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Ranked in Chambers Litigation Support Guide for ninth consecutive year
CILEX Wins Mazur Appeal: Court of Appeal Clarifies Delegation in Litigation
Harman GJK shortlisted for Costs Team of the Year at the LexisNexis Legal Awards
Women in Costs 2026
We’re hiring – join Harman GJK!
Merry Christmas from Harman GJK!
Harman GJK ranked in the UK Legal 500 Solicitors Guide 2026
Sara Gould speaking at ACL London Conference
Former Charles Russell Speechlys clients succeed in overturning £10,000 costs order
CAT highlights vital role of Costs specialists in Class Actions
Harman GJK ranked in the Chambers and Partners Litigation Support Guide 2025
Proportionality in Legal Costs: Ongoing Challenges
A valuable insight into the costs budgeting process
Sara Gould highly commended in Costs Lawyer of the Year at Modern Law Awards 2025
Claimant penalised for excessive and unrealistic costs budget
A timely reminder of the requirements of any challenge to the provisional assessment
The importance of carefully considered Part 36 offers and the benefits of the same
Instruction of Leading Counsel in mesothelioma claim
Costs budgets
Harmans are hiring!
Matthew Harman named in top 10 most influential Costs Lawyers across UK in 2023
Harmans Costs Brief – November 2023
Guideline Hourly Rates: Latest Update
Application to Vary an Approved Costs Budget
Part 36 offers
Meet the Team – Matthew Harman
Meet the Team – Mathew Knight
Meet the Team – Steve Jones
Meet the Team – Sara Gould
Matthew Harman on budget misconceptions
Sara Gould on costs recovery
Matthew Harman on proportionality
For whom the Belsner tolls…do not let it toll for you
Broad brush budgeting
Sara Gould on amending a costs budget
Steve Jones on time recording
The Costs Judge delivers…
Matthew Harman on costs budgets
Harmans talk costs
When costs of the costs, cost!
Be careful when preparing your CFA agreement – mistakes can be costly!
Beware the cost of “inadequate oversight”
NHS Trust Loses Costs Dispute Over Solicitors’ Role
Autumn Update: Cost Law Highlights
Harmans are expanding
Harmans Costs Brief – May 2021
Harmans Costs Brief – March 2021
Matthew Harman talks costs
Harmans Costs Brief – November 2020
Autumn Update: Legal Costs Developments
Harmans Costs Brief – Q&As
Costs Q&As
Chambers & Partners 2020 – Litigation Support Guide
The cap on recoverable costs of costs budgeting excludes VAT
R v Shinners rates
Online costs clinic – July 27 2020
Harmans Costs Brief – July 2020
DX closure
MEF v St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust – judgment handed down
BAILII Citation Number: [2020] EWHC B18 (Costs)
COVID-19: our contingency plans
March/April 2020 – CPR changes
March/April 2020 – Practice Direction updates
Important notice
Harmans are hiring
Harmans Costs Brief – December 2019
Costs budgeting decisions – impact on recovery of costs
Precedent H guidance notes updated
Harmans Costs Brief – October 2019
Case law update – September 2019
Harmans Costs Brief – July 2019
The Role of Specialist Costs Counsel in Judgments
Recovery of mediation costs
Lord Chancellor announces new discount rate for personal injury claims
London Legal Walk – 17 June 2019
Harmans Costs Brief – June 2019
MXX – Costs of the Costs Management Process disallowed
Harmans Costs Brief – March 2019
Legal costs update by Gary Knight
Voluntary Capped Costs Pilot: Fee Breakdown
Harmans Costs Brief – December 2018
Specialist Costs Expertise in Defamation Claims
Successful costs management order appeal
Court of Appeal: Statute bills do not have to include profit costs and disbursements
Harmans are moving!
