# DMD Costs

> DMD Costs Ltd is a B2B legal costs practice that drafts and negotiates standard-basis (non-FRC) costs for UK claimant solicitor firms — specialists in Housing Disrepair, MoD NIHL and clinical negligence. Instructed by firms only, never lay clients. Bills & e-Bills (Precedent S), Points of Dispute & Replies, Precedent H budgeting, N260s, costs-only proceedings (CPR 46.14) and negotiation to settlement.

## Services
- [Housing Disrepair Costs Draftsman](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/services/housing-disrepair-costs): Housing disrepair costs drafting for claimant solicitors: bills of costs, Precedent S, N252, Points of Dispute, Replies and settlement-led negotiation.
- [MoD NIHL Costs Drafting](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/services/mod-nihl-costs): Specialist MoD NIHL costs drafting for claimant solicitors. Military hearing loss bills, Precedent S, N252, Matrix settlement costs and negotiation.
- [Clinical Negligence Costs Drafting](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/services/clinical-negligence-costs): Clinical negligence costs draftsman or draftsperson for claimant solicitors: Precedent H budgets, bills of costs, Precedent S and Points of Dispute.
- [Costs Budgeting](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/services/costs-budgeting): Precedent H costs budgets, assumptions, Precedent R and Precedent T variation for claimant solicitor firms. Drafting-only support, fixed fee agreed first.
- [All services](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/services)

## Guides & case-law analysis (Blog)
- [Housing Ombudsman Decisions in a Disrepair Claim: Evidence, Credit and Costs](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/housing-ombudsman-decisions-housing-disrepair-claims): What a Housing Ombudsman determination proves in a disrepair claim, when a landlord can argue credit for its compensation, and what it means for costs.
- [JXX v Archibald [2026] EWHC 2404 (SCCO): Who Pays the Costs of the MRO Dispute?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/jxx-archibald-2026-ewhc-2404-mro-costs): JXX v Archibald [2026] EWHC 2404 (SCCO): claimants win the general costs of the MRO dispute despite a 40% reduction, with separate orders on disclosure, joinder and detailed assessment.
- [Birmingham City Council v Lee [2008] EWCA Civ 891: Pre-Allocation Costs in Housing Disrepair](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/birmingham-v-lee-housing-disrepair-costs): Birmingham City Council v Lee [2008] EWCA Civ 891 explained: pre-allocation costs, completed repairs, small claims allocation and why Court v Beyond Housing confirmed the case still matters in 2026.
- [Provisional Assessment in Housing Disrepair Costs: Why the Replies Matter](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/provisional-assessment-housing-disrepair-costs): Provisional assessment is the default route for most Housing Disrepair bills. Why the Replies are the only advocacy, what the £1,500 cap does to the economics, and the CPR 47.15(10) 20% test before requesting an oral hearing.
- [Part 36 in Housing Disrepair Costs: Which Rule Applies, and What Beating Your Own Offer Is Worth](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/part-36-housing-disrepair-costs): Which Part 36 costs rule applies to a housing disrepair claim, what CPR 36.17(4) gives a claimant who beats their own offer, and why CPR 36.24 substitutes 35% of the stage difference in fixed costs.
- [Pre-Action Costs in Housing Disrepair: Does the Landlord Pay If It Settles Before Issue?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/housing-disrepair-pre-action-costs): Paragraph 11 of the Housing Conditions protocol says the landlord will pay the tenant’s reasonable costs where the claim settles on terms which justify bringing it. What that means, and how to recover under CPR 46.14.
- [LM1 v Seacroft [2026]: Bill of Costs Struck Out Under the Medway Oil Principle](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/lm1-seacroft-medway-oil-bill-of-costs): LM1 v Seacroft [2026] EWHC 2212 (Ch) examines a struck-out Bill of Costs, the Medway Oil principle, CPR 47.7 and why a successful party recovered no costs.
- [Car-Wizard v Vixen: Can You Vary a Costs Budget During an Adjourned Trial?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/car-wizard-v-vixen-costs-budget-variation-precedent-t): Car-Wizard v Vixen [2026] EWHC 2177 (Ch) considers a costs budget variation during an adjourned trial, CPR 3.15A significant developments, Part 36 and payments on account.
