Guidance

Summary assessment of court costs: a guide for judges

How to make a summary decision on court costs in a fast track case or after a short hearing lasting up to a day.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Guide to summary assessment of costs - 2021

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Guide to summary assessment of costs - 2005

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Details

The guide outlines how to go about carrying out an assessment, and includes information on:

  • when to make costs orders
  • insurance cover and conditional fee agreements
  • costs for litigants in person
  • payments involving a patient or child
  • how to assess solicitors’ fees

To work out costs for different regions and pay grades, refer to the solicitors’ guideline hourly rates (previously published as appendix 2 of the guide).

Published 25 November 2011
Last updated 1 October 2021 + show all updates
  1. Added new Guide to summary assessment of costs for 2021.

  2. First published.