Money ยท legal costs
Legal costs barristers, instructed directly.
Disputes about legal costs can be substantial in their own right. A barrister can advise on costs and represent you at assessment.
At a glance
Costs recovery
Recovering or reducing costs after a case.
Solicitor's bills
Challenging your own solicitor's charges.
Assessment
Representation at detailed assessment hearings.
Legal costs are often a dispute in themselves, between opposing parties after a case, or between a client and their own solicitor. A barrister can advise on costs recovery, detailed assessment, costs budgeting, and challenges to a solicitor's bill.
A barrister will assess the bill or budget, the points that can be taken, and the realistic outcome, and represent you at a costs hearing. Through Direct Access you can instruct a barrister directly, without going through a solicitor first.
Barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
Through Direct Access you can instruct a legal costs barrister directly, without going through a solicitor first. Barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
When to bring in a barrister
You have received a large bill from your own solicitor
The other side's costs claim looks excessive
You need help with a detailed assessment
Azeem Ali
Azeem Ali is a specialist in Personal Injury (including RTA claims), Credit Hire, Consumer Credit and Contract work. He is based in Manchester with a...
Barnaby Hope
Barnaby Hope is a barrister specialising in legal costs, professional negligence and commercial disputes. Called in 2011 after four years as an...
Duncan Kynoch
Duncan is a commercial chancery practitioner. His work ranges across the full spectrum of property and company/commercial and disputes including;...
Farhan Asghar
Farhan Asghar is a barrister specialising in legal costs alongside a wide property, wills, probate and trusts practice, often involving foreign...
Jala Patang
Jala is a leading barrister in family law and her busy practice includes a wide variety of cases, including allegations of domestic violence, coercion...
Meg Cochrane
Meg is a commercial and civil disputes barrister acting for directors, shareholders and companies in commercial, contract and consumer disputes,...
Frequently asked questions
Can a barrister advise on a costs dispute directly?
Yes. Through Direct Access a barrister can advise you and represent you at a costs assessment, without going through a solicitor first.
Can I challenge my own solicitor's bill?
Often yes. A barrister can advise on the process for assessing a solicitor and client bill and whether it can be reduced.
What does it cost?
Barristers often agree a fixed fee for advice on costs. There is no charge to enquire.
Related areas of law
Speak to a legal costs barrister
Tell us about your matter. There is no charge to enquire.