Guided - to give you an extra 4%
The contentious contentious —if you know what we mean—guideline rates for the summary assessment of costs have been raised by 4% (to keep in line with the average earnings in private sector services) for work done after 31 December 2007 (see NLJ, 11 January 2008, pp 59–60). The rates which are habitually quoted, cursed, blessed and often judicially adopted are available in civil and family cases. The last rise was one year ago, after a two-year nap. The latest update is temporary. A completely new set of rates is expected by mid-
2008.
City of grade A fee earners are the winners—yes, we know about the rent review—at £396 per hour, down to £304 in central and £219–256 for other courts in the group.
Argue and you shall be heard
The guide is intended to be of help and assistance to judges but not as a substitute for the proper exercise of their discretion having heard argument on the issues