- [Bassey v Whittaker: No Costs Budget Variation Without a Significant Development](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/bassey-v-whittaker-significant-development-costs-budget): Bassey v Whittaker [2026] EWHC 2126 (KB) confirms that the court has no general discretion to vary a costs budget under CPR 3.15A without a significant development.
- [Vulnerable Claimants and Housing Disrepair Costs: When Is Additional Work Recoverable?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/vulnerability-housing-disrepair-costs): Can additional client-care costs caused by vulnerability be recovered in Housing Disrepair claims? A practical guide to CPR 44.3(5)(f), PD 1A and proportionality.
- [Indemnity Costs After a Costs Budget: What Baroness Lawrence v Associated Newspapers Means for Recovery](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/baroness-lawrence-associated-newspapers-indemnity-costs-budget): Baroness Lawrence v Associated Newspapers [2026] EWHC 2207 (KB) explains indemnity costs, whether costs budgets still limit recovery, costs caps and payments on account.
- [N260 Statement of Costs: 2026 Guide to Summary Assessment, Deadlines and Recoverability](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/n260-statement-of-costs-summary-assessment): The N260 form for summary assessment: the 24-hour and two-day deadlines, hourly rates, VAT, late service and where schedules get cut. A 2026 guide for solicitors.
- [Magomedov v Rabinovich [2026]: Can the SCCO Order Security for the Costs of Detailed Assessment?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/magomedov-security-for-costs-detailed-assessment): No jurisdiction under CPR 25 — detailed assessment is its own regime. The useful half is what the court said is available instead: the interim costs certificate.
- [Defending Grade A Rates in Housing Disrepair Claims: When Are Senior Solicitor Rates Recoverable?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/grade-a-rates-housing-disrepair-costs): Can Grade A solicitor rates be recovered in housing disrepair claims? A practical 2026 guide to GHR, delegation, proportionality and defending hourly rates.
- [New Lottery Company v Gambling Commission [2026]: Indemnity Costs and Why Proportionality Drops Out](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/new-lottery-company-indemnity-costs-proportionality): Proportionality is not relevant to whether indemnity costs are ordered, and once ordered the paying party forfeits proportionality arguments at assessment.
- [Timokhin v Timokhina [2026] EWHC 1194: Can a 91% Part 36 Offer Still Be a Genuine Attempt to Settle?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/timokhin-genuine-attempt-to-settle-part-36): An offer at 91% of the claim was a genuine attempt to settle, because the claimant’s case was strong. There is no minimum discount, and the burden sits on the party resisting.
- [Winros v Global Energy [2026]: Can a Solicitor Recover Fees After Accepting a Repudiatory Breach?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/winros-global-energy-cfa-termination-quantum-meruit): The Court of Appeal refused a quantum meruit where the CFA already dealt with termination. Entitlement comes from the retainer, and the court will not imply a better one.
- [HD v North Devon Healthcare Trust [2026]: When an Unenforceable Retainer Wipes Out Recoverable Costs](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/hd-north-devon-unenforceable-retainer-indemnity-principle): The CFA covered the costs process. The solicitor abandoned the claims, the retainers became unenforceable, and the indemnity principle took the recoverable costs to nil.
- [Cubic v TfL [2026] EWHC 211: How Much Should Be Paid on Account of Costs?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/cubic-v-tfl-payment-on-account-of-costs): There is no standard 60%. The court forms a provisional view of what will survive detailed assessment and orders a figure safely below it — so the information you give decides the sum.
- [Attersley v UK Insurance [2026] EWCA Civ 217: Late Part 36 Acceptance Does Not Rewrite the Costs Regime](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/attersley-late-part-36-acceptance-costs-regime): An offer accepted 16 months late, after allocation to the multi-track. The Court of Appeal held the regime was fixed at expiry of the relevant period, not at acceptance.
- [Alphabet v AXA [2026] EWHC 674: Is It an Abuse to Issue Proceedings to Recover Pre-Action Costs?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/alphabet-v-axa-proceedings-to-recover-pre-action-costs): Issuing to recover pre-action costs is not an abuse, and the test for instructing solicitors is reasonableness not necessity. But the claim was £1,006.80 and the award was £599.
