Foskett J sets the record straight over the survey into guideline hourly rates
Why do we need GHRs?
The guideline hourly rates were originally developed to help judges making summary assessments of costs in civil litigation and thus deciding what solicitors and other legal fee earners should be paid by the losing side for their work on a case. However, they have a wider influence than that and are a common reference point for practitioners, clients and the judiciary. They are set formally by the Master of the Rolls.
Why are new GHRs required?
They were last updated in 2010 and the underlying evidence for the 2010 rates was itself out-dated. Successive Masters of the Rolls did not want to increase the rates based simply on inflation. They have wanted any change to be based on a clear evidence base.
