Specialist Costs Lawyers acting for paying and receiving parties including Solicitors, Insurers and Local Authorities. We reduce inflated bills, control costs exposure and maximise recovery at detailed assessment.
Urgent deadline? Speak directly to a Costs Specialist today.
Costs Lawyers & Law Costs Draftsmen
Costs Lawyers and Costs Draftsmen in England & Wales
We act for solicitors, insurers and public bodies across England & Wales in challenging bills of costs, drafting Points of Dispute and maximising recovery at detailed assessment. Whether acting for paying or receiving parties, we provide specialist costs advice where recoverability is disputed, exposure is high, or detailed assessment is likely.
Need to challenge a bill of costs? Send us the bill or speak to a specialist today.
Our Core Costs Services
We provide specialist legal costs support across the key stages of costs disputes, drafting and assessment.
Challenge a Bill of Costs
Reduce exposure through structured Points of Dispute and detailed assessment strategy
Draft Points of Dispute
Targeted challenges addressing hourly rates, delegation, duplication and proportionality
Prepare a Bill of Costs
Prepare compliant bills designed to maximise recovery and withstand challenge at detailed assessment
Legal Aid Claims - CCMS
Specialist drafting, assessment and advice under the Legal Aid Agency frameworks
Court of Protection Costs
Specialist bill drafting, assessment and advice under the SCCO & OPG frameworks
→ Prepare a Court of Protection Bill.
Specialist Costs Lawyers Acting Nationwide
SPH Costs provides specialist support from experienced costs lawyers and law costs draftsmen to solicitors across England & Wales.
We assist with:
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detailed assessment proceedings
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preparation and challenge of bills of costs
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costs budgeting and strategy
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Points of Dispute and replies
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Legal Aid and CCMS claims
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Court of Protection costs
Costs work is a specialist discipline governed by the Civil Procedure Rules and subject to close judicial scrutiny. Mistakes in costs drafting, budgeting or assessment strategy frequently result in significant and irreversible reductions, regardless of the outcome of the underlying case.
What Does a Costs Lawyer Do?
A Costs Lawyer is a specialist legal professional focused exclusively on the law and procedure governing legal costs in civil litigation.
In practice, Costs Lawyers advise on:
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recoverability and proportionality of costs
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preparation and assessment of bills of costs
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costs budgeting under CPR Part 3
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detailed assessment proceedings
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strategy in contested costs disputes
Their role becomes critical where costs are likely to be challenged or scrutinised by the court. Judges expect costs work to be handled by specialists who understand both the procedural rules and how they are applied in practice.
Costs Lawyer vs Law Costs Draftsman
The roles of Costs Lawyers and Law Costs Draftsmen overlap, but the distinction becomes important in complex or contested matters.
A Law Costs Draftsman typically focuses on:
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preparing bills of costs
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drafting Points of Dispute and replies
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negotiating costs
A Costs Lawyer provides:
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strategic advice on complex disputes
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proportionality and recoverability analysis
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advocacy and representation in assessment proceedings
In straightforward matters, drafting work alone may be sufficient. However, where disputes escalate or involve higher value or complexity, specialist legal input is often decisive.
See our full guide to Costs Lawyer vs Law Costs Draftsman
When Should Solicitors Instruct a Costs Specialist?
Specialist costs input is typically required where costs are:
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likely to be disputed
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subject to detailed assessment
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high value or complex
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exposed to proportionality challenges
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procedurally sensitive
Common scenarios include:
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drafting or challenging a bill of costs
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preparing Points of Dispute or replies
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costs budgeting under CPR Part 3
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Legal Aid and CCMS claims
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Court of Protection costs
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high-value or contested litigation
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Early involvement often reduces overall exposure by avoiding procedural errors, unrealistic positions and unnecessary disputes.
Need help with a costs dispute? Speak to a specialist.
How Legal Costs Are Assessed
Legal costs in England & Wales are assessed under the Civil Procedure Rules, primarily through detailed assessment proceedings.
This involves:
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service of a bill of costs
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Points of Dispute and replies
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negotiation between parties
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determination by a costs judge if required
Courts assess:
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reasonableness
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proportionality
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necessity of work undertaken
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appropriateness of fee earner and rates
Even where individual items appear reasonable, overall costs may be reduced if considered disproportionate to the issues in dispute.
