Guideline Hourly Rates – Table and Practical Guide for Costs Assessment

Guideline Hourly Rates (GHR) are benchmark figures used by courts in England & Wales when assessing the reasonableness of solicitors’ hourly rates during detailed assessment of costs. Although the guideline figures do not create an automatic entitlement to those rates, they remain the starting point used by judges when determining whether the hourly rates claimed in a bill of costs are reasonable.

The rates are grouped according to geographical location and the experience level of the fee earner.

For the most recent figures and analysis see our guide to the 2026 Guideline Hourly Rates.

Guideline Hourly Rates Table

The guideline rates are organised by location band and fee earner grade.

Fee Earner Grades:

Grade	Description
Grade A	Solicitors and legal executives with over 8 years’ experience
Grade B	Solicitors and legal executives with 4–8 years’ experience
Grade C	Solicitors and legal executives with up to 4 years’ experience
Grade D	Trainees, paralegals and other fee earners

Example Guideline Hourly Rates

Grade	London 1	London 2	London 3	National 1	National 2
A	£566	£432	£331	£321	£261
B	£377	£296	£244	£244	£218
C	£296	£226	£196	£196	£178
D	£191	£161	£150	£150	£126

These figures represent the benchmark used by courts when assessing whether the hourly rates claimed in a bill of costs are reasonable.

How Courts Apply Guideline Hourly Rates

The guideline figures are not fixed limits. Courts will consider several factors when determining the hourly rate allowed on assessment.

These include:

• complexity of the litigation

• experience and expertise of the fee earner

• value and importance of the claim

• efficiency and delegation between fee earners• proportionality of the overall costs

Even where the claimed rate falls within the guideline figures, the court may still reduce the rate if the work undertaken does not justify the level of seniority claimed.

When Courts Allow Rates Above Guideline Figures

Courts may allow rates higher than the guideline figures where there is evidence that the case justified higher charging rates. This may arise where:

• the litigation involves specialist or complex issues• the work required sustained partner involvement

• urgent or demanding litigation required senior input

• the claim involved particularly high value or importance

However, the court expects evidence supporting any departure from the guideline figures.

Challenging Hourly Rates at Detailed Assessment

Hourly rates are one of the most frequently contested issues in detailed assessment proceedings. Paying parties often challenge:

• rates above guideline levels• incorrect fee earner grades

• senior time spent on routine work• duplication between fee earners

• lack of proper delegation

Effective challenges usually link hourly rates to wider issues of reasonableness, necessity and proportionality. For guidance on how these disputes arise see:

Paying Party Detailed Assessment Strategy.

Why Guideline Hourly Rates Matter

Understanding GHR is important because the figures affect:

• exposure modelling in litigation

• negotiation strategy between parties

• drafting of Points of Dispute

• settlement decisions

• the outcome of detailed assessment proceedings

Where hourly rates are significantly above the guideline figures, paying parties frequently instruct specialist costs lawyers to challenge the recoverability of those rates.

Further Guidance on Hourly Rates

For the latest figures and analysis see our detailed guide:

Guideline Hourly Rates 2026

You may also find the following guidance helpful:

Intermediate Track Fixed Recoverable Costs

Intermediate Track Costs Tables

Points of Dispute for Paying Parties

Key Points

• Guideline Hourly Rates provide a benchmark used during detailed assessment.

• They are guidance rather than an entitlement.

• Courts assess hourly rates by reference to complexity, delegation and proportionality.

• Strong challenges focus on grade, delegation and necessity of the work undertaken.