THE LAW COSTS SPECIALISTS

Current rates effective from 1st January 2009

Rates effective from 1st January 2008

Rates effective from 1st January 2007

Rates effective between 1st January 2005 and 31st December 2006

All rates are per hour

Please note that as stated by the Supreme Court Costs Office (SCCO) these are guideline rates. The rates are intended as broad approximations only but although never intended to be a fixed scale have effectively been adapted as such now by most courts. The guideline rates were introduced for summary assessment only but are used as a starting point in most detailed assessments. The rates incorporate a notional 50% uplift.

 Grades of Fee Earner

A Solicitors with over eight years' post qualification experience including at least eight years' litigation experience

B Solicitors and legal executives with over four years’ post qualification experience including at least four years’ litigation experience

C Other solicitors and legal executives and fee earners of equivalent experience

D Trainee solicitors, paralegals and other fee earners

Note. A “legal executive” is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.

Brief Guide to Grades

Prior to April 1999 a common rate for all levels of fee earners was used. This rate was adjusted by a percentage mark up for the profit element of the Solicitors’ charges.

Following April 1999 a system of three categories of fee earner was utilised:

Grade 1 Solicitors with four years’ post qualification experience

Grade 2 Other solicitors and legal executives and fee earners of equivalent experience

Grade 3 Trainee solicitors and fee earners of equivalent experience

In July 2001 this system was further categorised into the system used today.