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Preparing a High Costs Case Plan (HCCP) is one of the most important stages in managing a complex Legal Aid case.

A well-prepared HCCP does far more than secure initial funding. It establishes a realistic framework for the progression of the case, supports future amendments and helps reduce the risk of unnecessary challenges from the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).

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SPH Costs prepares High Costs Case Plans for solicitors throughout England & Wales. Whether you require a new HCCP, amendments to an existing plan or assistance responding to LAA queries, we provide practical support that helps firms secure appropriate funding while reducing the administrative burden on fee earners.

 

Why High Costs Case Plans Matter

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An HCCP is not simply a funding application.  It provides the Legal Aid Agency with a detailed forecast of the anticipated work required throughout the life of the case and forms the basis upon which funding decisions are made.

A carefully prepared HCCP should:

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• Reflect the complexity of the case.

• Justify anticipated work.

• Support expert evidence.

• Explain future case progression.

• Provide realistic funding assumptions.

• Anticipate likely questions from the Legal Aid Agency.

 

Poorly prepared plans often result in unnecessary delays, requests for further information or reductions in approved funding.

 

Why High Costs Case Plans Are Frequently Queried

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The Legal Aid Agency may challenge an HCCP where:

• Assumptions are unclear.

• Future work is inadequately explained.

• Expert evidence is insufficiently justified.

• Conferences or travel lack supporting rationale.

• Exceptional complexity has not been demonstrated.

• The proposed phases do not reflect the anticipated progression of the case.

 

Preparing the plan strategically from the outset helps minimise avoidable queries and reduces the likelihood of repeated revisions.

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Why Firms Outsource Their HCCPs

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Preparing High Costs Case Plans can be extremely time-consuming.

Many firms choose to outsource HCCPs so their solicitors can concentrate on progressing the underlying litigation while experienced costs specialists prepare the funding documentation.

Outsourcing also provides:

• Greater consistency.

• Reduced fee earner administration.

• Clearer justification of complex work.

• Better preparation for future amendments.

• Improved alignment with later costs recovery.

• Practical support throughout the funding process.

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How SPH Costs Supports Your Firm

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We regularly assist with:

• Drafting new High Costs Case Plans.

• Reviewing and revising existing HCCPs.

• Preparing amendments as cases develop.

• Structuring phases and assumptions.

• Justifying expert evidence and complex work.

• Responding to Legal Aid Agency queries.

• Aligning HCCPs with future billing and assessment.

 

Our aim is to produce clear, well-supported plans that accurately reflect the work required throughout the life of the case.

 

Preparing HCCPs with Future Recovery in Mind

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Although an HCCP is prepared at an early stage of proceedings, it often influences how work is later scrutinised.

Clear assumptions, realistic case planning and consistent documentation help maintain continuity between:

• Funding approval.

• Case progression.

• CCMS claims.

• Final Legal Aid assessment.

 

Preparing the HCCP with the end of the case in mind helps avoid unnecessary inconsistencies later in the costs process.

 

HCCPs as Part of the Wider Legal Aid Costs Process

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High Costs Case Plans form one part of a wider Legal Aid costs strategy. SPH Costs also provides specialist support with:

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• Legal Aid Billing Services

• CCMS Costs Drafting and Claims

• Legal Aid Costs Draftsman Services

• Escape Fee Claims

 

By considering funding, billing and assessment together, we help firms manage Legal Aid costs more effectively throughout the life of the case

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Frequently Asked Questions

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When is an HCCP required?

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A High Costs Case Plan is generally required where anticipated Legal Aid costs exceed standard funding limits or where the case is sufficiently complex to require High Cost Case management.

 

Can an HCCP be amended?

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Yes. As litigation develops, additional work, expert evidence or changes in the scope of proceedings may require amendments to the approved plan. Preparing amendments promptly helps maintain appropriate funding throughout the case.

 

Why are HCCPs often reduced?

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The most common reasons include:

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• Insufficient justification.

• Unrealistic assumptions.

• Poor explanation of expert evidence.

• Lack of supporting information.

• Underdeveloped case planning.

Strategic preparation significantly reduces the likelihood of avoidable reductions.

 

Why Choose SPH Costs?

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SPH Costs is recognised for its specialist expertise in Legal Aid costs. Our team regularly assists firms across England & Wales with High Costs Case Plans, CCMS claims, Legal Aid billing and costs recovery.

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Clients instruct us because we provide:

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• Specialist Legal Aid costs expertise.

• Practical support for complex cases.

• Clear and well-structured HCCPs.

• Responsive assistance with amendments.

• Ongoing support throughout the Legal Aid costs process.

 

Our focus is on helping firms secure appropriate funding while reducing the administrative burden on busy fee earners.

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Need Help Preparing a High Costs Case Plan?

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Whether you are preparing your first High Costs Case Plan, revising an existing HCCP or responding to Legal Aid Agency queries, SPH Costs can help. Our experienced Legal Aid costs team supports solicitors throughout England & Wales with professionally prepared High Costs Case Plans designed to reflect the true scope and complexity of each case.

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Telephone: 01772 435550

Email: egb@sphcosts.com

 

Common Legal Aid Costs Problems

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Legal Aid practitioners frequently encounter issues including:

• High Costs Case Plans.

• CCMS claim rejections.

• Escape Fee assessments.

• Prior Authority queries.

• Payment delays.

• Assessment reductions.

• Legal Aid Agency requests for further information.

 

For additional practical guidance, visit our Common Costs Problems page.

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