Lord Justice Jackson’s recommendations for the expansion of fixed recoverable costs should go no further than the fast-track, costs lawyers say.
An Association of Costs Lawyers’ poll of 155 members found more than half opposed to fixed costs beyond the fast-track. This is partly because, as Jackson LJ has acknowledged, the costs budgeting process has improved significantly in the past 18 months.
The survey also reveals a poor track record among solicitors—a mere 5% of costs lawyers said their clients always stuck to their budgets; 65% said they sometimes went over, while 29% had clients who always exceeded their budgets.
However, ACL chairman Iain Stark said: ‘Budgeting is becoming embedded in civil litigation and it will only keep on improving.
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