Page 3 - PIC-Magazine-Issue-26

editor
Notepad Welcome to the latest edition
appeal against the decision in Attersley v UK Insurance
Limited and judgement is currently pending. The case
states that once allocated to the multi-track, it will
exit the fi xed costs regime. Whatever the decision,
strategic case management remains crucial for
Solicitors navigating between tracks.
Although we keep up to date with the constant stream
of developments in the legal cost world, we cannot
of our PIC Magazine.
deny that PIC, along with all cost professionals, have
been eagerly awaiting further clarity from the Court
of Appeal on the case of Mazur v Charles Russell
s we set out to start 2026, we cannot help but
look back and take note of a striking period of
movement, scrutiny and recalibration across the
legal costs sector during the last quarter of 2025.
We have witnessed headline-making judgements on
costs recovery, the importance of proportionality,
shifts in costs management and the challenge about
litigation conduct. All of which will shape working
practices well into this year.
Speechlys Bircham LLP. The decision of Sheldon J
generated signifi cant concern with legal teams and
non-qualifi ed employees of law fi rms. This case
prompted client and cost fi rms across the country
to re-assess their structure having regard to the
implications as to who must conduct litigation and
how fee earner tasks can be delegated. Now the
hearing is over, everyone is waiting for Judgement
to be handed down.
Many will have welcomed an increase to the Guideline
Hourly Rates from 1 January 2026 which is the third-
year running. Whilst this in turn will see an increase
in the starting point for costs claims, it will see fee
earners aff orded less time to complete work in cases
operating under Fixed Costs including the cap for
costs of assessment in a provisional assessment case.
Looking ahead, as the changing landscape of legal
costs navigates tightening regulation, evolving case
law, and heightened economic scrutiny, the coming
quarter off ers both challenges and opportunities.
There will continue to be scrutiny on hourly rates and
budgeting compliance, which will add further pressure
on justifi cation. The legal costs industry remains in fl ux,
and staying ahead will require agility, awareness, and a
Further, on fi xed recoverable costs when interacting
proactive approach to both risk and innovation.
with a Part 36 off er, the Court of Appeal has heard an
Management Team at PIC
Contents
4 Tell Us About Your Career
Sarah Hibberd, Action Against Medical Accidents
14 Fletchers Foundation
Fletchers Group
5 Periodical Payment Orders Vs Lump Sum Settlements -
Is One Better Than The Other?
Elen Davies-Kay, Frenkel Topping Group
16 Clinically Led Case Management: Supporting
Recovery After Catastrophic Injury
Danielle Reeves, Keystone Case Management
6 Release Of The Report Concerning Patients Of
Mr Jabbar At Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children
Dr Louisa Sherlock, No5 Barristers Chambers
18 The Mazur Appeal
Professor Dominic Regan, Frenkel Topping Group
20 Medical Agency Charges – The Continuing Conundrum
Ben Petrecz, Partners In Costs
8 Great Legal Minds - Neurodiversity
And Wellbeing In The Law
Emma Wilson, ARAG Legal Services
22 Key Considerations For Cost Eff ective, Client Centred
Home Adaptations for Vulnerable Clients
10 Understanding Investment Costs
Rod Davis, EA Mobility
Ascencia Investment Management
24 11 COP Costs – Spring Round Up
Paul Cruickshanks, A&M Bacon
Using Ai In Medico-Legal Cases
Kieran Hughes, MRC Group
26 26 12 From Freedom to Pain to Liberation Again:
How the Right Vehicle Changed Everything
Lewis Reed Group
Partners In Costs – Celebrating A Year Of Giving
Partners In Costs – Celebrating A Year Of Giving
Back And Sharing Knowledge
Back And Sharing Knowledge
Partners In Costs
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
www.pic.legal Spring & Summer 2026
PARTNERS IN COSTS
PARTNERS IN COSTS
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