Holly Archbold In Barry & Anor v Barry [2025] EWHC 819 (KB), the High Court delivered the first judicial commentary on what constitutes “oppressive behaviour” in the misuse of cost management in litigation and crucially, how such conduct can affect cost management and cost recovery. This is the first time we’ve seen the courts lay…
Avi Dolties Today the 183rd Practice Direction Update was announced which introduces PD 51ZG3 (Pilot Scheme for Certain High Court QCOCS Cases). This is the final of a suite of three pilot Practice Directions to trial simplified cost budgeting in certain claims. This third pilot is pilot scheme which applies to claims issued on or…
Bridie Sanderson Following the continued updates from the SCCO, they have most recently advised as of 10 March 2025 the following turnaround on matters. The Cost Officers are currently working on bills of costs for which supporting papers were received by them around the middle of April 2024. There is still a delay between the…
Avi Dolties Agrofirma Oniks LLC & Anor v ABH Ukraine Ltd & Ors [2025] EWHC 300 (Comm) This case concerns a dispute arising from Loan Participation Notes, in which the Claimants, Agrofirma Oniks LLC and Agro UG V LLC—both agribusinesses—are clients of the fourth defendant, PJSC Sense Bank (formerly PJSC Alfa Bank Ukraine). A pivotal…
Bridie Sanderson In April 2025, the MOJ will increase the Court and Tribunal fees (subject to Parliamentary approval) to account for changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The income generated from these uplifts will help support the efficient and effective running of the HMCTS. There is a total of 171 fees to be increased…
Louise Satterthwaite & Sarah Picken There have been a number of interesting cases handed down this year affecting all areas of litigation. Here are some of the key cases that have been handed down affecting costs orders and assessment. As many personal injury litigators will be aware, Qualified one way costs shifting, also known as…
Avi Dolties In recent years, UK courts have increasingly encouraged the use of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method, moving away from traditional litigation in an effort to lessen the burden on the courts and ensure more efficient and amicable resolutions. Mediation offers parties the opportunity to resolve disputes outside of the courtroom,…
Kathryn Regan It’s been another busy year in the world of Solicitor/Own client costs, with no shortage of decisions on the usual issues which crop up when former clients challenge their solicitor’s costs. The hot topic this year was whether a Solicitor’s invoice was or was not a statute bill, with numerous High Court cases…
Lindsay Woolford In 2024 there were a number of notable Cases on the issue of Cost Budgeting which is also on the Agenda for the CJC in 2025, and a ‘hot topic’ for potential reform with discussions relating to a new Precedent H and a Cost Budget light, as well as expanding the application of…
Avi Dolties Costs Budgeting Light Pilot Schemes: The 179th Practice Direction Update Cost management is evolving with the introduction of a simplified approach to cost budgeting, aimed at making the costs management process more efficient and accessible. With the latest Practice Direction updates, solicitors are required to familiarise themselves with the newly implemented procedures and…