For practical guidance, see our Guide to Guideline Hourly Rates.
See Intermediate Track Costs Tables.
Why Specialist Costs Expertise Matters
Costs issues frequently determine the financial outcome of litigation. Poorly prepared bills, unrealistic budgets or unfocused challenges often result in significant reductions on assessment.
Specialist costs expertise ensures:
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procedural compliance
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realistic and defensible positions
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focused and effective challenges
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alignment with judicial expectations
Ultimately, it reduces risk and improves recoverability.
Instruct Specialist Costs Lawyers
Costs disputes are rarely resolved on information alone. Strategy, timing and presentation all affect the outcome.
Whether you are:
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challenging a bill of costs
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drafting Points of Dispute
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preparing a bill
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managing costs exposure
Speak to a specialist costs lawyer today.
Call us / Email us / Send us your bill for an initial view
Frequently Asked Questions on Legal Costs
How does proportionality affect costs recovery?
Proportionality is a key consideration on standard basis assessment. Even where individual items of work are reasonable, the court may reduce overall costs if they are considered disproportionate to the matters in issue. Proportionality is assessed by reference to factors such as the value, complexity, and importance of the case, and it plays a significant role in both budgeting and assessment.
Can costs be challenged after settlement?
Yes. Settlement of the substantive dispute does not necessarily resolve issues relating to costs. Where costs are not agreed, they may still be subject to assessment in accordance with the applicable order or agreement. The scope and basis of any assessment will depend on the terms of settlement and the relevant procedural rules.
Why are costs frequently reduced on assessment?
Costs are commonly reduced due to issues such as inadequate explanation of work undertaken, unrealistic time claims, poor compliance with procedural requirements, or a lack of proportionality. Courts expect costs documents to demonstrate a clear and reasoned approach, and they have limited tolerance for generic or formulaic presentations. Disputes concerning hourly rates are common during detailed assessment, particularly where the rates claimed exceed the current Guideline Hourly Rates 2026 used by the courts as a benchmark for assessing reasonableness.
Can specialist costs input reduce overall costs exposure?
In many cases, yes. Early specialist advice can help avoid procedural errors, unrealistic budgeting, and unfocused disputes, all of which can increase costs exposure. Effective costs strategy often reduces the duration and intensity of disputes and improves the likelihood of achieving a realistic and defensible outcome.
Do you act for paying parties as well as receiving parties?
Yes. We regularly advise and act for both paying and receiving parties in inter partes costs disputes, including detailed assessment, negotiation and strategic costs advice. We regularly advise on matters where the distinction between costs lawyers and law costs draftsmen is relevant to the issues in dispute.
Are your Costs Lawyers regulated?
Yes. Our Costs Lawyers are regulated by the Costs Lawyers Standards Board, ensuring professional compliance, accountability and specialist expertise.
Do you deal with Court of Protection and Legal Aid costs?
Yes. We provide specialist support in Court of Protection costs, including General Management Costs across England & Wales. We also provide specialist legal aid costs drafting, including CCMS claims, high cost case plans and assessment issues.
Do I need a Costs Lawyer or a Law Costs Draftsman?
The appropriate level of specialist support depends on the nature and risk of the costs issue. Routine drafting and negotiation may be handled effectively by a Law Costs Draftsman, whereas complex, high-value, or heavily contested matters, particularly those involving advocacy, proportionality disputes, or novel procedural issues, often require the involvement of a Costs Lawyer. Understanding when that distinction matters is key to managing costs risk.
What is a detailed assessment of costs?
A detailed assessment is the court process by which disputed costs are examined and determined in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules. It involves the preparation of a bill of costs, the exchange of points of dispute and replies, and, where agreement cannot be reached, a hearing before a costs judge. The court will assess whether costs were reasonably incurred and reasonable in amount, applying the relevant basis of assessment.
When should costs be budgeted?
In cases subject to costs management, budgets are typically required early in the proceedings in accordance with CPR Part 3. Effective budgeting requires careful consideration of assumptions, contingencies, and proportionality. Decisions made at the budgeting stage can have a lasting impact on recoverability later in the case, making early specialist input advisable in many matters.
Costs Guides:
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