Costs Budgets/CMC

Costs Budgets/CMC

How can we help?

  • Preparation of Costs Budgets
  • A “comfort check” for Budgets you prepare
  • Advice and analysis upon exchange of Budgets
  • Attempting to agree the Budget on your behalf
  • Preparation of Skeleton Arguments for Costs Case Management Conferences
  • Advocacy at Costs Case Management Conferences

Costs Management is an important part of Case Management. It is absolutely vital that Costs Budgets are prepared with care and attention, ensuring the costs associated with every phase of the proceedings have been properly accounted for. The Court will not depart from an approved or agreed budget unless satisfied that there is good reason to do so. Revisions will only be considered if there are significant developments which have occurred after the Budget was approved or agreed.

We have prepared numerous Budgets for different types of litigation. Our experience has helped our clients with both plotting the anticipated route of the litigation and calculating the anticipated costs. We produce thorough supporting documents explaining exactly how the Budget has been calculated and what has been taken into account.

We are also instructed to perform “comfort checks” for clients that have prepared their own Budgets and want a fresh pair of eyes to ensure that the form has been properly prepared and that it covers every angle.

We are frequently instructed to advice on the respective Budgets once they have been exchanged. That often leads on to engaging in discussions on behalf of our client with a view to agreeing the Budgets or narrowing the issues. In the absence of an agreement, we are also able to prepare Skeleton Arguments which both defend and/or object to the Budgets.

We have represented our clients at a number of Case and Costs Management Conferences. Sometimes this is in the knowledge that the Budget is fiercely contested, but on other occasions our clients simply want the comfort of having a Costs Lawyer present to support the Solicitor or Counsel when the issue of Costs Budgets is addressed, particularly where the costs are substantial and there are complex issues.

We are here to support you through Costs Management providing as much or as little assistance as you require.