Why become a Costs Lawyer

What Costs Lawyers do

Costs Lawyers are highly specialist lawyers working in the practice area of legal costs. Their work can be very varied. Costs Lawyers may be involved from the start of cases through to final resolution and beyond, when costs are in dispute.

Costs Lawyers are required to have knowledge of many different elements of legal practice, and they will develop their skills and expertise throughout their career. Costs Lawyers are increasingly undertaking complex, high value work for an ever-widening range of clients, including other legal practitioners, businesses and individuals.

To find out more about what Costs Lawyers do, see our Frequently Asked Questions or visit the Association of Costs Lawyers’ website.

How a Costs Lawyer is different to unregulated advisers

There are certain types of work relating to legal costs that any service provider can carry out, without the need to have a specialist qualification or comply with regulatory rules. This work may be carried out by unregulated advisers (such as costs draftsmen) or regulated providers who are not legal experts (such as accountants).

As a Costs Lawyer, you will be able to carry out certain reserved activities that only a qualified and regulated lawyer is eligible to undertake. This will enable you to provide an end-to-end specialist service for your clients. On qualification, you can apply to the CLSB for a practising certificate that enables you to carry out the following reserved legal activities under the Legal Services Act 2007:

  • the exercise of a right of audience;
  • the conduct of litigation; and
  • the administration of oaths

Other benefits of regulation

In addition to being able to carry out reserved activities and provide an expanded range of services to your clients, other benefits of being regulated include:

  • being recognised as a legal services professional, along with solicitors, barristers, notaries and other respected groups of legal practitioners
  • inspiring trust and confidence in your clients, who know that you must adhere to ethical principles and other regulatory rules, which are designed to minimise the chances of something going wrong and protect clients’ interests
  • being able to charge higher fees, reflecting your enhanced level of knowledge, expertise and professional conduct
  • increasing your employment and promotion prospects
  • having access to guidance and services for both yourself and your clients, including the dispute resolution scheme of the Legal Ombudsman and the services of LawCare