Harmans Costs Brief – October 2018: clinical negligence focus
Part 8 Application Fees: Avoid Common Court Errors
Matthew Harman discusses hourly rates in clinical negligence cases
Pound for Pound Orders: LKH -v- TQA AL Z [2018] EWHC 2436 (Fam)
Electronic bills sparked fear
Harmans Costs Brief – September 2018: asbestos focus
Queen’s Bench Division Guide: 2018 edition
Deadline tomorrow 24 August for submissions for LASPO Part 2 government review
18 law firms report hacking attempts in the past 2 years
Hourly rates in mesothelioma cases
London Legal Walk – 21 May 2018
No “good reasons” to depart from budget – Part 2
Hourly Rate Reductions: Incurred vs Budgeted Costs
A litigant in person must comply with the CPR – Barton (Appellant) v Wright Hassall
LOWIN v W PORTSMOUTH & CO LTD (2016) Neutral Citation Number: [2017] EWCA Civ 2172
Court of Protection Rules 2017
MPs blame ‘defensive’ NHS culture for spiralling claims costs
Budana v Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust: Costs Appeal
Court of Appeal finding of fundamental dishonesty
Proportionality – still no further forward
Harmans Costs Brief – November 2017
Breaking down barriers
It is essential for solicitors to provide accurate estimates to their clients during proceedings
Increased costs budget approved at trial
BNM -v- MGN Limited
Sanction for non-payment of the trial fee by the Claimant = Automatic Strike Out
Security for Costs Applications and ATE funding
R (on the application of UNISON) v Lord Chancellor [2017] UKSC 51
Any case allocated to the Multi-Track ceases to be subject to fixed costs
Costs management – Costs Lawyer magazine July/August
Review of Civil Litigation Costs: Supplemental Report – Fixed Recoverable Costs
Supreme Court quashes Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunals Fees Order 2013
Sir Ian Burnett selected to be next Lord Chief Justice
Fixed Costs, Budgets and the Bill of Costs
Implementation of electronic bill of costs put on hold until April 2018
Court of Appeal judgment in the Harrison Costs Budgeting case
Harmans Costs Brief – June 2017
Refusal to mediate is not a bar to the recovery of costs
Reminder: The new standard rate of IPT is now 12% but…
Lord Chief Justice appoints 21 Deputy High Court Judges
London Legal Walk – 22 May 2017
J C and A Solicitors Ltd v Andeen Iqbal & Another [2017] EWCA Civ 355
Cost Budgeting: Decision on Misuse of Precedent R to play a procedural game
Harman Costs Brief – May 2017
SRA to introduce Solicitors Qualifying Examination in 2020
Probate fee increase put on hold as MoJ runs out of time
Budget fee preparation explanation
Hearing Fees – no longer refundable
CFAs and ATE Premiums
Guideline Hourly Rates: Should We Still Be Stuck in 2010?
Court of Protection costs of General Management
Late acceptance of Part 36: A lesson to be learned
Proportionality in Costs Beyond Detailed Assessment
Harmans sign up for the 13th London Legal Walk on May 22 2017
How are we doing?
Harman Costs Brief – March 2017
Keynote address by Lord Justice Jackson – 7 March 2017
Lord Chancellor announces changes to personal injury compensation payments
Legal Futures Special Report – Profit Motive: Increasing margins in challenging times
Merrix v Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust
Open consultation: Fixed recoverable costs for clinical negligence claims
Court of Appeal gives guidance on fixed costs regime
Harman Costs Brief – February 2017
Statutory Charge and Article 8 Damages
A Guide to the Small Claims Track
Court report – Gary Knight highlights some interesting recent costs cases for Litigation Funding
Briggs and 598 others v First Choice Holidays & Flights Limited
Harmans Costs Brief – January 2017
Home or Away?
Statutory Instrument increasing small claims track hearing fees from 06/03/17 and scrapping refunds
Greig v Lauchlan & Anor – Ch D 07/12/16
Sony Communications International and SSH Communications Security Corporation [2016] EWHC 2985 (Pat)
Harmans Costs Brief – December 2016
IPT to increase from 10% to 12% from 1 June 2017
Leeds DR trialling 6 month costs budget practice
Court of Protection: Costs Law Update
Harmans free costs seminar – Wednesday 23 November 2016 – The Law Society, London
Helen Briggs & 598 Ors v First Choice Holidays & Flights Ltd (2016)
New Bill of Costs and update to CPR
Harmans Costs Brief – October 2016
In what circumstances can a CFA be assigned? Mat Knight considers
Late Costs Budgets: Risks and Consequences
Congratulations to our long standing client CMS Cameron McKenna!
