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
Legal Aid Costs Drafting, CCMS & Assessment Support
Specialist Legal Aid Costs Support for Solicitors
Legal Aid costs are governed by a separate and highly technical framework, with detailed rules on scope, remuneration, assessment, and recovery. Errors in Legal Aid billing, CCMS submissions, or assessment preparation routinely lead to delayed payment, reduced recovery, or outright rejection of claims.
SPH Costs provides specialist Legal Aid costs drafting and assessment support to solicitors across England & Wales. We act exclusively for solicitors and firms, assisting with the preparation, submission, correction, and defence of Legal Aid costs claims in complex and high-value cases.
Legal Aid Costs Are Not Routine Billing
Legal Aid costs work is frequently underestimated. It is not an administrative process and cannot be approached in the same way as private inter partes costs.
-
Incorrect or incomplete CCMS submissions
-
Failure to justify escape fee claims
-
Misapplication of hourly rates or enhancement
-
Inadequate preparation for assessment
-
Poor linkage between scope, evidence, and remuneration
Once a Legal Aid bill has been rejected or significantly reduced, opportunities to recover the full entitlement are often limited or lost entirely.
Early specialist involvement is critical.
Our Legal Aid Costs Expertise
We regularly assist solicitors with the full lifecycle of Legal Aid costs work.
Legal Aid CCMS Claims
-
Preparation and submission of CCMS bills
-
Correct classification of work and scope
-
Amendments and resubmissions following rejection
-
High Cost Case Plan (HCCP) support where applicable
-
Preparation of bills for assessment
-
Advice on recoverability and proportionality
-
Responding to reductions and assessment queries
-
Strategic support during assessment proceedings
Escape Fee & Exceptional Claims
-
Advice on escape fee eligibility
-
Structuring claims to maximise recovery
-
Supporting evidence and justification
-
Appeals and challenges where appropriate
Legal Aid Cost Appeals & Disputes
-
Advice following substantial reductions
-
Re-working defective or rejected claims
-
Liaison with the Legal Aid Agency where required
-
Support with disputed or delayed payments
Practice Areas Commonly Supported
We regularly assist with Legal Aid costs arising from:
-
Family law proceedings
-
Public law children and care cases
-
Court of Protection matters
-
Mental health and community care cases
-
Complex or extended Legal Aid litigation
Our experience allows us to anticipate assessment issues and address them before they become costly problems.
How We Work With Solicitors
SPH Costs does not act for clients or members of the public. We are instructed directly by solicitors and law firms to provide specialist costs support.
Our work is:
-
Conducted nationally
-
Handled electronically
-
Integrated with your existing file management
-
Focused on maximising compliant recovery
We operate as an extension of your team, providing practical and strategic advice grounded in assessment reality.
Why Instruct SPH Costs for Legal Aid Work
Solicitors instruct us because:
-
Legal Aid costs errors are expensive
-
CCMS rejections disrupt cashflow
-
Assessments require specialist preparation
-
In-house resources are often under pressure
Our role is to protect your firm’s entitlement to payment while ensuring full compliance with Legal Aid rules and assessment practice. Solicitors requiring practical assistance with legally aided costs can find details of our Legal Aid services here.
When to Involve a Specialist
If you require assistance with Legal Aid costs drafting, CCMS claims, or assessment strategy, SPH Costs can help.
We provide clear, practical advice tailored to your firm’s needs and the realities of Legal Aid assessment.
Contact us to discuss your Legal Aid costs matter.