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25 February 2021 / Julian Chamberlayne
Issue: 7922 / Categories: Features , Profession , Legal services
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A matter of time: guideline hourly rates (Pt 2)

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In his second update, Julian Chamberlayne discusses national banding & the impact of enhancement factors on recommended rates
  • London: a rebranding.
  • National 1 and 2: a substantial convergence.
  • Complexity/value enhancement.
  • Looking ahead.

In the first article in this series, I considered the background and methodology behind the Civil Justice Council (CJC) working party report on the Guideline Hourly Rates (GHR) of 8 January 2021. I now consider its analysis and recommendations for London, the national bandings and the enhancement factors that can be applied in cases of complexity, importance or high value.

London

The GHR previously divided London by firms located in the City, central London and outer London. The CJC’s report recommends retaining three categories but rebrands them as London 1, 2 and 3.

London 1 is no longer based on firms being located in the City of London. Instead, it is intended to exclusively relate to very heavy commercial and corporate work undertaken anywhere in London. While at first blush that may sound like a big change,

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