header-logo header-logo

NLJ costs revision course (Pt 2)

28 September 2017 / Dominic Regan
Issue: 7763 / Categories: Features , Costs , Budgeting
printer mail-detail
nlj_7763_regan

This week, Dominic Regan addresses estimates & revisits the problem of incurred costs

  • A costs management order is always predicated upon the standard basis.
  • Merrix and Harrison show courts cannot depart from the agreed figure for estimated costs without good reason.
  • What to do about incurred costs is a lingering issue in costs management.

Budgeting is brilliant except when it isn’t. The concept whereby the proposed spend of each party is scrutinised at the outset is sound. Grandiose spending plans can be slapped down before the money is spent, before the damage is done.

In Merrix v Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust [2017] 1 Costs LR 91 the crucial issue was the relationship between an approved budget at the outset and a detailed assessment at the conclusion of the same action. The defendant asserted that, while relevant, a budget was not conclusive and so a full blown detailed assessment remained essential. The receiving party understandably argued

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll