Welcome to another round up of the weekly legal costs news from across the UK
We start with two prominent cases in what has been a quiet news week.
High End Cost Budgeting
In Signia Wealth Ltd v Marlborough Trust Company Ltd and Another [2016] EWHC 2141 (Ch) Chief Master Marsh sitting in the Chancery Division of the High Court ordered the matter (with a combined value of £13m) remain within costs management in a ruling with some useful observations on high end cost budgeting. Kerry Underwood shares more here.
Assignment of CFAs
In Azim -v- Tradwise Insurance Services Limited [2016] EWHC B20 (Costs) Master Leonard found that a conditional fee agreement could properly be assigned. In “Another Round in the CFA assignment battle”, Gordon Exall shares more detail including his observations and commentary on the case.
For more information on the assignment of CFAs and key case law, we recommend you read this short series of articles “Seconds Out, Round Two” by Manchester Office Regional Manager Chris McClure and take a look at too at this article: the benefit and the burden on Jones v Spire Health Care (amongst others) by Sian Brookes, solicitor liaison officer at Allianz Legal Protection who reports from a different perspective.
Watching Brief
These summer months may provide a lull in proceedings but truth is, the PI market is tough at the moment. It was government led initiatives(through LASPO in April 2013) that prompted the move to assign CFAs as smaller providers turned away from the market, keen to find newer more lucrative business away from fixed costs. The view from our friends in Australia is that the market is likely to get tougher with Shine Corporate an “Australia-listed pioneer” that rivals Slater Gordon declining to invest in market opportunities, preferring instead to maintain a discrete “watching brief.”
Keep the Faith
We say keep the faith – something has got to give!
Take this report on the 600% rise in civil court fees that has seen small businesses being priced out of courts – is this justice?
Or this explosive article by “the legal chap” on smoke and mirrors within the insurance industry keen to maintain profits at all costs – is this fair?
And what do we actually want: a society of watching briefs or a society of action?
Fabulous
This week’s award for the best use of fabulous language goes to Munby J who, ruling in Re A (A Patient) In the matter of applications by and against Desmond Maurice Fitzgerald [2016] EWCOP 38 dismissed the case (brought by a Litigant in Person Frances Hughes, a partner at Hughes Fowler Carruthers) as a “farrago of nonsense” before ordering the LIP to pay costs of approximately £92,000. Read more here.
Company News
Back home, the Company is having a strong August as we settle into the start of the new season. We are enjoying collating and sharing case studies and testimonials from those we have worked with over our 30+ years in the industry and we look forward to working with you soon!
Enjoy the bank holiday weekend and until next week….