Fixed Recoverable Costs Information

Fixed recoverable costs apply to some legal cases.  “Fixed recoverable costs” mean that the amount of legal costs that you can recover from your opponent for costs is set at a fixed amount by the Court rules.

Whether fixed costs apply can depend on when your case starts.  In general terms, if your case started before 1 October 2023, fixed costs are only likely to be relevant to you if your case was a personal injury case.  If your case started after 1 October 2023, fixed costs might be relevant to you whatever sort of case you have. 

Further down this page we set out tables showing the fixed costs for the different types of case.

These tables summarise the fixed recoverable costs.  They don’t set out the fixed costs rules (or the exceptions to them) in full. The full rules are set out in Part 45 of the Civil Procedure Rules and the associated Practice Direction.  If you would like more information about how fixed recoverable costs might apply to your case, please ask us.

All of the fixed costs figures in the tables that follow exclude VAT and disbursements.

My case started before 1 October 2023

My case started on or after 1 October 2023

Cases that started before 1 October 2023

For cases that started before 1 October 2023 fixed recoverable costs depend on what sort of case you have.

Protocol Fixed Recoverable Costs

These are the fixed recoverable costs for personal injury claims that start and finish within one of the pre-action protocols for low value personal injury cases.

Road Traffic Accident Claims

Where the value of the claim for damages is not more than £10,000

Where the value of the claim for damages is more than £10,000

Stage 1 fixed costs

£200

Stage 1 fixed costs

£200

Stage 2 fixed costs

 

£300

Stage 2 fixed costs

£600

Stage 3

- Type A fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type A fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type B fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type B fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type C fixed costs

£150

Stage 3

- Type C fixed costs

£150

Employers Liability and Public Liability Claims

Where the value of the claim for damages is not more than £10,000

Where the value of the claim for damages is more than £10,000

Stage 1 fixed costs

£200

Stage 1 fixed costs

£200

Stage 2 fixed costs

 

£600

Stage 2 fixed costs

£1300

Stage 3

- Type A fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type A fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type B fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type B fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type C fixed costs

£150

Stage 3

- Type C fixed costs

£150

“Out of Protocol” Fixed recoverable costs

These are fixed recoverable costs for personal injury claims that start within one of the pre-action protocols for low value personal injury cases, but which leave the protocol before the case has finished.  They also apply to “Package Travel” Holiday Sickness cases.

Road Traffic Accident Cases

A. If Parties reach a settlement prior to the claimant issuing proceedings under Part 7

Agreed damages

At least £1,000, but not more than £5,000

More than £5,000, but not more than £10,000

More than £10,000

 

Fixed costs

The greater of—
(a) £550; or
(b) the total of—
(i) £100; and
(ii) 20% of the damages

The total of—
(a) £1,100; and
(b) 15% of damages over £5,000

The total of—
(a) £1,930; and
(b) 10% of damages over £10,000

 

B. If proceedings are issued under Part 7, but the case settles before trial

Stage at which case is settled

On or after the date of issue, but prior to the date of allocation under Part 26

On or after the date of allocation under Part 26, but prior to the date of listing

On or after the date of listing but prior to the date of trial

 

Fixed costs

The total of—
(a) £1,160; and
(b) 20% of the damages

The total of—
(a) £1,880; and
(b) 20% of the damages

The total of—
(a) £2,655; and
(b) 20% of the damages

 

C. If the claim is disposed of at trial

Fixed costs

The total of—
(a) £2,655; and
(b) 20% of the damages agreed or awarded; and
(c) the relevant trial advocacy fee

D. Trial advocacy fees

Damages agreed or awarded

Not more than £3,000

More than £3,000, but not more than £10,000

More than £10,000, but not more than £15,000

More than £15,000

Trial advocacy fee

£500

£710

£1,070

£1,705

 

Employers’ Liability claims

A. If Parties reach a settlement prior to the claimant issuing proceedings under Part 7

Agreed damages

At least £1,500, but not more than £5,000

More than £5,000, but not more than £10,000

More than £10,000

 

Fixed costs

The total of—
(a) £950; and
(b) 17.5% of the damages

The total of—
(a) £1,855; and
(b) 12.5% of damages over £5,000

The total of—
(a) £2,500; and
(b) 10% of damages over £10,000

 

B. If proceedings are issued under Part 7, but the case settles before trial

Stage at which case is settled

On or after the date of issue, but prior to the date of allocation under Part 26

On or after the date of allocation under Part 26, but prior to the date of listing

On or after the date of listing but prior to the date of trial

 

Fixed costs

The total of—
(a) £2,630; and
(b) 20% of the damages

The total of—
(a) £3,350; and
(b) 25% of the damages

The total of—
(a) £4,280; and
(b) 30% of the damages

 

C. If the claim is disposed of at trial

Fixed costs

The total of—
(a) £4,280;
(b) 30% of the damages agreed or awarded; and
(c) the relevant trial advocacy fee

D. Trial advocacy fees

Damages agreed or awarded

Not more than £3,000

More than £3,000, but not more than £10,000

More than £10,000, but not more than £15,000

More than £15,000

Trial advocacy fee

£500

£710

£1,070

£1,705

 