Lord Dyson returns to 39 Essex Chambers after retiring as Master of the Rolls
Insurance Premium Tax increased to 10%
Changes to appeals
Harmans are exhibiting at APIL clinical negligence conference 2016
Government and judiciary outline plan for future expansion of fixed costs
Harmans Costs Brief – September 2016
Court of Appeal Awards Costs in Thames Case
Matthew Harman named as speaker at Law Society commercial litigation conference on 10 October 2016
The Legal Aid Agency has terminated its contract with Public Interest Lawyers
Advance warning: there will be no Harmans courier service on 16 and 23 August 2016
Civil Courts Structure Review: Final Report
Harmans Costs Brief – Summer 2016
Non-Compliance with Court Orders After Denton
Court fee increases – in force today 25 July 2016
We’re having IT problems
Costs Judges overturned on Appeal – Gary Knight investigates
Liz Truss appointed Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor
Change of day to Harmans courier next week
Harmans have moved!
The London Legal Walk 2016 by Partner John Moss
Sir Terence Etherton to become next Master of the Rolls
Part 36 indemnity costs trumps fixed costs rules the Court of Appeal
Harmans Costs Brief – May 2016
Supreme Court allows appeal over introduction of civil legal aid residence test
Gary Knight on Litigation Funding and Costs
Harmans costs seminar resources from 5 May 2016
Harmans named Costs Company of the Year
Court of Protection plans to shift costs away from vulnerable individuals
Claimants lose QOCS protection for “fundamental dishonesty”
Harmans free costs seminar – Thursday 5 May 2016 – The Law Society, London
Divorce fee to rise £550 on 21 March 2016
Harmans Costs Brief – March 2016
Summary of 83rd amendment to CPR
83rd update to CPR from April 2016
Impact of court closures likely to impede access to justice for many
Harmans shortlisted for Costs Company of the Year at Modern Claims 2016 Awards
Harmans Costs Brief – February 2016
Fixed costs – the time is now? Gary Knight discusses below
Competition watchdog to investigate operation of legal services market
LCJ concern over litigants in person, outdated IT and unsatisfactory funding
Assignment of CFA from one firm to another
Legal Service payment orders
Faulty forms could add to divorce misery
Summary of the Civil Courts Structure Review interim report from Lord Justice Briggs
Useful blogs and websites
CPR sanctions for failure to serve funding documents with a Bill of Costs
Legal Costs Update #5: Key Developments
Harmans Costs Brief – January 2016
Recovering Costs for Multiple Firms Acting
Fast Track Costs in Multi-Claimant Cases
Suzanna Popplewell joins Harmans as Costs Lawyer
Councils require ABS status to trade reserved services beyond their local area according to the SRA
Firm wins appeal against insurer that settled its PI claims
Nuisance calls
Unbundling: the rise of litigants acting in person with Solicitors working under a limited retainer
Harmans Costs Brief – November 2015
Falling foul of proportionality by Nishma Shah
Court of Protection to pilot default position of holding hearings in public
Part 36 Offers: Old vs New Rules Explained
The application of the “new” proportionality test on an assessment of costs
The Aylesbury office has moved!
Test of Proportionality – a Commercial Court Judge’s view
Security for Costs – the appropriate test to apply
The (indemnity) cost of getting it wrong
Allegations of fraud – indemnity basis costs
Costs sanctions for refusal to mediate
The ‘Million Mask March’ in London – 5 November 2015
Barrister Whalan named newest SCCO judge
Insurance premium tax rate rise: what you can do
Relief from Sanctions Upheld by Court of Appeal
Case Management – unrepresented parties – new Rule 3.1A
Harmans Costs Brief – October 2015
Matthew Harman discusses the increase in Insurance Premium Tax (IPT)
Employment tribunal system needs overhaul – Law Society
Divorce law reform
Law Society Guidance on EU Consumer ADR
HMCTS selects KIDATU for Emergency Service
Minimum wage increase
Tax free benefits
More tax on dividends
Costs budgeting by Matthew Harman
Legal Futures Insight – Personal Injury report
Demand for free help almost doubles since cuts to legal aid
Harmans Costs Brief – September 2015
CFA subject to contract cancellation regulations, says appeal court
Insurance Premium Tax – a reminder
Should bills be split pre and post April 2013? Gary Knight discusses
Post April 2013 success fees – interesting decision & Judgment
Recorded RTA settlements fall by 60,000 in the last 12 months
Justice on the cheap?
