header-logo header-logo

07 February 2025
Issue: 8103 / Categories: Legal News , Costs , Profession , Regulatory
printer mail-detail

NLJ this week: Hazards of using an unregulated costs draftsman

207246
Horses for courses, a lid for every pot and costs lawyers for costs (regulated, of course). Otherwise, it could all turn into a shambles. In this week’s NLJ, Jack Ridgway, chair of the Association of Costs Lawyers and a senior associate costs lawyer at Bolt Burdon Kemp, highlights the perils of using an unregulated costs draftsman.

As Ridgway explains, unregulated costs draftsmen are not even cheaper. He sets out some of the risks involved, and takes a look at the illustrative case of Kapoor (deceased) v Johal [2024] EWHC 2853 (SCCO)—'a clear example of a case in which using an unqualified and unregulated costs draftsman has not assisted the solicitor acting for the receiving party’.

Ridgway states some of the benefits of using a regulated costs lawyers: ‘As a costs lawyer is a specialist, their advice can be relied upon in the same way as counsel’s advice. A cost lawyer has professional indemnity insurance.’ 
Issue: 8103 / Categories: Legal News , Costs , Profession , Regulatory
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll