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08 April 2022 / Laura Rees
Issue: 7974 / Categories: Features , Profession , Costs
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Costs: Could being frugal end up costly?

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Laura Rees discusses the perils of being economical with budget information
  • A look at the recent case of ST v ZY whereby the claimant’s solicitors came under fire for seeking recovery of costs.
  • The importance of discussing budgets with clients.

The recent decision in ST v ZY [2022] EWHC B5 (Costs), All ER (D) 95 (Feb) by Senior Costs Judge Gordon-Saker is another decision where claimant solicitors faced criticism for seeking to recover a shortfall in the costs from their client when they had not supplied sufficient information.

The case proceeded on behalf of the claimant (a minor), the claimant’s mother and the claimant’s three siblings. The case brought by the mother and her three other children was discontinued but continued for the claimant. The claimant’s solicitor, Irwin Mitchell, wrote to their client at the conclusion of the claim seeking to recover a shortfall of the costs totalling £53,719. The costs budget had been exceeded by over £31,000 and the 1% and 2% costs recoverable in respect

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Flint Bishop—Charlotte Harris

Flint Bishop—Charlotte Harris

Sheffield expansion continues with appointment of commercial property partner

Browne Jacobson—Paul Duggan

Browne Jacobson—Paul Duggan

Browne Jacobson strengthens banking and finance practice with latest partner appointment Paul Duggan

Ward Hadaway—Chris Piggott

Ward Hadaway—Chris Piggott

Employment partner joins Ward Hadaway

NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

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