Civil way: 12 December 2025

AND YOU SHALL BE CONTINUALLY GUIDED

Do not venture inside the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO) without mugging up on its latest guide. Nothing earth-moving, but recommended by Lord Justice Birss, which is good. During its former incarnation and as a novice articled clerk up from the sticks to the smoke, the only guide I had was the managing clerk who let me loose there on a substantial four-column bill listed for assessment. He told me not to worry about any party and party items going over to common fund (legal aid). The master told me that the receiving party client with a fat contribution would have boxed my ears if they could have witnessed my concurrence in massive transfers.

Now you might have thought that Birss LJ would have been working on a speech for his swearing-in as the new High Court Chancellor. But no. As well as devouring the SCCO guide, he has been going