What is the Costs Lawyer Handbook?

The Costs Lawyer Handbook contains the core regulatory rules that apply to all Costs Lawyers. If you are new to the Costs Lawyer Handbook, we suggest you start by looking at the Costs Lawyer Code of Conduct, which establishes the principles of professional conduct by which Costs Lawyers must abide.

There are additional CLSB rules that are not contained in the Costs Lawyer Handbook, because they are only relevant in certain situations and do not apply to everyone. These include the Training Rules, the Accredited Costs Lawyer Rules and the Recognition of European Professional Qualification Rules.

The Costs Lawyer Handbook also contains guidance notes covering a variety of topics. The content of the Costs Lawyer Handbook (i.e. the regulatory rules and guidance notes) can be accessed using the links below.

Regulatory rules

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Code of Conduct 208.89 KB

Sets out the seven principles of professional conduct

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Practising Rules 392.85 KB

Establish the criteria for practising as a Costs Lawyer.

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Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Rules 259.27 KB

Contain requirements for continual learning.

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Disciplinary Rules and Procedures 354.56 KB

Specify the processes for handling breaches of the regulatory rules.

    Guidance

    The Costs Lawyer Handbook also contains guidance notes on various topics. These are designed to:

    • help Costs Lawyers meet their regulatory obligations in practice;
    • help the public understand what they can expect from a Costs Lawyer;
    • clarify a Costs Lawyer’s responsibilities under our regulatory rules or under other laws and regulations.

    The guidance notes are intended for interpretive purposes; they are not a statement of the law and they do not replace our regulatory rules.

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    After the Event (ATE) Insurance 481.76 KB

    20 January 2021

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    Anti-Money Laundering 452.05 KB

    21 July 2020

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    Client Care Letters 606.64 KB

    21 April 2021

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    Closing Down a Practice 456.32 KB

    21 July 2021

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    Complaints Procedures 595.91 KB

    1 April 2023

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    Conditions on Practising 484.26 KB

    21 July 2020

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    Conflicts of Interest 522.08 KB

    21 April 2021

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    Contingency Retainers (CFAs and DBAs) 481.56 KB

    20 October 2020

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    Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 551.96 KB

    1 January 2021

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    Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Suggested template for planning and recording CPD 38.49 KB

    1 January 2021

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    Costs Lawyers in SRA Regulated Firms 423.27 KB

    22 April 2020

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    Executing Legal Documents and Right to Administer Oaths 477.40 KB

    20 October 2021

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    Handling Client Money (Principle 3.6) 489.52 KB

    20 October 2020

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    Indemnity Insurance 473.65 KB

    20 March 2023

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    Price Transparency (through websites and promotional material) 547.25 KB

    21 April 2021

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    Pro Bono Work 435.73 KB

    20 October 2021

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    Referral Arrangements and Referral Fees 437.26 KB

    20 October 2020

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    Reserved Legal Activity Rights 537.19 KB

    24 February 2020

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    Retention of Client Data and Files 393.51 KB

    21 July 2020

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    Unregulated Employers of Costs Lawyers 521.13 KB

    21 July 2021

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    Vulnerable Consumers 450.56 KB

    20 October 2021

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    Working as a Costs Lawyer Outside England and Wales 442.33 KB

    18 May 2021