Dominic Regan conducts a costs poll around the country
Now that the nation can no longer reel back in shock at the result of Labour leadership polls I decided to conduct my own poll into a topic of equal concern—costs!! Since, in a typical talking week, I will find myself in five cities in as many days I was able to speak to numerous practitioners about their experiences. I was appalled at some of the antics which some members of the judiciary have got up to. The plea from Jackson for a consistent approach and better training is unanswered.
Proportionate cost?
Take the case where a fee-earner in the north east was directed by central London to personally attend the case and costs management conference (CCMC). The return train journey cost £276, took six hours and that excludes the time and cost of reaching the station and the court respectively. A quiet read of CPR 1.1 which requires the court to deal with cases justly and at proportionate cost might benefit the judge in question.
