About ARC Costs
Costs expertise. Accountability from the outset.
Specialist costs expertise for demanding instructions
ARC Costs is a specialist legal costs business based in Bolton, supporting solicitors, businesses and individuals across England and Wales. Our experienced costs draftsmen and qualified costs lawyers assist with costs preparation, budgeting, negotiation and disputes.
We handle both routine instructions and complex, high-value costs matters. Our work includes clinical negligence, personal injury, commercial litigation, housing disrepair, judicial review, legal aid and Court of Protection costs.
Whether you need a bill of costs prepared, advice on a substantial claim against you or support throughout detailed assessment proceedings, we consider the evidence, procedural requirements and financial implications of your matter.
Complex instructions require more than accurate calculations
In substantial litigation, the costs position can depend on several connected issues: funding arrangements, costs orders, approved budgets, expert evidence, changes in the proceedings and the quality of the underlying records.
Our approach is to understand those issues before deciding how the costs should be presented or challenged. A detailed bill needs to explain the work undertaken and provide a defensible basis for recovery. Equally, objections should identify the weaknesses that matter, rather than simply disputing every item.
For receiving parties, we help assess recoverability and respond to challenges. For paying parties, we examine the scope of the claim, the time and rates sought, and whether the costs are reasonable and proportionate.
We also consider the commercial decision behind the legal arguments. A substantial dispute may justify extensive preparation, but clients need advice on settlement opportunities and the additional expense of proceeding to a hearing.
Meet the directors behind ARC Costs
Thomas Higginbottom — Director and Costs Lawyer
Thomas qualified as a costs lawyer in 2024 after completing the Legal Practice Course, he decided to complete the Association of Costs Lawyers (ACL) Costs Lawyer Course. He is now regulated by the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB). He advises receiving parties on bills, budgets and negotiations in all areas of law.
He supports clients in preparing costs claims and addressing the issues raised during the recovery process.
Robert Collington — Director and Costs Lawyer
Robert is a qualified Costs Lawyer and is regulated by the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB). He has worked in the legal costs sector since 2010 and qualified as a costs lawyer in 2020 after successfully completing the Association of Costs Lawyers (ACL) Costs Lawyer Course. His experience includes complex clinical negligence and commercial litigation costs matters.
His work involves examining the issues that influence costs recovery and exposure, including the supporting evidence, proportionality and the strength of the parties’ positions.
Initial enquiries are reviewed by a Costs Director. Where we accept instructions, a dedicated costs professional is allocated to the matter.
Costs draftsmen and costs lawyers working together
A costs draftsman prepares costs documents and may assist with negotiations. The work requires careful analysis of time records, disbursements, funding arrangements and the litigation itself.
A costs lawyer is a qualified professional regulated by the Costs Lawyer Standards Board, with authorisation to undertake specified reserved legal activities relating to costs. Those authorisations are particularly relevant where costs litigation or court representation is required.
ARC combines experienced costs drafting with qualified costs lawyer oversight. We can explain whether your matter requires document preparation, strategic advice, negotiation or representation, and agree the appropriate scope of work. All work is reviewed and approved by a Costs Lawyer throughout the lifetime of each case.
How we handle your instruction
Establishing the position
We begin by identifying what you need to achieve, any approaching deadlines and the documents required.
For complex instructions, this includes understanding the history of the litigation and any orders, funding issues or budgeting decisions that may affect the costs position.
Agreeing the work and delivery arrangements
We discuss the service required, proposed charges and a realistic delivery timescale. Substantial instructions are assessed individually, rather than treated as interchangeable drafting tasks.
Preparing and reviewing the documents
Our process includes checking the draft before returning it for approval. Where a bill is prepared for formal service, further checking forms part of the process.
Missing records and questions about the basis of a claim are addressed during preparation, helping clients understand issues that may affect recovery or negotiation.
Supporting the next stage
Where instructed, we continue through negotiations and advise on offers, objections and the implications of further proceedings.
If settlement cannot be reached, our costs lawyers can assist with detailed assessment and representation within their authorised scope of practice.
Turnaround times and service level agreements
Clear delivery arrangements help clients manage workloads and court deadlines. Our Data-Ready Checklist identifies the documents and information required for drafting, while our intake Service Level Agreement sets out the requirements for an instruction to be ready for preparation.