- [Ward v Rai [2026] EWCA Civ 816: When Can Defective Points of Dispute Survive?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/ward-v-rai-defective-points-of-dispute): The Court of Appeal restored a Costs Judge who allowed a vague point of dispute and a schedule served two working days before assessment. What it changes, and what it does not.
- [Costs Case Law: The Decisions That Matter, and What They Actually Decide](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/costs-case-law-index): The costs decisions that change how a bill is drawn: Mazur, Duffy, Kapoor, JXX, Smith v Wigan and Abbott — each with its citation and the point it decides.
- [Kapoor v Johal: When a Bill of Costs Is Assessed at Nil](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/kapoor-v-johal-bill-assessed-at-nil): A bill claiming £258,583.78 assessed at nil under CPR 44.11, where the client was invoiced about £84,000. The indemnity principle, and the check for it.
- [The Costs Recovery Checklist for Claimant Firms, Stage by Stage](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/costs-recovery-checklist-claimant-firms): A stage-by-stage costs recovery checklist for claimant solicitor firms: settlement wording, the papers, the bill, the CPR 47 deadlines, Replies and assessment.
- [Mazur and the Conduct of Litigation: Where the Law Stands After the Court of Appeal](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/mazur-stuart-charles-russell-conduct-of-litigation-costs): The Court of Appeal overturned Mazur on 31 March 2026, restoring lawful delegation where an authorised individual retains direction, control and responsibility.
- [Costs Draftsman or Costs Lawyer: Which Do You Actually Need?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/costs-draftsman-vs-costs-lawyer): Costs Lawyer is a regulated title under the Legal Services Act 2007. Costs draftsman is not. What each can do, when the difference matters, and what to ask.
- [Points of Dispute in Clinical Negligence Costs: The Timetable, the Budget and the Usual Challenges](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/clinical-negligence-points-of-dispute-detailed-assessment): Is there a Points of Dispute template? Precedent G is the required format, but PD 47 bars standard-form Replies. Worked clinical negligence examples.
- [Part 36 Late Acceptance: When Does the CPR 36.17 Uplift Actually Apply?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/part-36-late-acceptance-cpr-36-17-uplift): Does late acceptance of a Part 36 offer trigger indemnity costs, interest or the 10% additional amount? A 2026 guide for claimant solicitors.
- [JXX and Santiago: Medical Agency Fees Head to the Court of Appeal in March 2027](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/jxx-santiago-mro-fees-court-of-appeal-2027): JXX v Archibald and MIB v Santiago are listed in the Court of Appeal for March 2027. We explain what the appeals could mean for MRO fees, agency mark-ups and fee breakdowns.
- [Fuschillo v Johnson & Johnson (No 2) [2026]: Why the High Court Ordered Costs Budgeting in £10m+ Litigation](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/fuschillo-johnson-johnson-costs-budgeting-2026): Fuschillo v Johnson & Johnson [2026] explains why costs budgeting may be ordered in £10m+ PI and clinical negligence claims despite CPR 3.12.
- [£1,000 Housing Disrepair Settlement Does Not Automatically Mean Small Claims Costs: Smith v Wigan Borough Council](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/smith-v-wigan-housing-disrepair-small-claims-costs): Smith v Wigan: a £1,000 Housing Disrepair settlement does not automatically restrict costs to Small Claims Track levels under CPR 46.13.
- [Clinical Negligence Costs Budgets: Precedent H, the CCMC and the Rules That Decide Recovery](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/clinical-negligence-costs-budgets-precedent-h-ccmc): Clinical negligence costs budgeting: when CPR 3.12 applies, the CPR 3.13 deadlines, assumptions that survive the CCMC, Precedent T variation and CPR 3.18.
- [Clinical Negligence Bills of Costs: Precedent S, the Electronic Bill and the Transition Date](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/clinical-negligence-bill-of-costs-precedent-s): When a clinical negligence bill must be electronic under PD 47, what Precedent S requires, and how to handle work spanning the 6 April 2018 Transition Date.
