A brief guide in relation to costings, the list is not exhaustive and please feel free to contact the office on 01253 892237 should you have any queries.
Whilst you are liable for any short fall and/or unrecoverable costs (difference between base costs (hourly rate) and fixed recoverable costs) this amount will be included and capped at between 15% to 20% including vat from your damages (injury plus past losses less benefits you may have received).
In addition the success fee calculated upon the base costs (hourly rate) is considered an unrecoverable cost. However this figure will also be replaced and CAPPED and included within the percentage deduction from any damages awarded.
To provide an example:
If I receive £5000 damages my cap on fees is 20% inc. vat = £1000
If my base costs (hourly rate) are £5000 including vat and recoverable costs are £2000. The unrecoverable costs are £3000.
In addition to this my success fee calculated on the risk of the case upon inception of my claim at 66.67% applied on those costs would be £3335.00.
Total unrecoverable costs = £6335. I pay the Cap of £1000 from my damages and no more.
Whilst not compulsory you may seek a quotation for an insurance policy to protect you against cost and disbursements in pursuit of your claim for damages. This can be taken from any damages awarded.
Our current hourly charging rates (base costs) can vary between £134 to £272 per hour dependent on the complexity of the case.
| A | Solicitors and legal executives with over 8 years experience | £272 |
| B | Solicitors and legal executives with over 4 years experience | £223 |
| C | Other solicitors or legal executives and fee earners of equivalent experience | £189 |
| D | Trainee solicitors, paralegals and other fee earners | £134 |
In accordance with Rule 2.03 Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007, you are at any stage entitled to request an estimate of costs incurred at any stage in the proceedings. We would envisage the same to be approximately £3000 - £5000 inclusive of vat (Vat currently as of 2025 at 20%). Normal practise is to issue the same upon request however, should you require a quarterly costs update, please email us, or call us on: (01253) 892237
What fixed / recoverable costs are payable from your opponents:
In Road traffic accidents = £500 plus vat (if the claim settles within the Ministry of Justice claims portal) between £5000.01 to £10,000.
And £800 plus vat if between £10,000.01 to £25,000.
In Employers/ Public/Occupiers Liability = £900 plus vat (if the claim settles within the Ministry of Justice claims portal) between £1000.01 and £10,000
And £1600 plus vat if the claim settles between £10,000.01 to £25,000.
Greater costs on a fixed basis apply should the claim settle out of the portal process and refer to:
(1) TABLE 12: rule 45.44 – amount of fixed costs in the fast track
(2) TABLE 14: rule 45.50 – amount of fixed costs in the intermediate track
NB: Base costs (hourly rate) are recoverable in personal injury cases that fall above £100,000 (multi track for personal injury) and in other claims above £1000.01 medical negligence and accidents abroad as part of a Package Holiday (The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018)