Most urgent bills: seven-day turnaround
We provide a seven-day turnaround for most urgent bills of costs where the required documentation and data have been supplied and the instruction meets our intake requirements.
Tell us about any deadline when you first enquire. We will assess the work and confirm whether we can accommodate it.
Standard bills up to £75,000: 14-day turnaround
For non-urgent bills of costs up to £75,000 in value, our standard turnaround is 14 days, subject to the required information being available.
Complete records help avoid delays caused by missing documents or unresolved queries.
Complex and higher-value instructions
For instructions above £75,000, a 14-day turnaround may still be available, depending on complexity and existing commitments.
Substantial bills, extensive records or difficult costs issues may require a bespoke timetable. We discuss these arrangements individually so the delivery plan reflects the preparation and review required.
Exceptional deadline support
Where viable, we may be able to complete an urgent task within 24 hours to assist with a court deadline. Availability must be confirmed, and a bespoke fee may apply where out-of-hours work is required.
Digital working that supports careful preparation
ARC can work with electronic documents, time records and agreed remote access arrangements. This reduces the practical work involved in assembling and transferring files, while allowing us to examine the records needed for costs preparation.
For complex instructions, an organised electronic file can make it easier to identify relevant evidence and resolve queries with the instructing team.
We discuss appropriate transfer methods and access permissions with you. Technology supports the process, while professional judgement remains central to drafting, advice and negotiation.
Results you can examine
A £115,051 bill settled for £57,500
Acting for the paying party, ARC reviewed a substantial costs claim, prepared Points of Dispute and negotiated settlement before the listed detailed assessment hearing.
The agreement reduced the original bill by approximately 50% and excluded interest and additional assessment costs.
Read the paying-party case study.
£220,000 recovered in a complex clinical negligence costs claim
Our published case study explains ARC’s work on a complex clinical negligence costs claim and the preparation and negotiation involved in securing recovery.
Read the clinical negligence case study.
Each matter has its own evidence, procedural position and settlement considerations. These examples help prospective clients understand the work behind the outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does ARC handle complex and high-value costs instructions?
Yes. ARC handles complex and high-value costs matters, including clinical negligence and commercial litigation costs claims.
We assess the records, funding arrangements, relevant orders and disputed issues before agreeing the work required. Preparation, negotiation and delivery arrangements are tailored to the instruction.
Can we instruct ARC for ongoing law firm support?
Yes. We can discuss ongoing drafting and negotiation support alongside individual instructions, including complex matters that require additional specialist input.
Tell us about your practice areas, anticipated volumes, systems and deadlines so we can establish suitable working arrangements.
Do you act for both receiving and paying parties?
Yes. We help receiving parties prepare and pursue costs claims, and paying parties review and challenge the amounts sought.
Our services can include bills of costs, Points of Dispute, Points of Reply, negotiation and detailed assessment support, depending on the instruction.
Can individuals instruct ARC directly?
Yes. We accept enquiries from individuals as well as solicitors and businesses.
If you have received an opponent’s bill or want advice about a solicitor’s charges, send the relevant documents and details of any deadline. These disputes can involve different procedures, so we assess whether we can assist before accepting instructions.
What should I send with a complex instruction?
Start with a summary of the matter, the assistance required and any deadline. Relevant documents may include costs orders, budgets, funding documents, time records, disbursement evidence and correspondence.
We will identify any additional information needed. An organised chronology or explanation of significant developments can also help us understand a substantial file.
Do you provide costs services nationwide?
Yes. ARC supports clients across England and Wales through electronic document transfer and agreed remote working arrangements.
We can discuss how the instruction will be handled and any representation required.
How are your fees agreed?
Charges depend on the scope, complexity and urgency of the work. ARC generally uses hourly rates or fixed fees, with the proposed arrangements discussed before accepting instructions.
Preliminary advice is provided without charge, helping you establish whether further assistance is appropriate.
Discuss your costs matter with ARC Costs
Whether you need a law costs draftsman for document preparation or costs lawyers to assist with a complex dispute, contact our team.
Call 01204 397302 or email info@arccosts.co.uk. Include any approaching deadline so we can assess availability and the support required.