Public Liability Claims

A. If Parties reach a settlement prior to the claimant issuing proceedings under Part 7

Agreed damages

At least £1,500, but not more than £5,000

More than £5,000, but not more than £10,000

More than £10,000

 

Fixed costs

The total of—
(a) £950; and
(b) 17.5% of the damages

The total of—
(a) £1,855; and
(b) 10% of damages over £5,000

The total of—
(a) £2,370; and
(b) 10% of damages over £10,000

 

B. If proceedings are issued under Part 7, but the case settles before trial

Stage at which case is settled

On or after the date of issue, but prior to the date of allocation under Part 26

On or after the date of allocation under Part 26, but prior to the date of listing

On or after the date of listing but prior to the date of trial

 

Fixed costs damages

The total of—
(a) £2,450; and
(b) 17.5% of the damages

The total of—
(a) £3,065; and
(b) 22.5% of the damages

The total of—
(a) £3,790; and
(b) 27.5% of the damages

 

C. If the claim is disposed of at trial

Fixed costs

The total of—
(a) £3,790;
(b) 27.5% of the damages agreed or awarded; and
(c) the relevant trial advocacy fee

D. Trial advocacy fees

Damages agreed or awarded

Not more than £3,000

More than £3,000, but not more than £10,000

More than £10,000, but not more than £15,000

More than £15,000

Trial advocacy fee

£500

£710

£1,070

£1,705

Fixed Application Costs

If an application has to be made in an “Out of Protocol” case before the case has finished then the fixed recoverable costs for it are £250.

Cases that started on or after 1 October 2023

For cases that start after 1 October 2023 fixed costs depend on what sort of case you have.

Protocol Fixed Recoverable Costs

These are fixed recoverable costs for personal injury claims that start and finish within one of the pre-action protocols for low value personal injury cases.

Road Traffic Accident Claims

Where the value of the claim for damages is not more than £10,000

Where the value of the claim for damages is more than £10,000

Stage 1 fixed costs

£200

Stage 1 fixed costs

£200

Stage 2 fixed costs

 

£300

Stage 2 fixed costs

£600

Stage 3

- Type A fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type A fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type B fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type B fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type C fixed costs

£150

Stage 3

- Type C fixed costs

£150

Employers Liability and Public Liability Claims

Where the value of the claim for damages is not more than £10,000

Where the value of the claim for damages is more than £10,000

Stage 1 fixed costs

£200

Stage 1 fixed costs

£200

Stage 2 fixed costs

 

£600

Stage 2 fixed costs

£1300

Stage 3

- Type A fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type A fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type B fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type B fixed costs

£250

Stage 3

- Type C fixed costs

£150

Stage 3

- Type C fixed costs

£150

Fast Track Fixed Recoverable Costs

If your case is, or would usually be, allocated to the Fast Track, these are the fixed recoverable costs that apply.  The level of fixed costs usually depends on how complex the case is, the stage at which it settles, and the amount of the damages.

Settlement Stage

Complexity Band

1

2

3

4

Pre-issue,

Damages

£1001 - £5,000

 

-

The greater of

(i)  £681 or

(ii) £124 +20% of damages

£1136 + 17.5% of damages

£2,684 + 15% of damages + £526 per extra defendant

Pre-issue,

Damages

£5,001 -£10,000

 

-

£1342 + 15% of damages over £5000

£2271 + 12.5% of damages over £5000

Pre-issue,

Damages

£10,001 - £25,000

 

£599

£2374 + 10% of damages over £10000

£3097 + 10% of damages over £10000

After the issue of Part 7 proceedings but before

allocation to track

 

£2168

£1445 + 20% of damages

£3303 + 20% of damages

£3097 + 40% of damages + £785 per extra defendant

After allocation to track but before listing for trial

 

£2581

£2300 + 20% of damages

£4000 + 25% of damages

£6400 + 40% of damages + £785 per extra defendant

After listing for trial but before the trial takes place

 

£3923

£3303 + 20% of damages

£5265 + 30% of damages

£8155 + 40% of damages + £785 per extra defendant

At trial

 

£3923 + advocacy fee

£3303 + 20% of damages + advocacy fee

£5265 + 30% of damages + advocacy fee

£8155 + 40% of damages + £785 per extra defendant + advocacy fee

 

Trial advocacy fee

(see note 1)

a £619

b £877

c £1342

d £2168

a £619

b £877

c £1342

d £2168

a £619

b £877

c £1342

d £2168

a £1652

b £1652

c £2168

d £2994

Note 1

Trial advocacy fees depend on the level of damages awarded.  The brackets are:

  1. Up to £3000
  2. More than £3000 but less than £10000
  3. More than £10000 but less than £15000
  4. More than £15000

If the case settles 2 days before trial 75% of the Trial advocacy fee is recoverable.  If it settles the day before trial, or on the day of trial, 100% of the Trial advocacy fee is recoverable.

