Rights of audience

The Department of Constitutional Affairs has notified the Association of Law Costs Draftsmen that its application to be granted authorised body status to grant its members formal rights of audience on all costs-related matters has been successful. Hitherto, costs draftsmen attending on a detailed assessment have exercised a right of hearing as temporary employees of the firm of solicitors instructing them. They have also been inhibited from accepting instructions from members of the public direct and attending on hearings with them, lest they should be accused of acting as solicitors. The mechanics of the implementation have yet to be finalised with the possibility of the Association providing practising certificates for Fellows of the Association. Not all law costs draftsmen are members of the Association and there are no professional regulations governing costs draftsmen. Perhaps this is a step in both directions.