A clinical negligence claim can involve years of investigation, extensive medical records and evidence from several expert disciplines. Recovering the resulting legal costs requires a clear account of why that work was necessary and how it relates to the claim.

ARC Costs supports solicitors with clinical negligence costs budgets, bills, negotiation and assessment. Our costs draftsmen and costs lawyers handle complex, high-value instructions, examining the records, funding arrangements and procedural history before preparing the claim.

Whether you need assistance with an individual matter or ongoing support for your department, we discuss the scope, charges and delivery arrangements at the outset.

Call 01204 397302 or email info@arccosts.co.uk.

Costs preparation that reflects the clinical issues

Clinical negligence litigation often requires substantial work before liability, causation and the extent of injury can be established. The costs presentation should explain the demands of the case.

We consider the chronology, expert involvement, document volumes and significant developments. This helps distinguish justified investigation from entries that require clarification or further evidence.

For substantial instructions, we work with the litigation team to understand difficult aspects of the file. Clear explanations are particularly valuable where the paying party challenges expert expenditure, medical record analysis or conferences involving several professionals.

Clinical negligence costs budgets

A realistic budget should reflect the proposed directions and evidence required. Estimates need to account for expert disciplines, witnesses, disclosure and trial preparation.

ARC prepares costs budgets and Precedent H, assists with budget discussions and advises on revisions where significant developments warrant them.

Early involvement allows time to examine assumptions with your team. This is useful where the future course of the litigation depends on unresolved medical evidence or alternative directions.

Bills of costs for complex claims

Our bill of costs preparation service examines time records, orders, funding documents and disbursements alongside the history of the proceedings.

We prepare the bill in the appropriate format, raise queries and review the draft before finalisation. Where budgeting applies, we consider the relationship between the budget, subsequent orders and the costs claimed.

The objective is a supported presentation of the work undertaken, providing a sound basis for negotiation.

Negotiation and detailed assessment

Clinical negligence costs disputes can involve challenges to hourly rates, expert fees, staffing and proportionality. We assess objections against the evidence and advise on responses and settlement offers.

Our support can continue through detailed assessment proceedings and representation within our costs lawyers’ authorised scope.

We consider the likely financial benefit of continuing alongside further expense and uncertainty. A negotiated resolution may be appropriate, but it should be informed by preparation and a clear understanding of the disputed issues.

Case study: £220,000 recovered

ARC prepared a bill of approximately £233,000 following a complex childbirth negligence claim involving several expert disciplines.

The defendant challenged rates, expert expenditure and aspects of the time claimed. ARC prepared replies and negotiated settlement at £220,000, representing more than 94% of the bill, without a contested assessment hearing.

Read the clinical negligence costs case study.

This illustrates one outcome; recovery in another matter depends on its evidence and procedural position.

Understanding the wider costs landscape

The cost of clinical negligence claims attracts scrutiny because it affects patients, legal practices and NHS resources.

The Department of Health and Social Care has published proposals concerning fixed recoverable costs in lower-value clinical negligence claims. Policy announcements should be distinguished from the rules applicable to a particular instruction.

We assess the relevant costs regime rather than assuming every clinical claim follows the same route.

Efforts to improve patient safety and patient care remain important to the wider discussion, but aggregate spending figures do not establish whether individual legal costs are justified.

Our clinical negligence legal costs statistics article examines published data and explains its limitations.

Frequently asked questions

Do you handle high-value clinical negligence matters?

Yes. ARC handles complex instructions involving extensive records, multiple experts and contested costs issues. Preparation and delivery arrangements reflect the work required.

Who provides specialist oversight?

Director Robert Collington has worked in costs since 2010 and qualified as a costs lawyer in 2020. His experience includes complex clinical negligence costs matters.

What documents should we provide?

Supply relevant orders, funding documents, time records, budgets and disbursement invoices, together with a summary and deadlines. We identify further requirements after review.

How are timescales agreed?

We assess complexity, document readiness and availability before confirming delivery. Substantial instructions may require a bespoke timetable.

Discuss your instruction

Contact 01204 397302 or info@arccosts.co.uk for clinical negligence costs support.