Strategic legal costs representation with 30+ years' combined experience
Specialists in paying party costs, Points of Dispute, detailed assessment and complex legal costs litigation
SPH Costs - Legal Costs Lawyers & Law Costs Draftsmen
We also advise on legally aided costs (CCMS), Court of Protection matters and high-value multi-track bills.
Receiving Party Costs Lawyers (England & Wales)
This page focuses on receiving party work in between the parties costs disputes, including preparation of bills of costs and replies. Where solicitors are defending a bill of costs, see our guide to paying party strategy at detailed assessment. We act for receiving parties in maximising costs recovery, drafting bills of costs, preparing replies, and supporting negotiation and detailed assessment. Our focus is on presenting evidence-based claims aligned with proportionality, delegation, and procedural compliance. These services relate to legal costs disputes governed by the Civil Procedure Rules in England & Wales.
For our services acting for paying parties please click here.
What We Do for Receiving Parties
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Drafting and serving bills of costs
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Replies to Points of Dispute
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Budget compliance and recovery strategy
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Negotiation and settlement support
What Are Between the Parties (Inter Partes) Costs?
Between the parties costs arise where one litigant seeks to recover costs from another following judgment, settlement, or a costs order made during proceedings. Such costs are usually subject to detailed assessment, where the court considers whether the costs were reasonably incurred and reasonable in amount.
Maximising Recovery at Detailed Assessment
Successful recovery depends on how the bill is structured, how work is justified, and whether the claim aligns with proportionality, the approved budget, and the actual requirements of the litigation. Evidence-based presentation of hourly rates, delegation, and complexity is essential to resist reductions.
Guideline Hourly Rates and Budget Compliance
Receiving parties must demonstrate that the hourly rates claimed are justified by the nature and complexity of the case. This includes proper use of delegation and alignment with the Guideline Hourly Rates. Where costs budgets apply, recovery is influenced by compliance with approved phases and explanations for any variance.
Negotiation and Settlement Strategy
Most costs disputes are resolved through negotiation following service of the bill, Points of Dispute, and Replies. Clear justification of work undertaken, supported by proportionality and necessity, improves recovery and narrows the issues in dispute before assessment.
Responding to Paying Party Challenges
Receiving parties frequently face challenges to hourly rates, grade of fee earner, duplication, and scope of work. Effective Replies address these points with reference to the procedural history, complexity of the litigation, and the evidence supporting the work undertaken.
Issues of conduct and indemnity costs may also arise and must be addressed in line with recoverability principles
National Receiving Party Work
We act for receiving parties across England & Wales in preparing bills of costs, drafting Replies, and supporting recovery at detailed assessment in both standard and complex litigation.
Summary
Between the parties costs disputes are a core feature of civil litigation. While the governing principles are well established, recovery depends on how the costs are presented, justified, and defended in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules and the court’s approach to proportionality.