Fixed costs

Fixed costs

Fixed costs—what are they?

Fixed recoverable costs (FRC) are the set amount of legal costs that a successful party can recover from their opponent. In cases where FRC apply, the successful party is only able to recover the applicable costs (which are set out in the relevant tables under CPR PD 45), unless the court orders otherwise. As a result, where FRC apply, the unsuccessful party will be only be required to pay a fixed sum in respect of the successful party's costs.

Extension of fixed costs

The extended FRC regime came into force on 1 October 2023. For all civil cases, other than personal injury and disease, the extended FRC regime applies (unless the case is specifically excluded) to proceedings which are issued on or after 1 October 2023. For personal injury cases, the extended FRC regime applies to cases where the cause of action accrued on or after 1 October 2023 and for disease cases the extended FRC regime applies where the letter of claim was sent on or after 1 October 2023. The Practice Notes that come within the fixed costs topic are divided into

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