A poll of costs lawyers has revealed increasingly negative predictions for the post-Jackson era.
More costs lawyers than ever before (80%) predict a rise in disputes between solicitors and their clients as a result of the changes to conditional fee agreements, up from 69% last year, the second annual survey of the Association of Costs Lawyers (ACL) has revealed. More than 70% thought the reforms will discourage solicitors from taking on less straightforward cases (54% last year).
However, the majority of costs lawyers were optimistic about their own future and a quarter said they expect to hire more staff.
Common mistakes made by solicitors when dealing with costs were failing to keep thorough records, thinking they could do it themselves, turning to costs lawyers only when things go wrong, and using unqualified costs draftsmen.