- [Abbott v Ministry of Defence: the Costs Judgment, 60% of Common Costs and a £2.5m Payment on Account](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/abbott-mod-costs-judgment-60-percent-payment-on-account): The Abbott v Ministry of Defence costs judgment [2026] EWHC 2083 (KB): 60% of common costs, the £2.5m interim payment, and why costs documentation mattered.
- [Awaab’s Law Phase 2 Begins on 30 November 2026: What Claimant Housing Solicitors Need to Know](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/awaabs-law-phase-2-30-november-2026): Awaab’s Law Phase 2 begins on 30 November 2026. DMD Costs examines the new hazards, deadlines, evidence and costs implications for claimant solicitors.
- [Court Fee Increases From 13 July 2026: Updated Costs and Detailed Assessment Fees](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/court-fee-increases-13-july-2026): Civil court fees increased on 13 July 2026. See the updated fees for Part 8 costs-only claims, applications, detailed assessment and Default Costs Certificates.
- [Housing Disrepair Claims With Rent Arrears: Can a Tenant Still Claim?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/housing-disrepair-claims-with-rent-arrears): Rent arrears do not automatically prevent a Housing Disrepair claim. We examine counterclaims, set-off, possession proceedings, damages and legal costs.
- [Duffy v Birmingham City Council: Can a Defective Housing Disrepair Bill Still Commence Detailed Assessment?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/duffy-birmingham-defective-housing-disrepair-bill): What does Duffy v Birmingham City Council mean for defective housing disrepair bills, detailed assessment and Default Costs Certificates?
- [Abbott v Ministry of Defence: The Costs Consequences for Military NIHL Claims](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/abbott-ministry-defence-mod-nihl-costs): What does Abbott v Ministry of Defence mean for MoD NIHL costs? Guidance for claimant firms on audiology, experts, hearing aids and bill preparation.
- [JXX v Archibald: Is the Recoverable MRO Mark-Up Now Capped at 25%?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/jxx-archibald-mro-mark-up-25-percent-cap): Does JXX v Archibald cap recoverable MRO mark-ups at 25%? A practical guide for claimant firms on expert fees, disbursements and detailed assessment.
- [CPR 46.14 Costs-Only Proceedings: When Should Claimant Solicitors Issue Part 8?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/cpr-46-14-costs-only-proceedings-part-8): When should claimant solicitors issue Part 8 costs-only proceedings under CPR 46.14? A practical guide for unpaid costs after settlement.
- [Points of Dispute in Housing Disrepair Costs: The 12 Most Common Reductions](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/housing-disrepair-points-of-dispute-common-reductions): Received Points of Dispute on a housing disrepair claim? The 12 most common costs reductions in HDR claims, and how claimant firms can respond.
- [Breach of Settlement in Housing Disrepair Claims: Can Claimant Firms Recover Further Costs?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/breach-of-settlement-housing-disrepair-costs): Can claimant firms recover further costs after breach of a housing disrepair settlement? An HDR costs guide to Tomlin Orders, repair terms and enforcement.
- [Guideline Hourly Rates 2026: What Claimant Firms Need to Know](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/guideline-hourly-rates-2026-claimant-costs): The 2026 Guideline Hourly Rates in full, London 1 Grade A £579 down to National 2 Grade D £142 — plus how claimant firms justify a rate above them.
- [MoD NIHL Matrix Settlements and Costs: Why the Damages Matrix Does Not Cap Recoverable Costs](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/mod-nihl-costs-after-matrix-settlement): Does an MoD NIHL Matrix settlement cap legal costs? DMD Costs explains Abbott, standard-basis assessment, proportionality, fixed costs and costs-only proceedings.
- [Housing Disrepair Costs in 2026: Are HDR Claims Still Standard Basis?](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog/housing-disrepair-costs-2026-standard-basis): Are housing disrepair costs still recoverable on the standard basis in 2026? A practical guide for claimant solicitors on HDR costs, FRC, N252 and Part 8.
- [All articles](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/blog)

## Company
- [About DMD Costs](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/about): Who we are and how we work — accuracy, proportionality and speed.
- [Contact](https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/contact): Send a file or enquiry. B2B only; we reply within one working day.
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## Contact
- Email: info@dmdcosts.co.uk
- Telephone: 07503 992804