Page 3 - PIC Magazine Issue 25 - Autumn-Winter 2025

editor
Notepad Welcome to the latest edition
costs regime, even if a Part 36 off er was made earlier
where the relevant period expires before allocation.
This clarifi cation not only reinforces the importance of
strategic case management but is crucial for solicitors
navigating between tracks.
Staying with Part 36, further guidance was provided in
Henderson & Jones Ltd v Salica Investments Ltd and
Barry v Barry where the court examined not only the
of our PIC Magazine.
validity of the off ers, but the consequences of beating
them. The Claimants Part 36 off er had failed to specify
the ‘relevant period’ for acceptance however the court
s we move into the fi nal quarter of 2025,
we continue to navigate the shifting landscape
of Legal Costs shaped by judicial decisions,
regulatory developments, market forces and
technological innovation. We have witnessed a series
of pivotal rulings that have clarifi ed key aspects of
costs law and had a direct impact on costs practice.
held that a reasonable solicitor would have understood
the off er to be referring to a period of 21 days, being
consistent with earlier Part 36 off ers made. These
decisions show the importance for precision in drafting
of the documents and the potential fi nancial rewards of
tactical litigation planning.
The long running and high-profi le costs dispute in
Rebekah Vardy v Coleen Rooney [2025], concluded
early this year after the parties agreed a settlement
shortly before a two-week detailed assessment was
due to begin. In this case, the court clarifi ed the
boundaries of solicitor misconduct under CPR 44.11.
The judgment confi rmed that a lack of transparency
in budget preparation, while undesirable, does
not necessarily amount to misconduct. This ruling
reinforces the importance of clarity in Precedent H
submissions but off ers reassurance that honest errors
will not automatically attract sanctions.
The case of Attersley v UK Insurance Ltd [2025] also
came under scrutiny when the court ruled that once
a case is allocated to the multi-track, it exits the fi xed
Finally, the Solicitors Act was revisited in Spanakis v
Schillings International LLP, where the court upheld
that the appellant solicitor’s costs should not be limited
to an estimate provided for the anticipated work and
that, the principle, estimates are not binding unless
relied upon. This is a clear reminder for solicitors
as to the importance of clear communication and
documentation with their clients.
As we look ahead, we must remain agile and informed
as the legal costs environment promises further
transformation with the rise of generative AI and
a continued emphasis on commerciality and cost
control. PIC will continue to rely on their decades of
knowledge and experience to work with clients on
delivering through effi ciency, embracing technology,
and adapting to evolving client expectations.
Management Team at PIC
Contents
4 For Every Call We Receive - We Miss One
Anna Devine, Action Against Medical Accidents
6 18 St John Street Chambers
7 Celebrating 10 Years Of The Frenkel Topping Charitable
Foundation: A Decade Of Making A Diff erence
Frenkel Topping Charitable Foundation
8 Beyond The Funnel
Andrew Chadwick, Blume
10 How France + Associates Delivers Bespoke
Accommodation Solutions in Challenging Markets
Jonathan France, France + Associates
12 The Consequences of Non-compliant Points of Dispute
Ben Petrecz, Partners In Costs
14 Year Of Impact - Charity & Training
Partners In Costs
Let's Stay Connected
Follow our social channels for all the latest events, news and fundraising activities.
PIC Legal Costs Specialists Frenkel Topping Group
15 Recruitment To Retention: Practical Insights
From Experience When Costing Care
Emma Way, Emma Way Associates
16 In-house Solicitors
Caroline Engledow, Resolution Costs
18 COP Costs Round Up
Paul Cruickshanks, A&M Bacon
20 Instructing A Physiotherapy Expert Witness Made Easy
Somek & Associates
22 The Conduct of Solicitors
Professor Dominic Regan, Frenkel Topping Group
23 23 Benchmarking - The Financial Adviser’s ‘Challenging Friend’
Benchmarking - The Financial Adviser’s ‘Challenging Friend’
Mark Holt, Frenkel Topping Group
Mark Holt, Frenkel Topping Group
24 24 Where has PIC Been This Year?
Where has PIC Been This Year?
Partners In Costs
Partners In Costs
www.pic.legal Autumn & Winter 2025
PARTNERS IN COSTS
PARTNERS IN COSTS
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