Costs Round Up: All Change
All change!
So, the new format bill of costs is coming with the voluntary pilot scheme now extended for another year. The revised practice direction 51L – in force from 3 October in the 86th update to the CPR – said the voluntary pilot has been extended for a further year and changes made “with a view to establishing a mandatory form of bill of costs to apply to all work done after 1 October 2017”.
The Civil Procedure Rule Committee is to monitor and review the pilot scheme and aims to fix the mandatory form of the new bill of costs at its meeting in May 2017. The committee has previously uncoupled the new format bill of costs from the mandatory use of J-codes.
IPT increase
Just a quick reminder that Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) has increased from 9.5% to 10% as of 1st October 2016.
Lee Coulthard (costs expert) explains:
“Like the last increase, insurers who operate a special accounting scheme can continue to account for IPT at 9.5% provided that the premium is taken out before 1 October 2016 and payment is received by 1 February 2017. After 2017 all premiums will be at 10% regardless of the insurer’s accounting system.” Contact Lee here for further advice
“The Devil is In the Detail”
Precedent H was also amended in the 86th CPR update effective 3rd October although with rather less impact. Great slightly “tongue in cheek” piece from Victoria Square Chambers taking a closer look at detail against the bigger picture. They have a point.
What’s happening with CPD?
Here’s a helpful video from training partners Kinch Robinson explaining the change to CPD points
Company News
It’s been a very busy week. At the time of writing we will be with the LAPG in Leeds renewing contacts, sharing knowledge and talking to legal aid practitioners from across the UK. We hope to see you there but if you can’t make it on the day why not take a look at the new online training course ‘Legal Aid Costs: Getting it Right’ created by David Smith (Head of Legal Aid Training) to guide you through the maze of legal aid costs and designed to allow you to boost your skills and learning in your own time. Christopher McClure and his team in Manchester are also currently promoting a new seminar looking at costs recovery in legal aid cases including a detailed look at the process required when an inter partes costs order is made in your favour. Find out more information here. Please book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited.
Until next week.
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