Having attended the Association of Costs Lawyers Legal Aid Seminar on Friday it was strangely comforting to know that the whole of the Country are experiencing LAA rejections! What baffled us though was why they had yet to enforce assessment delays... are they lulling us into a false sense of security one may ask?!
Should you fail to submit your claim for costs within 3 months of the termination of the retainer and you could be penalised. These are just guidelines, and how you justify your delay will determine the deduction to your costs.
However it is better to be safe than sorry and submit within the time limit.
Fail to do so and your costs could be reduced as follows :-
· Up to 9 months late 5%
· 9-18 months late 10%
· 18-27 months late 15%
· 27-35 months late 20%
· 36 months onwards 30%
Contact us for expert advice in respect of what is reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances.
I am a Practice Manager of a long established firm of Legal Costs Consultants in Cheshire.
Expertise
