Costs insights.
Costs case law and recovery tactics for claimant solicitor firms — housing disrepair, MoD NIHL, standard-basis costs, Points of Dispute, Precedent S and costs-only proceedings.
Court Fee Increases From 13 July 2026: What Claimant Solicitors Need to Know
The Ministry of Justice plans to increase a range of court and tribunal fees from 13 July 2026. We examine the changes most relevant to Part 8 costs-only proceedings, applications, Default Costs Certificates and detailed assessment.
22 June 2026 · 8 min readRead →Housing Disrepair CostsDuffy v Birmingham City Council: Can a Defective Housing Disrepair Bill Still Commence Detailed Assessment?
The Court of Appeal has confirmed that an omitted certification box does not automatically invalidate a signed bill of costs. We examine what Duffy v Birmingham City Council means for Housing Disrepair costs, Points of Dispute and Default Costs Certificates.
19 June 2026 · 8 min readRead →MoD NIHL CostsAbbott v Ministry of Defence: The Costs Consequences for Military NIHL Claims
Abbott v Ministry of Defence provides major new guidance on the diagnosis and valuation of military hearing loss claims. We examine what the judgment means for expert evidence, audiology work, hearing aids and the preparation of MoD NIHL bills.
19 June 2026 · 10 min readRead →Clinical Negligence CostsJXX v Archibald: Is the Recoverable MRO Mark-Up Now Capped at 25%?
JXX v Archibald has changed the approach to Medical Reporting Organisation fees. The Senior Costs Judge treated MRO charges as disbursements and adopted a maximum recoverable mark-up of 25% of the expert invoice. We examine what that means for claimant firms.
19 June 2026 · 10 min readRead →Costs-Only ProceedingsCPR 46.14 Costs-Only Proceedings: When Should Claimant Solicitors Issue Part 8?
Costs agreed in principle but not paid? This guide explains when claimant solicitors should consider CPR 46.14 costs-only proceedings and Part 8 after settlement.
11 June 2026 · 9 min readRead →Housing Disrepair CostsPoints of Dispute in Housing Disrepair Costs: The 12 Most Common Reductions
Received Points of Dispute on a housing disrepair bill? This guide explains the 12 most common reductions raised by paying parties and how claimant firms should approach Replies and negotiation.
11 June 2026 · 9 min readRead →Housing Disrepair CostsBreach of Settlement in Housing Disrepair Claims: Can Claimant Firms Recover Further Costs?
Has a landlord breached a housing disrepair settlement or failed to complete agreed works? This guide explains when claimant firms may be able to recover further costs, why Tomlin Order wording matters and how to protect the HDR costs position.
11 June 2026 · 9 min readRead →Legal CostsGuideline Hourly Rates 2026: What Claimant Firms Need to Know
The 2026 Guideline Hourly Rates are now in force. This guide explains the new rates and how claimant firms should approach hourly rates, fee earner grades, proportionality and paying party challenges.
10 June 2026 · 9 min readRead →MoD NIHL CostsMoD NIHL Costs After Matrix Settlement: Why the Damages Matrix Does Not Cap Your Costs
Does the MoD NIHL damages matrix cap recoverable legal costs? This guide explains the difference between damages and costs, why military hearing loss claims should not be under-settled on costs, and when N252 or CPR 46.14 may be needed.
10 June 2026 · 8 min readRead →Housing Disrepair CostsHousing Disrepair Costs in 2026: Are HDR Claims Still Standard Basis?
Are housing disrepair costs still recoverable on the standard basis in 2026? This guide explains the current HDR costs position for claimant solicitors, including fixed recoverable costs, N252, Precedent S and CPR 46.14 costs-only proceedings.
10 June 2026 · 8 min readRead →