header-logo header-logo

07 January 2026
Issue: 8144 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Fees
printer mail-detail

Guideline hourly rates on the rise

Solicitors received a new year’s boost this month with the announcement of an uplift to the guideline hourly rates

The rise, effective this month, gives a top rate of £579 (up from £566) to solicitors and legal executives with more than eight years’ experience in central London or £288 (up from £282) in national band 2 areas.

The rates—guideline figures used by judges to calculate court costs—have increased for the third year in a row.

Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, said: ‘The uplift from the 2025 rates to the new 2026 rates amounts to an increase of 2.28%.’ 

Issue: 8144 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Fees
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys further bolsters Private Equity expertise with the appointment of James Paterson

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons strengthens Rural Affairs team with senior appointment

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley adds insurance mergers and acquisitions partner to London office

NEWS
A deputy costs judge correctly exercised his discretion to allow late service rather than strike out the point of dispute, the Court of Appeal has held
Prince Harry, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and five others have lost their case against the publisher of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and MailOnline, in Various Claimants v Associated Newspapers [2026] EWHC 1637 (KB)
Public confidence in the justice system is being undermined by a lack of accessible, useable data, magistrates have warned
The Sentencing Council has launched draft guidelines for facilitation and endangering another person during a sea crossing to the UK
Government proposals to make independent written legal advice a prerequisite for workplace non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) may prove unworkable, according to a senior employment lawyer
back-to-top-scroll