Harmans only costs firm to be shortlisted for The Law Society’s 2015 Excellence Awards
Costs budgeting
Phased Bills of Costs for Assessment
Additional Court fee increases proposed
Coventry and others v Lawrence and another
After all the fuss the Coventry decision is here…
The proper approach to costs – a view from the Technology and Construction Court
Harmans Costs Brief – July 2015
Coventry –v- Lawrence decision to be handed down by the Supreme Court shortly
Court of Appeal: Hear-By dates Practice Guidance
The National Health Service Litigation Authority
Amending budgets by Nishma Shah
“Fat cat” myth undermines all the good work done slams Gary Knight
Summer Budget July 2015
County Court portal case leapfrogged to the Court of Appeal
Gove: Lawyers must do more unpaid work!
The Fee Remission Scheme and Mesothelioma sufferers
Translator costs soar
Legal Aid Agency chief’s pay rise draws criticism
Hearing loss claims
Harmans Costs Brief – June 2015
The London Legal Walk 2015 by John Moss
Law Society: Public bodies should pay costs plus a surcharge if decisions are overturned
Changes to Legal Aid Payment for Judicial Review
Vicar wins High Court battle over £125 costs for council tax summons
Costs budgets of both sides in defamation claim
Solicitors’ clients allowed more time to complain
New guidelines to assist lawyers when dealing with litigants in person
Limited availability in the Harmans offices – Monday 8 June 2015
Crowd funding website looks to fund public interest litigation
Harmans announce appointment of new Partner Sara Gould
Harmans Costs Brief – May 2015
Legal Costs Update #4: Case Law Review
Bill of Costs Struck Out Over CFA Validity
Confronting Costs Management – the Third Annual Harbour Lecture
Land Registry property alert
Senior Costs Judge overruled by High Court on Part 36 uplift in detailed assessment proceedings
Costs Law – recent developments. Notes by Roger Mallalieu, Barrister from 4 New Square
Guideline Hourly Rates remain at 2010 levels
Costs Seminar Resources: Part 2
New Practice Directions for Court of Protection now in force
Medical Reports for soft tissue injury claims brought under the RTA Protocol
SCCO Hearings Tuesday 7 April 2015
Payments on account – Nishma Shah considers how much is just right?
The Legal Profession
Insurance and Child Abuse
Hearing Loss Claims – High Court Judge in Cardiff confirms NIHL is a disease
Harmans Costs Brief – March 2015
Aylesbury email problems!
Link to the Court fee remission – form EX160
Court fees petition – please sign
What price Justice? Court fee changes under fire
Harmans free costs seminar – Friday 10 April 2015 – The Law Society, London
Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) – the shape of things to come?
Harmans Costs Brief – February 2015
Lionel Richardson v Glencore: Commercial Costs Case
Costs and Procedure Case Round-Up
Latest edition of MedMal from Marketform featuring Gary Knight on costs
Help for self represented litigants (litigants acting in person)
Chancery Division – electronic filing – production of orders for Master and Judges
Proposed court fee increases
Harmans Costs Brief – January 2015
Legal Costs Update #3: Costs & Procedure
Recovering insurance premiums post-LASPO
Lord Chief Justice’s Report 2014
Chancellor’s Budget – autumn statement
New Stamp Duty Rates introduced from 4 December 2014
Harmans Costs Brief – November 2014
Costs Risks of Refusing to Mediate
Court Discretion on Costs Budgets Confirmed
Harmans Costs launch ‘Costs Expert’ – a bespoke mobile application
Kent CC reaches milestone in hunt for commercial partner for legal services
Will a solution to the problem of Litigants in Person be found in time for Christmas?
