FOREST COSTING SERVICE LTD

We would recommend that all fee earners consider the judgment in the case of Reynolds v Stone Rowe Brewer (http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2008/497.html)
This case highlights the potential pitfalls of not providing a clear and accurate costs estimate to the client. Forest Costing Service has recently been involved in a number of assessments under Solicitors Act 1974 where the [...]

Our Mr Fisher recently negotiated and recovered costs on behalf of his client in the sum of £500,000 plus approximately £40,000 for statutory interest. The claim had been funded by way of legal aid.
Forest Costing Service are regularly instructed by Claimant firms in high cost catastrophic injury claims given our substantial experience and excellent record [...]

Our Mr Fisher recently pursuaded a local District Judge to strike out a dispute which did not comply with Practice Direction 35 supplementing CPR Rule 47.9.
It is not uncommon for Defendant ‘costs negotiators’ to simply raise broad-brush ‘cut and paste’ disputes which do not state concisely the nature and grounds for the dispute, contrary to the [...]

December was an important milestone for Forest Costing Service as it celebrated 15 years of trading. We would like to thank all of our clients, old and new, for their loyal support over the last 15 years.
Managing Director, James Fisher, commented that the company had enjoyed 15 years of success and growth notwithstanding the sad [...]

In December Forest Costing Service Ltd was involved in a successful appeal against an order made in Wolverhampton County Court for disclosure of a Collective Conditional Fee Agreement. The Appeal Judge agreed that the document was commercially sensitive and that there was no need for the Deputy District Judge to look beyond the certificates on the [...]

Following the revocation of the CFA Regulations in November 2005 paying parties are becoming increasingly inventive in finding ways to challenge the enforceability of retainers. One such potential challenge arises from an unlikely source – The Cancellation of Contracts Made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/1816) which came [...]

From 6th August 2009 remuneration certificates have been abolished. These are important changes and Solicitors will need to take action. The following link takes you to the Law Society’s information about the changes.
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/productsandservices/practicenotes/remunerationorder/3331.article

Are funding costs recoverable on an inter partes basis? This has been an issue which has divided the costing profession for a long time.
Prior to the CPR, there was always a presumption that legal aid only costs were not recoverable between the parties. This was confirmed in the case of Hunt v Douglas Roofing. However, [...]

Pursuant to the Civil Procedure Rules, parties are obliged to serve costs estimates at allocation stage and listing stage. This applies to both fast track and multi track proceedings.
 
It has not been unusual for fee earners in past years to simply provide a very basic figure for the purpose of this exercise, very often [...]

Our Mr Fisher successfully persuaded a local District Judge that the  Wolverhampton guideline rates should apply, notwithstanding the fact that the Claimant’s Solicitors were based in Ipswich. The Claimant and Defendant both lived in Wolverhampton. The RTA occured in Wolverhampton. In the circumstances Mr Fisher relied upon the decision in Wraith v Sheffield Forgemasters. The [...]