The way we operate means that at the outset of every case our clients’ objectives are clearly identified. We discuss all the legal, evidential, procedural and strategic issues. We also examine the advantages and disadvantages of all the available options for achieving our clients’ objectives.
The discussion also focuses on all the ‘commercial’ issues. Legal costs are obviously one of those issues and so we provide our clients with the best possible information about the likely overall legal costs for each of the available options (including likely disbursements). We also explore ‘discounted’, ‘capped’ and ‘fixed’ charges for certain parts of the case and, in some instances, the entire case.
An individual legal service is then tailor-made that accommodates our clients’ specific needs. This process involves us giving our clients:
- A clear explanation of every likely stage of the agreed course of action.
- An estimate of the likely legal costs for each of those stages.
- A proposed legal cost budget that specifically deals with those stages likely to result in higher, and lower, legal costs so that legal costs can be spread evenly over the duration of the agreed course of action.
After this initial stage, we are acutely aware of the need to monitor and control legal costs. It is for this reason that we issue monthly reports:
- Confirming the stages of the agreed course of action that have been completed and the actual legal costs for each of those stages.
- Comparing the actual legal costs incurred against the initial estimate / legal cost budget to check, and confirm, that actual legal costs fall within the initial estimate / legal cost budget.
- Reviewing the likely stages of the agreed course of action that have not yet been completed and our initial estimate of the likely legal costs for each of those stages.
We believe that clear and accurate information about legal costs, both at the outset and at regular intervals throughout the duration of your case, is essential to enable you to make better decisions about if, and how, your matter should proceed.
