Civil Costs: Law and Practice, 2nd Edition

Introduction

• The History of Costs
• The Language of Costs
• The Status of the Rules Governing Costs
• The Court's Powers

The Law of Costs

• The Nature of Costs
• Orders for Costs (Jurisdiction and Discretion)
• Orders for Costs (Types of Order)
• Retainers (General Principles)
• Conditional Retainers (Conditional Fee Agreements)
• Errors in Retainers
• The Indemnity Principle
• Points of Law
• The Bases of Assessment (Indemnity Basis and Standard Basis)
• Acceptance of Part 36 offers and ‘Beating' Defendant's Part 36 offers
• Costs Capping
• Security for Costs

The Practice of Costs (Solicitor and Client)

• Invoices and Bills
• Solicitor and Client Assessments
• Compromise and Alternatives to Statutory Assessments
• Solicitors' Rights and Remedies: Proceedings, Lien, and Charging Orders

The Practice of Costs (Between the Parties)

• Detailed Assessments between Opposing Parties
• Summary Assessments
• Appeals
• Evidential Issues
• Representation and Rights of Audience

The Quantum of Costs (Solicitor and Client)

• The Basis of Assessment between Solicitor and Client
• Quantum between Solicitor and Client

The Quantum of Costs (Between the Parties)

• Hourly Rates
• Additional Liabilities
• Disbursements
• Counsel's Fees
• Fixed Costs, Costs on the Small Claims Track, and Fast Track Costs
• Points of Principle
• Value Added Tax
• Interest Between Opposing Parties

Particular Circumstances

• Contracts and Trusts
• Specific Types of Party
• Specific Types of Litigation
• Costs Against the Courts Service
• Third-Party Funding
• Precedents