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A solicitor for a client

08 October 2010
Categories: Case law , Judicial line , In Court
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If a solicitor acts for himself on a claim, my understanding is that he is generally only entitled to litigant in person costs.

If a solicitor acts for himself on a claim, my understanding is that he is generally only entitled to litigant in person costs. Does that mean he cannot claim fixed solicitor’s costs on the claim form where, for example, he is suing for his professional fees?

CPR 48.6 makes it clear that a litigant in person for costs purposes includes a solicitor (and other legal representatives) who is acting for himself. But you have overlooked PD Costs para 52.5 which states that a solicitor who, instead of acting for himself is represented in proceedings by his firm or by himself in his firm name, is not, for the purpose of the CPR, a litigant in person. It follows, therefore, that a firm of solicitors claiming for their professional fees are not litigants in person and can claim costs in the same way as if they were acting for a client. 

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