Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Fixed costs definition

What does Fixed costs mean? In litigation, fixed costs are pre‑set, rule‑based sums that a successful party can recover from the losing party, regardless of the actual legal spend. When such rules apply, the court orders payment of the specified amounts (usually with only limited disbursements), instead of undertaking detailed assessment. England and Wales: Fixed recoverable costs are defined by the Civil Procedure Rules, principally CPR Part 45. Following the October 2023 expansion, they apply to most fast and intermediate track claims (generally up to £100,000), with tables setting amounts by stage, value and complexity band. Adjustments may arise for Part 36 consequences, unreasonable...

MCOL specified claim over £55,000: fixed costs or standard basis?

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Q&As

Money Claim Online is available for issuing claims for a defined monetary amount below £100,000, excluding interest and Costs. The approach to costs mirrors that applied to any other claim brought under CPR Part 7.

The Fixed costs regime

A claim falls within the fixed costs regime where no Acknowledgement of service or defence is lodged, or where the defendant admits the claim. In that situation, the claimant may seek judgment through Money Claim Online by submitting the online request form. Once judgment is entered, the claimant’s legal representative is entitled to the fixed costs under CPR 45.4, as listed in Table 2 of CPR 45, which, for a claim over £5,000, range from £30 to £70 depending on the circumstances in which judgment is obtained...

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James Tunley

Lamb Chambers

James is a barrister (called to the Bar in 2005) specialising in employment, commercial and contractual disputes, professional negligence, personal injury and professional regulatory and disciplinary work. He has particular expertise and a wealth of experience in employment law, appearing for both claimants and respondents in the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal at all stages of proceedings and in all areas of employment law including unfair dismissal, discrimination, victimisation, trade unions, TUPE, breach of contract, and wages claims including the operation and enforcement of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. He also has experience in contractual disputes, mostly in the employment context, and professional negligence in the context of the provision of legal advice and services. James has delivered seminars and training on a range of topics including enforcement of judgments, negligent misstatement and the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. He is a...

Web page updated on 27/05/2026

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