All change on costs?

Having just marked the tenth anniversary of the Jackson reforms, another set of proposals is emerging over the horizon. While tightly focused, their implementation would make a significant difference to practitioners. They would also, unusually, be warmly welcomed.

The just-published Civil Justice Council Costs Review considered a handful of issues. This article addresses what it had to say on two important matters: costs management and guideline hourly rates.

Three cheers for costs budgeting

The report opens with the heading ‘Is costs budgeting useful?’, before stating: ‘Overwhelmingly, and somewhat surprisingly, responses were favourable, but with some significant tweaks recommended,’ Indeed, the consultation paper of 2022 audaciously suggested outright abolition as a possibility.

While the council was surprised by expressions of ardour for costs management, I was not and this is why. There was a big tent meeting last July attended by perhaps 150, including me.