top of page
Your Strategic Partner in Legal Costs with 30+ Years of Experience
Independent, outcome-focused costs support across Legal Aid, Court of Protection, public law and personal injury matters
Search
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP: Litigation Costs Risk and Recoverability After February 2026
The Mazur appeal raises important questions about who may lawfully conduct litigation and the consequences for costs recovery. This article examines why the February 2026 hearing matters from a costs perspective, and how issues of delegation, supervision, and recoverability are likely to be scrutinised during assessment.
23 hours ago3 min read
Civil Legal Aid Costs: Current Processing Times Explained
The Legal Aid Agency has published an updated snapshot of current civil processing dates. This update provides helpful insight into expected timescales for applications, amendments and billing, particularly following the recent reinstatement of the online portal. Understanding these timelines allows firms and costs teams to plan billing, manage cashflow and set realistic expectations around costs progression and payment.
Jan 133 min read
Guideline Hourly Rates 2026: A Welcome Uplift – and a More Certain Framework for Costs
New Guideline Hourly Rates apply from 1 January 2026 following an inflationary uplift confirmed by the Master of the Rolls. The update brings greater certainty for solicitors acting for both paying and receiving parties and signals a continued commitment to keeping rates under review.
Jan 23 min read
Legal Aid Agency Update: CCMS Restoration, Contingency Billing and the End of the Average Payment Scheme
The Legal Aid Agency has confirmed that the Average Payment Scheme will end in January 2026, with recoupments starting shortly afterwards. Legal aid providers should now prioritise preparing and submitting legal aid costs claims via CCMS to minimise the financial impact of recoupment and avoid cashflow disruption. Early preparation will be critical as contingency arrangements are brought to a close.
Dec 12, 20253 min read
Civil Legal Aid Fees Set for Significant Increase from December 2025
From December 2025, civil legal aid fees will increase significantly, with major uplifts for housing and immigration controlled work and higher hourly and fixed fees. We explain what the new Regulations mean for providers and the practical cost implications.
Dec 9, 20252 min read
Common Costs Budgeting Mistakes - and How SPH Costing Services Can Help Solicitors Avoid Them
Costs budgeting is a critical part of effective litigation, yet common mistakes can significantly limit costs recovery. This article explores frequent costs budgeting errors, including underestimating future phases, weak budget assumptions, and failing to update budgets as cases develop. It explains how early and ongoing involvement of specialist costs draftsmen can help solicitors prepare realistic budgets, manage spend, reduce disputes, and protect recoverable litigation co
Dec 8, 20253 min read
A New Digital Dawn: Legal Aid Agency Unveils Silas, SPH Embraces the Change
A New Digital Dawn: Legal Aid Agency Unveils Silas, SPH Embraces the Change
Dec 3, 20251 min read
Court of Protection Billing Update – 1st December 2025
Court of Protection Billing Update – 01st December 2025
Dec 3, 20252 min read
Common CCMS Errors – and How to Avoid Rejections
The Legal Aid Agency’s Client and Cost Management System (CCMS) is now entrenched in everyday practice for legal aid firms. However, despite years of use, many solicitors and caseworkers still face frustrating CCMS rejections, delays, or requests for further information — all of which slow down cash flow and create unnecessary administrative burdens. With the reintroduction of the portal imminent, now is a good time to revisit common reasons for rejection. The vast majority
Nov 24, 20254 min read
How Deputies Can Maximise Court of Protection Bills: A Practical Guide - Law Costs Draftsmen
How Deputies Can Maximise Court of Protection Bills: A Practical Guide
Nov 24, 20254 min read
Use of electronic bills in Court of Protection cases
The pilot scheme is due to end on 28th April. However, the Court will continue to accept electronic bills after that date given that the...
Apr 20, 20232 min read
LAA High Cost Case Plans
We would welcome the opportunity of demonstrating our exceptional Legal Aid High-Cost Case plan service to you. We can assist Clients with either traditional paper files or those who are paperless. We can assist as follows: Family Cases: We can prepare High-Cost Case Plans under the VHCC CCFS scheme to include both interim and final High-Cost Case Plans, collating the significant amount of supporting documentation required by the LAA, completion of the CCFS contract wit
Apr 3, 20232 min read
Notice to customers - Court of Protection bills - The Senior Courts Costs Office - Update
Notice to customers regarding Court of Protection bills
Nov 23, 20222 min read
Senior Courts Costs Office update - Notice to customers regarding Court of Protection bills.
Senior Courts Costs Office update - Notice to customers regarding Court of Protection bills. April 2022
Apr 6, 20222 min read
Senior Courts Costs Office update - Notice to customers regarding Court of Protection bills
The following update has been published by the Honourable Court: "Notice to customers regarding Court of Protection bills Please be...
Feb 7, 20222 min read
E-filing - ‘Cradle to grave’ service for SCCO Bills of Costs
E-filing - ‘Cradle to grave’ service for SCCO Bills of Costs
Oct 26, 20211 min read
Guideline Hourly Rates Report published by CJC.
The Civil Justice Council has published its final report on guideline hourly rates. The full report can be found here: ...
Aug 1, 20211 min read
Announcement: New secure document Portal upload facility for SPH Costing Services.
We have developed the Portal to make instructing us quicker, easier, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. Our easy-to-use new...
Jun 16, 20211 min read
GHCR – latest recommendations released
GHCR – latest recommendations released The writer has previously reported the most recent case law addressing the considerably outdated...
Jan 12, 20213 min read
Guideline Rates should be increased by 35% - latest ruling
Summary assessment has always been, in the writer’s opinion, somewhat of a “rough and ready” affair and whilst it is generally accepted...
Dec 3, 20204 min read
Costs Blog
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is provided on a complimentary basis. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of SPH Costing Services Ltd. The content of the blog is not intended to and does not constitute legal advice on any specific matter or generally. Individual Legal advice should be sought from a Lawyer in relation to any specific case or issue. SPH Costing Services Ltd does not accept any responsibility for the correctness of this blog or for any consequences of relying on it.
bottom of page