Robert Collington – Costs Lawyer and Director

Robert Collington is a qualified Costs Lawyer at ARC Costs, with over 15 years of experience in the legal costs profession. Having qualified as a Costs Lawyer in 2020, Robert has developed extensive knowledge of costs law, civil procedure and the technical challenges involved in recovering, assessing and disputing legal costs.

His experience spans a broad range of legal costs matters, from publicly funded work and legal aid billing to complex inter partes costs disputes involving substantial Bills of Costs, contested assessments and difficult questions of recoverability.

Robert combines detailed technical knowledge with a practical, commercially focused approach, recognising that successful costs management requires more than simply preparing accurate documentation. It also involves understanding the underlying litigation, identifying potential areas of dispute and developing an appropriate strategy for achieving the best possible outcome.

Extensive Experience Across Legal Costs

Throughout his career, Robert has gained experience across a wide range of legal costs disciplines, working with solicitors and other legal professionals on matters involving different funding arrangements, procedural requirements and levels of complexity.

His areas of expertise include:

• Inter partes costs recovery: Preparing and assessing costs claims arising from civil litigation, including disputes concerning reasonableness, proportionality and recoverability.

• Legal aid costs: Assisting with publicly funded matters, including legal aid billing, costs claims and the particular requirements associated with Legal Aid Agency procedures.

• Bills of Costs: Preparing and reviewing detailed and electronic Bills of Costs, including complex matters involving extensive time records, multiple fee earners and substantial disbursements.

• Costs budgeting: Advising on Precedent H costs budgets, budget preparation, costs management and the implications of approved or agreed budgets.

• Points of Dispute and Points of Reply: Identifying and addressing technical challenges to costs claims, including disputes over hourly rates, time spent, duplication and proportionality.

• Detailed assessment: Assisting with the preparation, negotiation and resolution of contested legal costs claims under the Civil Procedure Rules.

• Costs negotiations: Evaluating costs claims and pursuing commercially sensible settlements that reflect the strengths, risks and likely assessment outcomes.

Robert’s broad experience enables him to consider legal costs matters from different perspectives, including the position of both receiving and paying parties.

Complex and High-Value Legal Costs Disputes

Robert has particular expertise in matters where the recoverability of costs is disputed or the issues involved require detailed consideration of the applicable rules, relevant authorities and underlying litigation.

Complex costs disputes frequently involve more than disagreements about individual entries within a Bill of Costs.

They may raise questions concerning the enforceability or interpretation of retainers, the appropriate basis of assessment, costs management orders, proportionality, hourly rates or the recoverability of particular categories of expenditure.

In high-value litigation, these issues can have significant financial consequences for the parties involved.

Robert approaches such matters by examining the relevant documentation, identifying the key legal and procedural issues and considering how they may affect the overall costs position.

His understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules and the principles governing costs assessment allows him to approach technically demanding matters with care and precision.

He recognises the importance of distinguishing between issues that may materially affect the outcome and those that could generate unnecessary expense if pursued disproportionately.

Legal Aid Costs and Publicly Funded Matters

Alongside his experience in privately funded litigation, Robert has developed knowledge of legal aid costs and the requirements associated with publicly funded legal work.

Legal aid billing can involve distinct rules, funding arrangements and assessment procedures, requiring careful attention to the work undertaken and the applicable remuneration provisions.

Robert understands the importance of accurate costs preparation and compliance with the relevant Legal Aid Agency requirements.

His experience across both legal aid and inter partes costs provides a broader perspective on legal costs recovery and the interaction between different funding arrangements.

This is particularly valuable in matters where publicly funded work also gives rise to an entitlement to recover costs from another party.

Inter Partes Costs and Detailed Assessment

Inter partes costs recovery is a significant area of Robert’s professional experience.

Where one party is entitled to recover costs from another, the amount payable may be subject to negotiation or detailed assessment.

These disputes can involve substantial documentation and complex arguments concerning the reasonableness and proportionality of the costs claimed.

Robert’s work includes reviewing Bills of Costs, examining time records, considering the recoverability of disbursements and assessing the merits of disputed items.

He also has experience with the procedural requirements associated with Points of Dispute, Points of Reply and detailed assessment proceedings.

His approach is informed by an understanding of how costs arguments may be considered during assessment and the importance of ensuring that positions are properly supported.

Whether acting in connection with costs recovery or a challenge to the amount claimed, Robert focuses on achieving outcomes that are both legally sound and commercially appropriate.

A Practical and Commercial Approach

Robert understands that legal costs disputes can have a significant impact on the financial outcome of litigation.

For solicitors seeking recovery, delays or unnecessary reductions can affect profitability and cash flow. For paying parties, an excessive costs claim can create substantial financial exposure.

He therefore approaches each instruction with an appreciation of both the technical issues and the wider commercial considerations.

His work involves assessing the available evidence, identifying the principal points of contention and considering the most proportionate route towards resolution.

Robert places particular importance on accuracy, clear communication and providing practical guidance that allows clients to make informed decisions.

Professional Qualifications

Qualified Costs Lawyer: 2020

Legal Costs Experience: Over 15 years

Professional Regulation: Costs Lawyers are regulated by the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB).

Outside of Work

Outside his professional career, Robert enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle and regularly spends time at the gym.

He also enjoys being outdoors and making the most of his free time with his wife and three children.

Articles and Legal Costs Insights

Robert contributes to ARC Costs’ legal costs content, sharing his knowledge of costs law, procedural developments, significant court decisions and practical issues affecting legal costs recovery.

His articles aim to provide solicitors and other legal professionals with clear, accessible information on complex costs matters.

Contact ARC Costs

To discuss a legal costs matter or enquire about instructing Robert Collington, contact ARC Costs.

Telephone: 01204 397302

Email: info@arccosts.co.uk

Contact ARC Costs to discuss your requirements.

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