Costs Draftsman Nishma Shah examines the importance of a well-placed Part 36 offer
London council to set up £1.4m panel for litigated insurance claims
Harmans Costs Brief – October 2014
Relief from sanctions allowed on Appeal
October 2014 CPR updates
Legal aid work in family cases drops 27% compared to the same quarter last year
Manchester CJC First in Costs CMC Initiative
Updated Legal Aid Agency Guidance on the Remuneration of Expert Fees
Legal Costs Update by Gary Knight – 2014
Publication of J-Codes
Harmans Costs Brief – September 2014
Update to new Civil Juctice Council guidance
Civil Justice Council issues new guidance on instructing experts in civil claims
Requesting oral hearings in relation to the provisional assessment process
Fixed report fees announced for whiplash claims
Supreme Court issues stark human rights costs warning
Master Gordon-Saker appointed new Senior Costs Judge
Lord Dyson: Lack of evidence means no new guideline hourly rates
Harmans Costs Brief – July 2014
NHSLA Annual Review Report and accounts 2013/2014
Family matters
Changes proposed to Judicial Review “could see unlawful administrative action go unremedied”
Are you ready for the Care Act 2014?
New government crack down on fraudulent whiplash claims
M&A rife amongst law firms
Mitchell substantially sound simply misunderstood
Stephen Warner v John Merrett
Hold fire……
Sign and your winning
Supreme Court approaches fifth anniversary with publication of latest annual report
Harmans Costs Brief – June 2014
Relief from Sanctions – a year on from Mitchell
Should we be frightened of disability?
CPR changes from 5 June 2014
New Negligence Law for England & Wales proposed
Mitchell
ACL Annual Costs Conference 2014 – Special Report
Employment tribunal fees
Late Witness Statements and Costs Implications
What you need to know about CPR changes coming into force on 5 June 2014
Harmans Costs Brief – May 2014
The emergence of the Costs Lawyer
Interest on Costs including pre-judgment interest
Ministry of Justice proposals for the reform of medical examinations/medical agencies
Historic UK VAT Rates Since the 1980s
Costs Seminar Resources and Materials
Court fee changes
Harmans Costs Brief – April 2014
Second NLJ/LSLA Litigation Trends Survey tracks impact one year on from Jackson
Legal Costs Update
The new stricter approach to applications for relief from sanction reaches the SCCO
Firms and judges “struggling with costs management”
Harmans sign up for the 10th anniversary of London Legal Walk 2014
R3 Research Project: Jackson Survey
End of tax year considerations
Supreme Court rules that a Consent Order settling a Personal Injury claim is not binding
Reminder – Civil Courts Proceedings Fees
Budget 2014 summary at a glance
What might the outcome have been had Mitchell been appealed to the Supreme Court?
Harmans breakfast seminar – Friday 11 April at The Law Society
Harmans Costs consolidate with Lauben deal
Costs Budgeting Extended to £10m Cases
Harmans Costs Brief – February 2014
Contentious and Non-contentious Business Agreements by Jim Knight
Breaking news – update to previous news article…
The Master of the Rolls approves new model directions in softening of post Mitchell line
VAT reminder
Harmans Costs Brief – January 2014
Relief from Sanctions post-Mitchell appeal
Legal Costs Update by Gary Knight
Relief from sanctions – an important post Mitchell decision
Christmas Costs emergency?
Government Proposals for Court Fee Reforms – Consultation Paper
***STOP PRESS***
No relief for Mr Mitchell MP
Mitchell ‘Plebgate’ Court of Appeal Judgment handed down
Guideline Hourly Rates
Harmans Costs Brief – November 2013
ATE insurance
Costs Budget Hearing
ATE Premium Challenge in Kelly v Black Horse
Update for the Profession on Criminal Very High Cost Cases (VHCC)
The new Lord Mayor
Lawyers have been asked for their views on guideline hourly rates (GHR) for 2014
Civil Legal Aid ban for non-residents
Madoff trial costs GT £11m in legal fees
Legal Aid cuts affecting divorce courts
Criminal Legal Aid cuts
Harmans Costs Brief – October 2013
Post Jackson: any changes?