Note 2

Costs can be recovered for obtaining additional specialist legal input, for example from a barrister.

The fixed recoverable costs amounts are:

Type of work

Fixed recoverable costs

A. Providing post-issue advice in writing or in conference

£1,000

B. Drafting a statement of case

£500

Note 3

For Fast Track cases the complexity band usually depends on what sort of case you have.  Some examples are:

Band 1 –  Road Traffic accidents with no personal injury

Band 2 – Road Traffic Accident Personal Injury claims covered by the pre-action protocol and package holiday sickness claims

Band 3 - Road Traffic Accident Personal Injury claims not covered by the pre-action protocol, Employers Liability Accidents, Public liability, tracked possession claims, housing disrepair, other money claims;

Band 4 – Employers Liability Disease claims, particularly complex tracked possession claims or housing disrepair claims, property disputes, professional negligence claims and other claims at the top end of the fast track

Intermediate Track Fixed Recoverable Costs

If your case is, or would usually be, allocated to the Intermediate Track, these are the fixed recoverable costs that apply.  The level of fixed costs usually depends on how complex the case is, the stage at which it settles, and the amount of the damages.

The figures in each column are cumulative totals, apart from the rows shaded green, which can be recovered in addition.

Settlement Stage (S)

Band 1

Band 2

Band 3

Band 4

S1 – Up to service of defence

 

£1652 + 3% of damages

£5162 + 6% of damages

£6607 + 6% of damages

£9601 + 8% of damages

S2 – Counsel or specialist lawyer advising post-issue or drafting statement of case

 

£2065

£2065

(a) £2374; or

(b) £3613 if  Defence to Counterclaim

(a) £2374; or

(b) £3613 if  Defence to Counterclaim

S3 Up to date of CMC or directions

 

£4129 + 10% of damages

£7949 + 12% of damages

£9394 + 12% of damages

£13420 + 14% of damages

S4 Up to end of period for inspection of documents

 

£4749 + 12% of damages

£9704 + 14% of damages

£11356 + 14% of damages

£16517 + 16% of damages

S5 Up to service of statements and expert reports

 

£5368 + 12% of damages

£11356 + 16% of damages

£12388 + 16% of damages

£20647 + 18% of damages

S6 Up to Pre Trial Review / 14 days before trial

 

£6091 + 15% of damages

£15485 + 16% of damages

£16517 + 16% of damages

£24776 + 18% of damages

S7 Counsel advising in conference

£1445

£1755

£2374

£2994

S8 Up to date of trial

 

£6813 + 15% of damages

£17550 + 20% of damages

£19614 + 20% of damages

£29938 + 22% of damages

S9 Solicitor’s trial attendance per day

£599

£898

£1239

£1445

S10 Advocacy fee day 1

£3303

£3613

£4129

£5988

S11 Advocacy fee subsequent days

£1445

£1755

£2065

£2994

S12 Hand down of judgment and consequential matters

£599

£599

£599

£599

S13 ADR (Solicitor)

 

£1239

£1239

£1239

£1239

S14 ADR (Counsel)

 

£1445

£1755

£2065

£2374

S15 Approval for child or protected party

£1239

£1445

£1755

£2065

S16 Advocacy Fee

100 % of the S10 fee if the case settles on the day of trial or the day before

75% of the S10 fee if the case settles 2 – 5 days before trial

 

Noise Induced Hearing Loss Cases

Claims for Noise Induced Hearing Loss have specific fixed recoverable costs, that are set out in this table:

Stage

1 Defendant

2 Defendants

3 Defendants

Pre litigation

2A – liability admitted, proceedings not prepared

 

£2994

£3613

£4129

2B – liability  admitted, proceedings prepared

 

£3613

£4129

£4749

3A – Liability disputed, proceedings not prepared

 

£4129

£4749

£5368

3B – Liability disputed,

proceedings prepared

 

£4749

£5368

£5988

Post Litigation

L1 - After the issue of Part 7 proceedings but before

allocation to track

 

+ £1961

+ £2374

+ £2787

L2 - After allocation to track but before listing for trial

 

+ £1961

+ £2374

+ £2787

L3 After listing for trial but before the trial takes place

 

+ £2271

 

+ £2684

+ £3097

Maximum possible

= 3B + L 1,2,3

£10942

£12800

£14659

Trial advocacy fee

£1652

£1652

£1652

Fixed Application Costs

If an application has to be made in a fixed recoverable costs case before the case has finished then the fixed costs for it are set out in this table:

Claim or Application type

Fixed recoverable costs

Band 1, 2 or 3 Fast Track Claim

 

£250

Band 4 Fast Track Claim,

Intermediate Track Claim,

NIHL claim

 

£333

 

Application for

·       Summary Judgment

·       Interim payment

·       Interim Injunction

 

£750

Restoration Proceedings 

Sometimes a claim is being made against a company that has been dissolved and it has to be “restored” so that the claim can proceed.  If “Restoration proceedings” are needed in a fixed costs case then additional fixed costs are recoverable. 

The amount of additional fixed costs for Restoration Proceedings is currently £1280.

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