Costs Draftsmen’s Fees

At 19/LL p37 we referred to the guidance following the conference of designated civil judges that work done by costs draftsmen should be treated as category 3 work. Although this is acceptable for routine bills, it is only the equivalent of a trainee solicitor whereas the preparation of substantial bills and advocacy on detailed assessments is the equivalent of the work done by grade 2 fee-earners. This was raised at the last meeting of the Costs Practitioners Group at the Supreme Court Costs Office and the following is a letter written by its Chairman, Costs Judge Peter Rogers, to the Vice-Chancellor.