A bill has been served, objections have been raised and the parties remain apart. Continuing without a clear strategy can delay payment, increase expense and make settlement harder.

ARC Costs provides legal costs negotiation for solicitors, businesses and individuals across England and Wales. Our costs lawyers and costs draftsmen assist receiving parties pursuing recovery and paying parties challenging the amounts sought.

We handle individual instructions, ongoing law firm support and complex disputes involving substantial bills. Our advice considers the evidence, procedural position and financial implications of accepting an offer or proceeding to assessment.

Call 01204 397302 or email info@arccosts.co.uk to discuss your matter.

Negotiation starts with understanding the claim

Effective costs negotiations require more than exchanging figures. We examine the costs order, bill of costs, funding arrangements, objections and supporting documents to establish the strengths and weaknesses.

Where an approved budget is relevant, we consider the costs management position alongside the final claim. We also identify missing evidence and issues needing clarification.

This analysis helps establish a reasoned settlement position. It gives clients a basis for decisions rather than assuming the midpoint between competing offers is appropriate.

Recovering costs for receiving parties

The successful party may have an entitlement to costs without agreement on the amount payable. Receiving parties need to justify the claim while considering the expense of pursuing it.

ARC examines objections, advises on supporting evidence and prepares replies where instructed. We explain which challenges warrant a response and where concessions may be sensible.

Our approach considers recovery and timing together. A higher offer is not necessarily better if obtaining it requires disproportionate expenditure or avoidable delay.

Where preparation is also required, our costs drafting service can support the claim from the outset.

Negotiations on behalf of paying parties

Being the losing party does not mean accepting every item claimed. Liability depends on the relevant order and applicable costs rules.

When conducting negotiations on behalf of paying parties, we examine rates, time, duplication, disbursements and recoverability. We identify objections supported by the circumstances and advise on their likely financial significance.

Our Points of Dispute service can formalise those challenges where required. Settlement discussions remain aligned with procedural deadlines, so negotiations do not leave the response timetable unattended.

Deciding whether to settle

Before recommending a negotiated settlement, we consider the likely outcome, further fees, assessment risk and terms of the offer.

We explain whether proposals include interest and assessment costs, and identify qualifications needing resolution. We can also advise on settlement offers carrying potential costs consequences.

You retain the decision on settlement. Our role is to provide the analysis needed to make it and conduct negotiations within the authority agreed.

Experience demonstrated through case studies

£220,000 recovered in clinical negligence costs

ARC prepared a bill of approximately £233,000 following complex childbirth litigation. The defendant disputed rates, expert expenditure and time.

Replies and negotiations resulted in settlement at £220,000 without a contested hearing.

Read the clinical negligence case study.

A £115,051 bill reduced to £57,500

Acting for the paying party, ARC reviewed a substantial claim, prepared objections and continued negotiations before the listed hearing.

Settlement at £57,500 excluded interest and additional assessment costs.

Read the paying-party case study.

These examples illustrate particular outcomes, rather than guarantees for other instructions.

If negotiations do not resolve the dispute

Some matters require court determination. Preparation should therefore support both settlement and the possibility of assessment.

We advise on unresolved issues and whether further proceedings are commercially justified. Our costs lawyers can assist with detailed assessment and representation within their authorised scope.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take over existing negotiations?

Yes, subject to reviewing the documents, timetable and availability. Provide offers, correspondence and any objections or replies so we can assess the current position.

Do we need ARC to draft the bill first?

No. We can review an existing bill prepared by your team or another costs draftsman before agreeing the negotiation instruction.

Can you support our law firm regularly?

Yes. We can discuss recurring instructions, reporting arrangements and responsibilities alongside assistance with individual disputes.

How are charges agreed?

Fees depend on scope and complexity. We discuss the proposed charging arrangements before accepting instructions.

Instruct our legal costs negotiators

Whether you’re waiting for payment or facing a bill you believe is too high, we can help you work out where you stand and what to do next.

You don’t need to arrive with every answer. Tell us what has happened, send the documents you have and flag any approaching deadline. We’ll discuss how we can help and what the work would cost.

Contact 01204 397302 or info@arccosts.co.uk for legal costs negotiation support.