- Three three-year costs budgeting pilot schemes were introduced in April, aiming to provide a more tailored approach to costs management in litigation.
- The pilots distinguish claims by value.
It is not disputed that the profession accepts costs management has led to progress in discipline and understanding around costs. However, there is a general view that it is those running the litigation who are better placed to anticipate the likely costs (particularly in high value claims) as the party with in-depth knowledge of the claim and the potential litigation strategies likely to be deployed. The constraints of having to apply to increase a budget only where there is good reason is felt particularly by those running high value acrimonious disputes.
Practitioners are, therefore, very likely to welcome the new pilot schemes introduced on 1 April, which are intended to continue until 1 April 2028. The purpose of the pilot schemes (which
