Send us the Bill of Costs. We can take it from there.

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SPH Costs prepares Points of Dispute for paying parties, insurers, local authorities, public bodies and defendant solicitors throughout England & Wales. We do more than provide a standalone drafting document. In most cases, our specialist Costs Lawyers can continue handling the costs dispute after the Points of Dispute are served, including negotiations and Detailed Assessment proceedings through to conclusion.

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Where appropriate, an SPH Costs Lawyer can go on the court record, allowing the instructing solicitor to outsource the costs dispute rather than having to resume conduct of the matter once the Points of Dispute have been drafted.

 

Points of Dispute – 7-Day Standard Turnaround

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Our normal turnaround for Points of Dispute is 7 days. Where a deadline is imminent, we can also deal with urgent Points of Dispute on the same day where required. To get started, send us the Bill of Costs. We can review the Bill initially and identify what is required before asking you for any additional papers.

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What SPH Costs Can Handle

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Our paying-party costs service can include:

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• Reviewing the Bill of Costs and identifying the principal reduction opportunities.

• Drafting targeted Points of Dispute under CPR Part 47 and Precedent G.

• Challenging hourly rates and fee-earner grading.

• Challenging excessive time, duplication and over-lawyering.

• Advancing proportionality arguments.

• Challenging recoverability and scope.

• Considering Counsel, expert and other significant costs.

• Dealing with correspondence following service of the Points of Dispute.

• Negotiating with the receiving party.

• Dealing with Detailed Assessment proceedings.

• Costs Lawyer conduct of the costs proceedings where appropriate.

• Taking the costs dispute through to conclusion.

 

You do not necessarily need to instruct SPH for the drafting and then take the matter back. In most cases, we can continue handling the costs dispute for you.

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Proven Results

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£70,000 Bill Reduced to Approximately £40,000 – £30,000 Saving

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A Schedule of Costs of approximately £70,000 was served in a public liability claim. Our Points of Dispute focused on excessive Grade A fee-earner time, duplication where Counsel had undertaken key work, disproportionate costs relative to damages and a lack of breakdown in significant time entries. We also deployed procedural and technical arguments as part of the paying party's position. Outcome:

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• Costs reduced to approximately £40,000.

• Saving of approximately £30,000 (43%).

• A contribution was also secured towards the Defendant's own costs.

 

£15,500 Costs Claim Reduced to Approximately £150 Net Recovery

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In a housing disrepair claim, a Bill of Costs of approximately £15,500 was served following discontinued proceedings.

We advanced challenges concerning recoverability of pre-issue costs, procedural issues arising from discontinuance and proportionality.  The matter proceeded through Detailed Assessment and a further application. Outcome:

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• Approximately £3,600 allowed on assessment.

• Net recovery ultimately reduced to approximately £150.

• The claimant's costs position was substantially reduced.

 

Need Points of Dispute?

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If you have been served with a Bill of Costs, send us the Bill initially and our paying-party costs team can review the position.  Our standard Points of Dispute turnaround is 7 days, with same-day assistance available where an imminent deadline requires it.  For matters requiring more than drafting, SPH can also deal with negotiations and Detailed Assessment proceedings through to conclusion, with specialist Costs Lawyer involvement where appropriate.

Upload your Bill of Costs or contact SPH Costs to get started.