Replies to points of dispute and Provisional Assessment
New vacancy – senior costs draftsman/costs lawyer
Harmans costs seminar presentation notes
Costs seminar feedback – 27 September at The Law Society
Harmans Costs Brief – September 2013
The recovery of costs “incidental” to proceedings
High Court Halves £1m Costs Budget
Costs update – 5/9/2013
Plebgate…
Harmans breakfast seminar – Friday 27 September at The Law Society
CPR update 66 from October and at last clarification re costs of provisional assessment
Case round up by Gary Knight
Brain injury victims may lose out on vital compensation warns Law Society
Jackson Reforms – 30% Fall in Claims Management Companies
The London Legal Walk fundraising total has passed the £500,000 mark
The 63rd update to the Practice Directions
Claimant solicitors beware!
Guidance issued by CCMCC Salford about use of Form H
Without Prejudice Costs Negotiations and Costs Schedules remain inadmissable
The funeral of Lee Rigby will take place on Friday 12 July 2013
Harmans Costs Brief – July 2013
Are Budgeted Costs Automatically Reasonable?
Post-Jackson Rules: Ongoing Costs Uncertainty
Attempt to double approved budget refused
Association of Costs Lawyers survey results
Treasury Counsel Raise Concerns Over Legal Aid Cuts
Legal update provided by Gary Knight
The future – just how will the Judges manage?
The New Portals
No relief from sanctions – beware the shape of things to come
Extending the Road Traffic Accident Personal Injury Scheme
Have you seen the new Law Society model CFA and advice?
Access to Justice – Concerns over judicial review curbs
DBAs to be amended
Harmans Costs Brief – May 2013
Part 36 offers made in respect of Costs after 1 April 2013
Steve Jones speculates on some of the consequences of the Jackson reforms
The Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (“LASPO”)
Flatman -v- Germany
Harmans Costs Brief – April 2013
New model conditional fee agreement
Gary Knight’s comprehensive summary of the new Practice Direction Amendments
Burford Capital prepared to underwrite experts fees in exchange for “a slice of the winnings”
Bar Council Briefing on CFA and DBA Regulations 2013
Harmans Costs Brief – March 2013
CFA with Counsel post 1 April 2013
Leading Counsel’s Fees in Legal Aid Cases
Costs in Occupational Disease Claims
BBC News – Lord Neuberger, UK’s most senior judge, voices legal aid fears
The 60th update to the CPR is now posted on the MOJ link
Unsurprising win for insurers…
Matthew Harman’s critical report on new Precedent H guidance featured on Litigationfutures.com
Matthew Harman’s damning verdict on new Precedent H guidance notes
Form H – more questions than answers…
Practice Direction changes
Costs Judge Appointment – Rowley
Harmans Costs Brief – February 2013
New Costs Rules
Legal Aid Reforms in England: Key Changes Explained
Can you assign your CFA?
Post-Jackson Proportionality: Practical Insights
Got a legal costs question?
Explanatory note to accompany Offers to Settle in Civil Proceedings Order 2013
New vacancy – junior costs draftsman/woman
Personal injury plans revised
A solicitor’s view of the Henry judgment
Gary Knight’s comprehensive summary on the Henry ruling featured on Litigationfutures.com
Henry full judgment document available
Breaking news – Henry appeal successful
New Office
Jackson Caps confirmed
Civil Justice Reforms
Court of Appeal revises the guidance given in Simmons -v- Castle
Proportionality After Jackson Reforms
Court of Appeal confirm general damages to increase by 10% from April 2013
Ministerial Statement 10th July 2012
New month, new Partners
News from the ACL conference
New Partners to join Harmans
The Costs Practice Direction (Parts 43 to 48) Section 6 is still out there.
Interest on Costs
LSC wins case on recoupment
Danger signs – Costs Lawyer magazine
New name, same expert service
