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At BarnsChapel, we recognise the critical importance of effectively managing disputes over legal costs throughout the detailed assessment process. Points of Dispute and Replies are essential instruments that enable parties to challenge and defend costs claimed in a Bill of Costs, ensuring all costs are properly scrutinised and justified.
Points of Dispute represent the paying party’s formal challenge to specific items within a Bill of Costs, requiring concise articulation of the nature and grounds of each objection. Replies to Points of Dispute are the receiving party’s opportunity to defend the costs claimed and address the specific issues raised. This structured exchange forms the cornerstone of fair costs resolution and transparent recovery.
Our costs lawyers have extensive expertise in drafting precise and effective Points of Dispute and Replies, collaborating closely with solicitors to ensure all challenges and defences are properly documented and robustly justified.
Combining technical excellence with practical business understanding, our approach focuses on maximising your position in costs disputes while minimising the administrative burden on your team.
We work closely with you to ensure that all disputes are properly documented and justified, providing a solid foundation for successful cost recovery or defence
By entrusting us with your Points of Dispute and Replies, you can free up your time to concentrate on higher value work, enhancing your productivity and client service.
Our Points of Dispute and Replies deliver clear, methodical arguments that comply with Precedent G format requirements. This precision ensures all points are easily understood by the court and effectively address the issues at hand.
We guarantee that all Points of Dispute and Replies comply with the latest court requirements and Civil Procedure Rules, ensuring they are submitted within mandated timelines. This strict compliance helps you avoid penalties and secure optimal outcomes.
Our specialist team documents all disputes and replies with exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and completeness. This thorough approach supports your position and helps withstand intense scrutiny from both the court and opposing parties.
We provide expert advocacy throughout the dispute resolution process, presenting compelling arguments to defend your costs or challenge excessive claims. Our experienced team facilitates effective negotiations, including strategic use of Part 36 offers, to achieve favourable outcomes without unnecessary court proceedings.
With our comprehensive and strategically drafted Points of Dispute and Replies, you can significantly improve your position in costs disputes. We ensure all arguments are properly justified and documented, supporting successful cost recovery or defence.
Points of Dispute are formal objections raised by the paying party to contest specific items in a Bill of Costs. Replies are the receiving party's response to these objections, defending the costs claimed. Both documents are required during the detailed assessment process when parties cannot agree on recoverable costs.
Points of Dispute must be submitted within 21 days of service of the Notice of Commencement. Replies to Points of Dispute must then be submitted within 21 days of receiving the Points of Dispute. Extensions may be agreed between the parties or granted by the court in certain circumstances.
Points of Dispute must include general points addressing issues such as proportionality and hourly rates, as well as specific objections to individual items contained in the Bill of Costs. Each point must be concise, clearly stated, and follow the Precedent G format prescribed by the courts.
Replies must directly address each point raised in the Points of Dispute, providing justification for the costs claimed and responding to specific objections. Replies should maintain the same numbering system as the Points of Dispute for clarity and ease of reference.
The electronic format requires specific technical knowledge to effectively challenge or defend costs. The ability to filter, sort and analyse data within the electronic bill creates new opportunities for both challenging and defending costs, making specialist expertise increasingly valuable.
If Points of Dispute are not submitted within the prescribed time limit, the Bill of Costs may be assessed as drawn without consideration of potential objections. If Replies are not submitted on time, the court may proceed with the assessment without the benefit of the receiving party's defence to objections raised.
Well-crafted Points of Dispute can significantly reduce liability for costs by identifying disproportionate or unreasonable claims. Equally, comprehensive Replies can protect recoverable costs by providing robust justification for costs incurred. Both documents are critical in determining the final assessed amount.
Precedent G can be found annexed to CPR Practice Direction 47. All other costs precedents (other than the N260 Statement of Costs) can also be located here.”
Points of Dispute and Replies can sometimes involve intricate arguments about the minutiae of costs, such as the appropriateness of charging for specific items like photocopying or travel expenses?
This level of detail ensures that every aspect of the costs claimed is scrutinised, promoting fairness and transparency in the assessment process.
Have a question about Costs Law that we haven’t answered, or want to have a chat about what we do and how we do it?
Use the contact details below to get in touch, or fill in our contact form and we will get right back to you.
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