Latest News

Consultation: Costs Lawyer Code of Conduct

19th May 2023
The CLSB has opened a consultation on changes to the Costs Lawyer Code of Conduct, the core principles of professional conduct to which Costs Lawyers must adhere, fostering public confidence in individual practitioners and the profession as a whole. From 2019 to 2023, the CLSB carried out a systematic […]

Vacancy: Director of Policy

5th April 2023
The CLSB is looking for an experienced regulatory policy expert to join our small collaborative team as Director of Policy, working flexibly approximately two days per week. The job description, person specification and application process are available here. Deadline for applications: 30 April 2023.

Approval of new Training Rules

20th February 2023
The Legal Services Board has approved new Training Rules for Costs Lawyers. The Training Rules are part of the new qualification framework developed by the CLSB, which aims to ensure prospective Costs Lawyers receive high quality, relevant training and assessment, and to assure the CLSB that every graduate is […]

CLSB regulatory performance

12th January 2023
The Legal Services Board has published a report of its November 2022 assessments, showing the CLSB is the only legal regulator providing sufficient assurance across all of the standards. The report says the CLSB is a “well-run regulator” and “has been able to demonstrate a range of good practices […]

Outcome of the consultation on regulatory arrangements for the Costs Lawyer Qualification

1st November 2022
CLSB has published the outcome of our consultation on the regulatory arrangements for the Costs Lawyer Qualification. Thank you to everyone who responded. In light of the responses, we intend to implement the qualification framework as proposed in the Scheme Handbook, subject to the amendments described in the consultation […]

Costs Lawyer practising certificate fee 2023

27th October 2022
Following public consultation, the Legal Services Board has approved a practising fee of £281 for Costs Lawyers in 2023. The LSB’s Decision Note can be viewed here. Applications for 2023 practising certificates will be sent to currently regulated Costs Lawyers by email in early November.

Consultation: Regulatory arrangements for the Costs Lawyer Qualification

24th August 2022
The CLSB has opened a consultation on changes to its regulatory rules for the Costs Lawyers Qualification (CLQ), which is the professional qualification that an individual must obtain before they can practise as an authorised Costs Lawyer. The proposed changes are intended to align the CLQ with the new […]

Consultation: Disciplinary Rules and Procedures

29th July 2022
The CLSB has opened a consultation on changes to the Disciplinary Rules and Procedures for Costs Lawyers, following a scheduled review, to better align our processes with those of the Legal Ombudsman. The full consultation paper explains the proposed changes and raises questions that you might like to consider as […]

Consultation on the practising fee for Cost Lawyers in 2023

21st July 2022
The CLSB has opened a consultation on the 2023 practising certificate fee for Costs Lawyers. The CLSB proposes to keep the fee static at £281. The consultation paper provides further information about how the fee is set, collected and used. Views on the proposals are sought from Costs Lawyers and […]

How could Costs Lawyers reduce the costs of legal services?

23rd June 2022
The CLSB has published its final report from its project funded by the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund: How could Costs Lawyers reduce the costs of legal services? The project, guided by the CLSB’s framework for good consumer outcomes and the Competition and Markets Authority’s findings in its Market Study on […]

CLSB responds to oversight body’s plans on ongoing competence

10th March 2022
The CLSB has published its response to the Legal Services Board’s consultation on a draft statement of policy, aimed at ensuring ongoing competence of legal professionals. The CLSB welcomes the LSB’s research and leadership in this area, but has warned the oversight body against being overly prescriptive and adopting […]

UK government sanctions on Russia: implications for Costs Lawyers

4th March 2022
The CLSB is advising all Costs Lawyers to be alert to any implications for their practice arising from the UK Government’s recent announcement of sanctions on Russia. All Costs Lawyers must play their part in safeguarding the UK and protecting the reputation of the legal services industry. Breaching the […]

Outcome of the consultation on the Costs Lawyer Competency Statement

2nd February 2022
CLSB has published a new Competency Statement for Costs Lawyers at the point of qualification. Thank you to everyone who responded to our consultation on the draft statement for such constructive and helpful feedback, which we took on board in producing the final version. The consultation outcome report has […]

CLSB assessed as meeting all of its regulatory performance standards

22nd December 2021
Today, the Legal Services Board announced that the CLSB is one of only three legal regulators to be assessed as meeting all of its regulatory performance standards. The LSB said: “This is the culmination of CLSB’s turnaround from a total of nine not met outcomes, to now meeting all […]

Costs Lawyer practising certificate fee 2022

13th October 2021
Following public consultation, the Legal Services Board has approved a practising fee of £281 for Costs Lawyers in 2022. The LSB’s Decision Note can be viewed here. Applications for 2022 practising certificates will be sent to currently regulated Costs Lawyers by email in early November.

How could Costs Lawyers reduce the costs of legal services?

16th September 2021
The Costs Lawyer Standards Board has secured funding from the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund for an innovative new project: How could Costs Lawyers reduce the costs of legal services? The CLSB, guided by its framework for good consumer outcomes and the Competition and Markets Authority’s findings in its Market Study […]

Consultation on Costs Lawyer Competency Statement

1st September 2021
Following an extensive programme of research and engagement in early 2021, we have today published a consultation on a proposed new Competency Statement for Costs Lawyers. The Competency Statement sets out the knowledge and skills that Costs Lawyers must possess at the point of qualifying into the profession and […]

Become a board member of the LSB

29th July 2021
The Ministry of Justice is currently recruiting for a non-lay board member of the Legal Services Board (LSB). This role is open to Costs Lawyers and we would encourage anyone who is interested to apply. Full details are available on the Public Appointments website. The LSB is hosting a […]

Results of second coronavirus impact survey

30th April 2021
Results are in from our recent survey asking Costs Lawyers how Covid-19 is impacting their practice. Overall, the profession is faring very well, but there are still pockets of practitioners who are worried about the future. The survey covered personal and practice area impacts felt during 2020, predictions for […]

Next Chair of CLSB Board

22nd February 2021
We are pleased to announce the appointment of the next Chair of the CLSB board, David Heath CBE. David has a long history of public service, including as a former government Minister and Deputy Leader of the House of Commons. David also brings a wealth of experience in regulation […]