header-logo header-logo

Costs: Could being frugal end up costly?

08 April 2022 / Laura Rees
Issue: 7974 / Categories: Features , Profession , Costs
printer mail-detail
77731
Laura Rees discusses the perils of being economical with budget information
  • A look at the recent case of ST v ZY whereby the claimant’s solicitors came under fire for seeking recovery of costs.
  • The importance of discussing budgets with clients.

The recent decision in ST v ZY [2022] EWHC B5 (Costs), All ER (D) 95 (Feb) by Senior Costs Judge Gordon-Saker is another decision where claimant solicitors faced criticism for seeking to recover a shortfall in the costs from their client when they had not supplied sufficient information.

The case proceeded on behalf of the claimant (a minor), the claimant’s mother and the claimant’s three siblings. The case brought by the mother and her three other children was discontinued but continued for the claimant. The claimant’s solicitor, Irwin Mitchell, wrote to their client at the conclusion of the claim seeking to recover a shortfall of the costs totalling £53,719. The costs budget had been exceeded by over £31,000 and the 1% and 2% costs recoverable in respect

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Partner joins family law team inLondon

Jackson Lees Group—five promotions

Jackson Lees Group—five promotions

Private client division announces five new partners

Taylor Wessing—Max Millington

Taylor Wessing—Max Millington

Banking and finance team welcomes partner in London

NEWS
The landmark Supreme Court’s decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd—along with Rukhadze v Recovery Partners—redefine fiduciary duties in commercial fraud. Writing in NLJ this week, Mary Young of Kingsley Napley analyses the implications of the rulings
Barristers Ben Keith of 5 St Andrew’s Hill and Rhys Davies of Temple Garden Chambers use the arrest of Simon Leviev—the so-called Tinder Swindler—to explore the realities of Interpol red notices, in this week's NLJ
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] has upended assumptions about who may conduct litigation, warn Kevin Latham and Fraser Barnstaple of Kings Chambers in this week's NLJ. But is it as catastrophic as first feared?
Lord Sales has been appointed to become the Deputy President of the Supreme Court after Lord Hodge retires at the end of the year
Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are reportedly in the firing line in Chancellor Rachel Reeves upcoming Autumn budget
back-to-top-scroll