirrors a ground adopted by the employment tribunal when making the judgment, decision, declaration or order under appeal, it is sufficient simply to say so in the answer, and it shall be sufficient to state that fact in response. For further details, see Practice Note: Responding to an appeal...

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Q&As
Professional deputy costs: from deputy or special damages?

If the claimant qualifies as a protected party within the Court of Protection’s remit, fees imposed by that Court, both historic and prospective, may properly form part of the claim made. Further charges will also be incurred where a deputy is appointed to manage the claimant’s property and financial affairs. These charges and expenses can be set out within the schedule of past and future loss and damage as distinct heads of damage...

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Q&As
Defendant liability: overseas visitor NHS bill and CRU charges

HSC(CHS)A 2003, Part 3 For personal injury compensation claims where the incident occurred on or after 29 January 2007, Part 3 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (HSC(CHS)A 2003) applies. The HSC(CHS)A 2003 extends to any matter involving foreign nationals and foreign compensators, in circumstances where NHS treatment and/or ambulance services were delivered to the injured person following their return to England, Scotland or Wales. Part 3 of the HSC(CHS)A 2003 permits recovery of the costs of treating an injured person in all situations where that individual has successfully pursued a personal injury claim against a third party. Under HSC(CHS)A 2003, s 150(3), a ‘compensation payment’ is a payment, including one in money’s worth, made on behalf of a person who is, or is alleged to be, liable in respect of the injury. HSC(CHS)A 2003, s 150(3) further provides that relevant NHS charges are not included...

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