Information on costs

Costs and funding is a large and complex subject. This subtopic provides guidance on the costs information you should give:

•
to new clients
•
at appropriate stages throughout each client's matter
•
to prospective clients via your website

Where possible, sample wording is provided, but you must check that the wording is consistent with your own particular costs and funding arrangements.

Expectations of the Legal Ombudsman

Costs complaints often escalate to the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) rather than the SRA. It is therefore worth familiarising yourself with the LeO’s general approach to what constitutes good practice on solicitors’ costs.

‘Good cost information will always be a central feature of a reasonable service. The lawyers providing the best service will not just ensure that their clients have a good understanding of what they should expect to pay for the work being done but will also keep good records of the communication.’

There are three key principles the LeO believes firms should keep in mind:

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a client should never be surprised by the bill they receive from their lawyer
•
if you intend, now or in the future,

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