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Rise of the costs lawyers

01 September 2025
Issue: 8129 / Categories: Legal News , Costs , Profession
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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

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
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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
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
Lawyers can no longer afford to ignore the metaverse, says Jacqueline Watts of Allin1 Advisory in this week's NLJ. Far from being a passing tech fad, virtual platforms like Roblox host thriving economies and social interactions, raising real legal issues
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