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07 February 2025
Issue: 8103 / Categories: Legal News , Costs , Profession , Regulatory
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NLJ this week: Hazards of using an unregulated costs draftsman

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Horses for courses, a lid for every pot and costs lawyers for costs (regulated, of course). Otherwise, it could all turn into a shambles. In this week’s NLJ, Jack Ridgway, chair of the Association of Costs Lawyers and a senior associate costs lawyer at Bolt Burdon Kemp, highlights the perils of using an unregulated costs draftsman.

As Ridgway explains, unregulated costs draftsmen are not even cheaper. He sets out some of the risks involved, and takes a look at the illustrative case of Kapoor (deceased) v Johal [2024] EWHC 2853 (SCCO)—'a clear example of a case in which using an unqualified and unregulated costs draftsman has not assisted the solicitor acting for the receiving party’.

Ridgway states some of the benefits of using a regulated costs lawyers: ‘As a costs lawyer is a specialist, their advice can be relied upon in the same way as counsel’s advice. A cost lawyer has professional indemnity insurance.’ 
Issue: 8103 / Categories: Legal News , Costs , Profession , Regulatory
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

From mowing lawns to life at the Bar: Stephen Ward reflects on an unconventional career

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Commercial property partner joins Clarke Willmott in Southampton

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Robert Tiffen joins Ellisons as Partner in growing Norwich office

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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