ARC Costs Lawyers and Draftsmen

The high-profile libel battle between footballers’ wives Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy, dubbed the ‘Wagatha Christie’ saga, has returned to the courtroom. This time, the dispute is over the issue of Rooney’s legal bill, which amounts to nearly £2 million. The detailed assessment remains ongoing at the time of writing, and is to be listed for a line-by-line assessment of costs, but Senior Costs Judge Gordon Saker did pass interesting comments that the Statement of Truth attached to Costs Budgets may need to be reconsidered. Given multiple recent decisions whereby Claimants have been criticised for “over-egging” their Costs Budgets, it doesn’t sit right that opposing parties can purposefully limit the costs they disclose in their own Costs Budget in order to make the other side’s costs appear unreasonable and disproportionate. This seems like gamesmanship which would render costs budgeting unfit for purpose if honest figures are not disclosed. https://bit.ly/4h2duXG

The recent case of MB v CD [2024] Costs LR 1183 brought fresh attention to the principles underpinning Legal Services Payment Orders and the judicial discretion involved in their application. #familylaw #legalservicespaymentorder https://bit.ly/4eaonos

A case is designated as a VHCC when its expenses surpass £25,000, including profit costs, Counsel fees and disbursements (but not VAT). The VHCC categorisation can apply to a range of civil matters, such as those related to education, clinical malpractice, criminal law, prison law, and high expenditure family matters. Find out more: https://bit.ly/47LUGGI

As independent Costs Lawyers and Costs Draftsman providing legal advice, we act for both receiving parties in maximising their legal costs recovery, and also for paying parties in reducing the amount of any costs claim brought against them or to preserve the Estate. #contentiousprobate #legalcosts https://bit.ly/3WIS8FG

ARC Costs recently assisted a firm of solicitors who were unable to negotiate their costs following a Judicial Review case. The solicitors instructed ARC Costs to prepare a Bill of Costs to ensure compliance with CPR 47.6, and ultimately the digital papers were costed and a Bill produced within a week of instruction. Find out more:https://bit.ly/4gfCfhO

Claiming costs in tribunal cases will depend on the type and complexity of the tribunal. ARC Costs can assist in the recovery or negotiation of tribunal costs. We can assist both paying parties and receiving parties on all types of tribunal costs cases. #legalcosts #tribunals #solicitors #solicitorsuk https://bit.ly/46Y8kYn

A barrister has been disbarred following a court ruling that found her fundamentally dishonest in pursuing a £250,000 personal injury claim. This case highlights the severe consequences of fundamental dishonesty and costs for legal professionals, emphasising the high standards of integrity required within the profession. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3ZbiPUx

ARC Costs regularly assist in legal costs matters which are assessed by the Legal Aid Agency. Our team are often successful successful in recovering 100% of costs for the representing firm of solicitors. Whilst the LAA may apply reductions where appropriate, if a reasonable costs claim is put forward, they will often allow the costs as claimed. https://bit.ly/48xImKU

The recent case of Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd t/a MotoNovo [2024] EWCA Civ 1282 was part of a broader Court of Appeal judgment on car finance agreement practices. It centred on undisclosed commissions paid by lenders to car dealers or brokers, which were not transparently disclosed to customers. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3AT2BHy

ARC Costs were recently instructed by a solicitor to serve urgent replies to point of dispute and avoided a bill of costs being struck out under CPR 47.14. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3B4rVKC