INTER PARTES

At Kutter Walters, we have extensive experience in all aspects of inter partes costs. We understand the increased pressure on firms to manage costs at the outset, bearing in mind costs budget requirements. We ensure that we undertake all work expeditiously and at a competitive price.
 
Our services include:

• Costs budgets

• Advocacy and negotiations in relation to CCMC’s

• Bill drafting

• Points of Dispute and Replies

• Negotiations

• Provisional Assessment

• Advocacy and negotiations in relation to Detailed Assessments

• Appeals of Provisional or Detailed Assessments

MEDIATION SERVICES

(LEGAL COSTS AND NON-COST DISPUTES)

Where mediation is required for legal costs disputes we are able to offer the process of Early Neutral Evaluation. This process involves evaluating and providing an early assessment of the points of the case, or any technical issue in it. Early Neutral Evaluation is a non-binding form of ADR, however provides the parties with an unbiased expert opinion on the likely outcome of the case, were it to be heard in Court.  We are able to relate to clients at all levels and provide a pragmatic yet commercial approach to even the most complex of situations.

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We will travel to suit the mediation requirements and have expertise in the following areas: Legal Costs Disputes; Public Law; Probate and Inheritance Disputes; Commercial Disputes; Clinical Negligence; Financial Disputes; Neighbour Disputes; Workplace Disputes; Property/Boundary Disputes; Landlord and Tenant.

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Our charges for Mediation range from £1000-2500 a day. For more information, please contact 01273 569650 or email .
 

LEGAL AID

Kutter Walters strongly believes in the ongoing provision of Legal Aid. We have a team of dedicated Legal Aid costs experts who are ready to advise you on how to maximise profitability from your cases. CCMS has changed the way in which legal aid costs are claimed and our team is at the forefront of changes to the evolving system. 

Our services include:

• Civil legal aid bills and claim drafting

•  Post-assessment documentation, including EX80's and claims  

•  High costs:

  • Case plans and case plan management

  •  CCFS and other Events Model Case Plans

  •  Applications for exceptional costs

• Appeals of LAA decisions

• Advocacy at Detailed Assessments

• Checklists and correspondence with the LAA

• All CCMS billing, administration and uploads (different levels of service in place to meet your firm's needs)

We have structured fee plans to ensure continuity across your cases and billing processes, with fees based on recoverable legal aid costs to ensure that where these can be included in the claim you don't lose out on leaving the administrative work to the costs experts. 

COURT OF PROTECTION

In the Court of Protection, if your costs are under £3000 you are permitted to file a short form bill, otherwise a full bill of costs for assessment is required. Our team regularly prepares both forms of claim and can advise you on the most appropriate method.
 
We are able to assist at the outset of your case to ensure that you are claiming the correct rates and are conducting your matter in line with the Court of Protection Good Practice Rules, issued by the SCCO.
 

Our services include:

• Bill drafting

• Appeals of Provisional Assessments

• Advocacy and negotiations in relation to Detailed Assessments

SOLICITOR/CLIENT COSTS

Kutter Walters is able to provide advice to your firm to ensure that you are providing the correct information to clients at the outset in accordance with Statutory and SRA Code of Conduct Rules. Ensuring that your firm is compliant with these rules minimises the risk of client cost disputes.
 
Should a client fail to make payment of your bill or requests a Solicitor/Client costs assessment, we are able to provide advice and services to assist.
 
Our services include:

• Bill drafting

• Advocacy and negotiations in relation to Detailed Assessments