Detailed Assessment
Detailed Assessment
Our Detailed Assessment gives you and your client expert support to ensure that your legal costs are accurately assessed and maximised. We work as part of your team, conduct a meticulous analysis of each case, and tailor our service to your specific case needs to ensure the costs claimed are maximised against those recovered.
Bill of Costs
With considerable experience in preparing Bills of Costs across a wide range of practice areas—including high-profile commercial litigation, multi-jurisdictional disputes, and group litigation—we are well-equipped to advise you on the extent of recoverable costs.
Points of Dispute and Replies
We offer expert services in preparing precise and effective Points of Dispute (POD), as well as crafting well-reasoned Replies, to ensure that every aspect of our clients’ costs is fully justified and, where necessary, contested. With years of experience, we understand the importance of strategy and clarity in preparing documents that can significantly impact the outcome of a Detailed Assessment.
Points of Dispute (POD) Preparation
When a costs claim is presented, the opposing party has the right to challenge it through Points of Dispute. Our POD service includes:
- Detailed Analysis: we meticulously examine the submitted Bill of Costs to identify areas that may be excessive, unreasonable, or non-compliant.
- Concise and Focused Arguments: we draft PODs that clearly communicate why certain charges should be reduced or disallowed, ensuring our arguments are persuasive and evidence-backed.
- Cost-Saving Strategy: our approach is designed to achieve the best possible financial outcome, either through negotiated settlement or, if necessary, at the Detailed Assessment hearing.
Expert Replies to Points of Dispute
In cases where our clients are on the receiving end of PODs, we offer an equally thorough Reply service:
- Responsive and Accurate Replies: crafted to address the specific challenges raised in the PODs, reinforcing the validity of the claimed costs.
- Strategic Focus: we focus on the strongest arguments to support our clients’ claims, emphasising reasonable and necessary expenditures.
- Preparation for Assessment: our well-structured Replies are instrumental in guiding the court’s understanding, providing clarity to support a favourable outcome.
Our Points of Dispute and Replies service is grounded in experience and attention to detail. We understand that each case is unique, and we work closely with our clients to develop PODs and Replies that are tailored to their objectives. Whether negotiating a settlement or preparing for Detailed Assessment, we offer guidance at every step to maximise the recovery or minimise liability, ensuring the best possible result for our clients.
Settlement Offers
Strategic settlement offers can be key to protecting our clients’ financial interests and resolving disputes efficiently, and we craft settlement offers that give you the best chance for a favourable outcome.
We work with clients to create protective costs offers. These offers are designed to protect your position, ensuring that costs are recovered to the fullest extent possible, or kept within expected parameters if awarded against you. We offer detailed guidance on settlement offers that meet the requirements of CPR 47.20 and CPR Part 36.
- CPR 47.20 Offers: We assist in crafting offers that align with this rule, particularly when the proportion and reasonableness of the costs are key factors.
- CPR Part 36 Offers: When it’s advantageous, we help clients create Part 36 offers that provide protection by incentivising a settlement. If accepted, these offers can bring about a swift resolution; if not, they can bring significant cost advantages in the event of a favourable court judgment.
Our Settlement Offers service goes beyond simple preparation. We provide full advisory support to assess offers from opposing parties, evaluate their fairness, and advise on when to counter or accept, always aiming to maximise the financial outcomes for you, and reduce your risk.
For applications requiring Form N260 (Summary Assessment) for hearings lasting a day or less, we offer a bespoke service to prepare these forms – and if required, we’re more than happy to conduct this work onsite in your offices.