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01 September 2025
Issue: 8129 / Categories: Legal News , Costs , Profession
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Rise of the costs lawyers

Costs lawyers could become judges and would be recognised as higher fee earners in the guideline hourly rates, under proposals set out by their professional body

The Association of Costs Lawyers (ACL) business plan, drafted by ACL chair David Bailey-Vella, reveals work is ongoing to push for eligibility for judicial roles, and not just for costs roles. The ACL also argues its members’ expertise deserves grade A rather than grade B status in the rates, which are used to assess court costs.

The business plan, launched last week, reports that more than 10% of members have signed up to use the ‘Fellow’ title, available since April. The ACL now intends to apply for a Royal Charter, giving members the right to call themselves Chartered Costs Lawyers.

Bailey-Vella says: ‘The Costs Lawyer profession is going from strength to strength and we have reached a place where there needs to be greater recognition of this.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Carter-Ruck—Tomas Vail

Carter-Ruck—Tomas Vail

Carter-Ruck strengthens International team with appointment of arbitration partner Tomas Vail

Slater Heelis—Nick Terry

Slater Heelis—Nick Terry

Slater Heelis strengthens crime and regulatory team with appointment of Nick Terry as partner

Payne Hicks Beach—Thomas Moran & Sarah Gogan

Payne Hicks Beach—Thomas Moran & Sarah Gogan

Payne Hicks Beach strengthens private wealth offering with appointment of two new partners

NEWS
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Victims of undue influence may have more options than simply unwinding a tainted transaction, with courts able to order profits accounts, compensation and, exceptionally, severance
Disabled people could lose vital safeguards following the Supreme Court’s reversal of the Cheshire West test for deprivation of liberty, two barristers warn
A formidable reputation cannot protect a law firm when partner departures, fragile finances and client uncertainty begin feeding each other
Businesses incorporating open-source software into commercial products could face obligations to disclose valuable source code, with AI-assisted development making licensing risks harder to track
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