CLSB Update – June 2026
From the CEO
Last month we shared our regular newsletter however it remains a busy time for the legal sector and costs law. Since we issued the last newsletter we have published the annual Risk Outlook and want to remind you about key activities and engagement opportunities as we are keen to hear what you think.
Paul Mosson
CEO
Regulatory News
Annual Risk Outlook 2026 now published
We have published the Annual Risk Outlook for 2026 on our website. With domestic and global landscapes shifting rapidly, this is as accurate as possible on the date of publication.
The fourth annual risk outlook, commissioned by the CLSB and developed by Hook Tangaza, offers a high-level overview of key drivers of change in the wider world that may pose risks, or create opportunities, for Costs Lawyers and organisations operating in legal costs. These fall into five broad categories: political, economic, social, environmental, and technology.
While not all factors will be equally relevant to every practitioner, our aim is to encourage critical thinking and help you plan strategically for the future.
To download the report you will need to login using the email address to which this Update was sent, and use the password you have set previously, or use the forgot password link to set a new one.
Communicating the value of regulation in costs law
We need your help to tell the story about why choosing to be or use a Costs Lawyer over an unregulated costs advisor is important. The CLSB has appointed Helen Squared to help us and they need to hear from you. Please share your views here.
The qualification you hold, your authorisation under the Legal Services Act 2007, and the standards you work to are meaningful. But too few people outside the profession understand the difference between a regulated Costs Lawyer and an unregulated costs provider. We want to change that, and we want every member of the Costs Lawyer profession to feel proud to say they are regulated by the CLSB.
Helen Burness and Helen Foord of Helen Squared, experts in helping legal professional bodies find the right language to explain what they stand for, need to hear from you. Please consider sharing your views here and you are welcome to follow Helen Squared on LinkedIn.
Join us online on 22 June to discuss the proposed changes to the practising arrangements
Last month we opened up two consultations on changes to the Practising Rules and the Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. These directly impact you as a Costs Lawyer. If you have questions that are not addressed in the consultation documents, we are holding an online meeting exclusively for Costs Lawyers on 22 June 2026 at 14.00.
If you are interested in joining this online event, please email [email protected]. Please come along and put your questions and feedback to us. This is an exclusive opportunity for Costs Lawyers only to engage directly with us as your regulator on changes that will impact your practising arrangements.
Consultations on proposed changes to the practising arrangements
We have highlighted the changes we propose in the tables in the consultation documents, and included a full version of how each would look if the changes are approved. The CLSB must follow a procedure that involves meaningful consultation prior to submitting an application to the Legal Services Board (LSB). The consultation will close on 7 August 2026 at 5pm.
Updated guidance for costs law firms and on reserved legal activity rights
Following the Court of Appeal’s ruling in the Mazur case, we have reviewed our Guidance Note for Costs Law Firms and our Guidance Note on Reserved Legal Activities to introduce greater clarity regarding delegation of work in support of reserved legal activity. Please read this to ensure you understand what is expected of you.
The changes to the Guidance Note for Costs Law Firms set out how those who work in Costs Law firms with Costs Lawyers and unregulated costs advisors and other colleagues can ensure they are delegating work appropriately.
We have also made changes to the Guidance Note on Reserved Legal Activity Rights that we encourage all Costs Lawyers to review.