CHARGES
Our charges (mostly calculated on a time spent basis, at £78 an hour + VAT) are set out in full below. All of the following charging rates are subject to VAT at (currently) 20%. Our charges are payable within 28 days of completion of the work (although we will consider extending that period if we receive a regular supply of work).
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The preparation of bills and schedule of costs for detailed and summary assessment
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Our charges are calculated on a time spent basis at £78 an hour.
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These charges can achieve a large saving for a client since they are usually recoverable at (at least) the Grade D rate (although, as the work is done by an experienced litigation solicitor, a rate that is higher than the Grade D rate can be claimed).
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If you are entitled to a success fee on costs draftsman’s charges you retain all of it.
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Costs management support and advice including the drafting, challenging and negotiating of budgets and attendance at costs management hearings
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This includes the preparation of a Precedent H form and the Precedent R Costs Budget Discussion Report.
We prepare all supporting documents, including a disbursements addendum (detailing all disbursements past and future for ease of reference) and a supporting breakdown of both the pre-budget and estimated costs.
Our charges are calculated on a time spent basis at the following charging rates.
For preparation: £78 an hour
Advocacy at costs management hearings: £78 an hour
Travel: £55 an hour but limited to the charge for travelling from your office to the court and back, calculated at £55 an hour.
Waiting: £55 an hour
Costs budgets must be prepared in sufficient time for them to be approved by a client and served in accordance with any required time limits. Therefore, it is advisable to check with us that we can undertake the work within the required time and let us have the papers/information needed early.
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We can negotiate to try to agree figures before a CMCC and continue to advise and, if needed, update the budget, as the case proceeds.
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In-house costing/budgeting and advice
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We can attend solicitors’ offices (in most parts of London and the South East of England) to prepare bills and budgets for larger files (or a large number of smaller files).
Our charges are calculated on a time spent basis at £78 an hour for all of the chargeable work done at your office (or in our office, if we complete the work there) subject to a minimum charge of £175 + VAT.
We do not charge for the time spent or the expenses of travelling to your office.
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Negotiating in relation to the inter-partes costs
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At each stage of the proceedings the ultimate costs consequences should be considered, and we can advise as to the best way forward (on a best/worst case scenario basis). We can also advise where negotiations are entered into at the end of a case, or we can negotiate, on your behalf, with a view to reaching the most cost-effective settlement.
Our charges are calculated on a time spent basis at £78 an hour and can be recovered from the other side, in some circumstances.
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Attendance at detailed assessment and other hearings
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When settlement does not prove possible, we can attend detailed assessment hearings for you. David Saunders has a lot of experience of appearing in various courts, including the Senior Court Costs Office.
We can also represent you at small interlocutory applications, summary assessments and complex and lengthy detailed assessments.
Our charges are calculated on a time spent basis:
For preparation: £78 an hour
Advocacy at assessment hearings: £95 an hour.
Advocacy at other hearings: £78 an hour
Travel: £55 an hour but limited to the charge for travelling from your office to the court and back, calculated at £55 an hour.
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Waiting: £55 an hour
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These charges can achieve a large saving for a client since they are usually recoverable at (at least) the Grade D rate (and, as advocacy is undertaken by an experienced litigation solicitor, a rate that is higher than the Grade D rate can be claimed and is often allowed for assessment hearings).
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If you are entitled to a success fee on costs draftsman’s charges you retain all of it.
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Preparing points of dispute /replies
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We have the experience needed to identify issues and prepare comprehensive challenges and where appropriate, formal Points of Dispute upon costs claims received.
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Where challenges/Points of Dispute have been raised, we can advise on the most appropriate/cost effective way forward. This can be either by way of detailed Points of Reply or by way of informal replies which can be served during on-going negotiations.
Our charges are calculated on a time spent basis at £78 an hour
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Dealing with and/or advising during the provisional assessment procedure
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Our charges are calculated on a time spent basis at £78 an hour
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Telephone and e mail support on all aspects of costs law
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We do not usually charge for short advices and charge at £78 an hour for longer ones.