Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Costs definition

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...

Pro bono costs in England and Wales: securing, assessing and enforcing costs orders under LSA 2007 and CPR 46.7, including budgeting, settlement wording and tribunal/Supreme Court appeals

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Practice notes

This Practice Note was produced with The Access to Justice Foundation. It explains what pro bono Costs are and the legislation and CPR provisions that apply. It then outlines key points for handling pro bono costs through proceedings and, in particular, when addressing costs assessment and costs orders. It also lists example contacts who can provide support with pro bono costs.

What are pro bono costs?

Pro bono costs arise when a party is represented without charge in proceedings. They are treated as ordinary legal costs. They reflect the monetary value of the free legal help, with the amount based on what a fee-paying client would recover. The costs cover any period of free representation and, even where only one lawyer acted pro bono, normal costs can still be sought for fee-paid work. Accordingly, the County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal (Civil Division) can, broadly, award pro bono costs in civil proceedings in England and Wales in cases in which they would award normal costs. Note that this includes, where a litigant is or was...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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