When dealing with disputed medical expert fees in low value claims, claimant solicitors have heard countless arguments from their opponents that they are required to disclose a breakdown of the medical agency invoice and that they should recover no more than the rate provided in the Medical Reporting Organising Agreement guideline (MROA) for a medical… Continue reading Medical agency fee breakdowns: Is there really an obligation to disclose?
Category: Industry News
Guideline hourly rates – Guidelines not Tramlines
This week, we focus on the often misunderstood topic of The Supreme Court Costs Office (SCCO) Guideline Hourly Rates. There is more misunderstanding about the SCCO rates than in any other aspect of costs. Quite simply they do not apply to anything other than summary assessment.
Post-Mitchell life: not as strict as we thought?
The recent judgment in (1) Mark Forstater (2) Mark Forstater Productions Ltd v (1) Python (Monty Pictures Ltd (2) Freeway Cam (UK) Ltd [2013] EWHC 3759 shows there is perhaps a silver lining to the looming grey cloud that is the Mitchell judgment. As we are all aware, Mitchell laid down incredibly strict rules for compliance, with… Continue reading Post-Mitchell life: not as strict as we thought?
Common Sense Prevails
On 25th February 2014 our client was granted relief from sanctions from an Order made by Nottingham County Court that the Claimant’s budget shall comprise only of court fees. This Order was made following a submission advanced by the Defendant that the Claimant had filed a budget that was defective as the Claimant’s budget was… Continue reading Common Sense Prevails
Unsigned witness statement not ‘serious breach’
Ontime Group Director of Costs Sharon Denby today welcomed another common sense decision in the apparent retreat from Mitchell.
Quick out of the blocks? Christie defendant disqualified for budget false start
In the case of Burt v Linford Christie, District Judge Lumb made the decision to not accept the cost budget of the Defendant, as it was filed after the deadline had passed.
It’s Good to Talk – A review of Mitchell v News Group Newspapers Limited [2013]
Ask someone what they think of the Andrew Mitchell case and the response will most likely alight upon the widely reported salacious details. Perhaps only Nigella Lawson could contend for the public’s court case of 2013 award.