Costs lawyers and costs advocacy.
Recommended costs specialists on the Clerk&Counsel panel, for costs budgets, bills of costs, points of dispute and detailed assessment hearings.
Why legal costs need a specialist
When a case ends, the argument often moves on to costs: who pays, and how much. Costs have their own rules under the Civil Procedure Rules, their own case law and their own hearings. A bill of costs that is poorly drafted can lose a large part of what you are owed, and a bill that goes unchallenged can leave you paying far more than is reasonable.
Costs lawyers spend their whole working life on this. They prepare costs budgets before and during a case, draft bills of costs at the end, challenge or defend bills through points of dispute and replies, and represent clients at detailed assessment hearings in the Senior Courts Costs Office and county court hearing centres.
To make this easier, we have added recommended costs firms to our panel. Like our barristers, they are independent professionals responsible for their own work. We help you find the right firm for your matter, and you decide whether to instruct them.
What costs lawyers can help with
- Costs budgets (Precedent H): setting a realistic budget in multi-track cases, which caps what you can recover later.
- Bills of costs: preparing a clear, well evidenced bill so you recover as much as possible.
- Points of dispute: challenging items in a bill you have been asked to pay.
- Replies to points of dispute: answering challenges to your own bill.
- Detailed assessment: running the process and arguing the case at the hearing.
- Fixed costs and legal aid billing: CPR 45 fixed recoverable costs claims and Legal Aid Agency bills.
Costs firms on our panel
Costs Lawyer
CLSB-regulated Costs Lawyers for detailed assessment and costs advocacy
A director-led team of qualified Costs Lawyers, regulated by the Costs Lawyers Standards Board and supported by experienced costs draftsmen, providing careful drafting, clear advice and confident advocacy throughout the legal costs process.
- · CLSB-regulated Costs Lawyers
- · Director-led service
- · Detailed assessment advocacy
ARC Costs
Digital-first costs draftsmen and Costs Lawyers with over 30 years' experience
Independent costs experts led by qualified Costs Lawyers and a technology team, helping with costs budgets, bills of costs, legal aid billing, fixed costs and detailed assessment, for paying and receiving parties.
- · Over 30 years' combined experience
- · 72% average recovery on bills
- · 81% average on costs budgets
Greener Costs
Costs lawyer and costs draftsman services, delivered fast
A team of experienced costs lawyers and costs draftsmen with over 20 years in the field. Greener Costs offers a 5 working day turnaround on instructions, clear upfront quotes and support through budgeting, bills and detailed assessment.
- · 5 working day turnaround for urgent work
- · Clear quote before work starts, no hidden fees
- · Over 20 years of costs drafting experience
Costs lawyer or costs barrister?
Most costs work is best handled by a costs lawyer from start to finish. Where a dispute raises an important point of principle, such as whether a retainer is enforceable or how proportionality applies to a large claim, a specialist legal costs barrister can be instructed for advice or advocacy, often working alongside the costs lawyer. For hearings, see our costs advocacy page.
Time limits matter
Detailed assessment runs on strict deadlines. A paying party normally has 21 days from service of a notice of commencement to serve points of dispute, and missing that deadline can lead to a default costs certificate for the full amount claimed. If you have received a bill, get in touch as soon as you can.
How instructing a costs firm works
Send us a short summary of your costs matter using the enquiry form, with the bill of costs, points of dispute or court order if you have them. We will check which firm on our panel is best placed and available, and come back to you with a clear quote before any work starts. Most costs firms quote a fixed fee for drafting work and for attending a hearing, so you know the cost in advance.
You stay in control throughout. You choose whether to instruct the firm, and the firm deals with you directly once instructed. Enquiries are free, and any Clerk & Counsel service fee is shown separately from the firm's own fee before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a costs lawyer?
A costs lawyer is a qualified legal professional who specialises in legal costs. Costs lawyers are regulated by the Costs Lawyers Standards Board and are authorised to conduct costs litigation and appear as advocates at costs hearings, including detailed assessment.
When do I need a costs lawyer rather than a barrister?
For most costs work, such as preparing a bill, drafting points of dispute or running a detailed assessment, a costs lawyer is the efficient choice. A barrister is usually only needed where a costs dispute turns on a significant point of law or an appeal. We can tell you which is right for your case.
I have received a bill of costs. Can it be challenged?
Often, yes. Bills frequently include time that was not reasonable or proportionate. A costs lawyer can review the bill, prepare points of dispute and negotiate or argue for a reduction. Strict time limits apply, so it is important to act quickly once you receive a notice of commencement.
How much does a costs lawyer charge?
Fees depend on the size of the bill and the work needed. Many costs firms quote a fixed fee or a percentage for drafting work, and a fixed fee for attending a hearing. The firms on our panel give a clear quote before any work starts.
Do the firms work for individuals as well as solicitors?
Yes. The firms on our panel work mainly with solicitors and law firms, but they also help individuals and businesses who have been asked to pay costs or who want to recover costs they are owed.
Firm websites
- Costs Lawyer: costs-lawyer.co.uk
- ARC Costs: arccosts.co.uk
- Greener Costs: greenercosts.co.uk