…. to help maximise your profit costs FIVE TASTY COSTS TIPS …. to help maximise your profit costs

Part 36 - The unlevel playing field Different consequences for Claimants and Defendants: Defendants – CPR 36.17 (3) Claimants – CPR 36.17 (4) Claimants’ opportunity to avoid fixed costs - Broadhurst v TAN 2016 EWCA Civ 94 RTA. Claimants’ opportunity to avoid capped costs on provisional assessment – Lowin v Portsmouth 2016 QB

Attendance notes - Tips to please the Costs Judge Break down the work between activities State the nature and purpose of any amendments Do not write off time from attendance notes Record the number of pages considered Use attendance notes for more than just time recording  

Interim costs payments – More or less? Thomas Pink Limited v Victoria's Secret UK Limited [2014] EWHC 3258 (Ch) Traditional IP awards around 50%. In Pink, 90% IP was awarded. Forthcoming appeal in Harrison v Coventry NHS likely to have effect on level of IP’s in budgeted cases

Retainers – Some golden rules   - Ensure all work is covered - Think carefully about hourly rates - Review immediately when major things happen - e.g.: - Death - Loss of capacity - Child attaining majority

Budgeting – in practice What do you want from Counsel/experts? The importance of claim value Submit bundles for CCMCs Amend or revise – what’s the difference?