We have significant experience in drafting costs budgets, undertaking budget discussions with our clients’ opponents and attending costs and case management hearings on our clients’ behalf.  Due to the level of our experience, we are able to make accurate predictions as to the likely levels of phased costs permitted by the courts in respect of both parties’ costs budgets and are able to make strong arguments as to proportionality as per CPR 44.3(5), both at hearings and during budget discussions.

All of our Costs Lawyers and Costs Draftsmen are extremely experienced, which enables them to offer a high-quality drafting service and tailor their work to the specific requirements of each client and the particular case in hand, producing detailed and accurate bills of costs in any type of matter, including phased bills where a case has been subject to a costs management order.  The types of claim in which we have experience include:

• Complex commercial litigation
• Catastrophic injury
• Road traffic accidents
• Clinical negligence
• Occupiers’ liability
• Public liability
• Employers’ liability
• Industrial injuries
• Disease claims
• Product liability
• Property damage
• Matters relating to the Court of Protection

In order to minimise unnecessary costs and enable early resolution, at Deep Blue Costs we focus on the issues between the parties from the outset when considering and making offers of settlement. We believe that clear, concise and well-reasoned initial negotiation can elicit a favourable response in a quick and costs-efficient manner.  Where there is difficulty in reaching agreement, we will give accurate valuations to our clients and take into account their preferred method of concluding matters prior to proceeding to assessment.

Especially in cases where an opponent’s bill of costs is to be provisionally assessed, it is vital to be able to present strong, reasoned and accurate arguments in points of dispute.  Our Costs Lawyers and Costs Draftsmen are able to prepare written submissions of the highest standard, which fully address the issues between the parties and thereby enable the court to fully appreciate the challenges being raised.

Prior to incurring the costs of drafting points of dispute, consideration will always be given as to whether this is the best course of action for the client, or whether the more sensible and cost-effective approach would be to reach amicable agreement.

At Deep Blue Costs we ensure that the paying party’s points of dispute are analysed correctly and rebutted effectively. Points of Reply are clear, concise, persuasive and rooted in detail, thereby providing effective arguments which enable us to overcome disputes raised by the paying party.

We understand our client’s need for cash flow and as the receiving party Deep Blue Costs will always request an Interim Payment on Account of Costs. We have vast experience in securing Interim Payments on Account of Costs, and even at times have done so prior to serving the Bill of Costs. Furthermore, should the paying party resist a reasonable request for an Interim Payment pursuant to CPR 44.2(8), we are able to assist in preparing an Application for an Interim Payment on Account of Costs and would attend any subsequent hearing on your behalf.

Deep Blue Costs provides a national advocacy service for Costs and Case Management Conferences, appeals from Provisional Assessment and Detailed Assessment Hearings for bills in excess of £75,000.

With experience of attending hundreds of Detailed Assessment Hearings we are skilled in our representation and adept at dealing with technical challenges.

We have particular expertise in respect of Commercial Litigation, Employment Law, Public Liability Cases, Clinical Negligence, Catastrophic Injury, High Value Cases, Group Litigation and cases with complex medical evidence.

We also have strong links with senior Costs Barristers should this be a more efficient way in which to ensure your interests are effectively advocated.

Deep Blue Costs offers a consultancy service. As experts in the field of costs we are able to assist you in determining the most effective way in which to structure your organisation and manage your processes.

This includes:

Streamlining departments – for example, whether or not internal costs departments are optimally structured to deal effectively with the challenges of costs negotiations.

Process design and development – our service is aimed at assisting our clients to focus their resources in the most effective manner, with a view to achieving effective management of costs litigation.

File management – Key to effective management of cost negotiation is the quality of the case file. It is essential to record key information to provide a measure of the effectiveness of work undertaken and decisions made in the management of litigation.

Time recording – We are able to provide assistance in advising as to best practice in order to ensure that time spent is recovered.

Training – Deep Blue Costs can provide training to staff to ensure that the foundations are put in place during litigation to protect your position in respect of costs. We are also able to assist in training staff to manage costs negotiations internally.

Deep Blue Costs offers auditing services to assist in business management, sales and acquisitions.  Our services in this regard include:

• Auditing files to ensure that cases are being properly managed
• Reviewing current suppliers
• Assisting in ascertaining the true value of files in cases which are to be sold
• In relation to potential acquisitions, giving consideration to the condition of the case file, whether or not costs incurred are recoverable, whether there might be any technical breaches which will prevent their recovery and whether or not time has been properly recorded.

For larger files or multiple files, we are able to offer a secure, fast and free file collection service.

Please contact us to discuss your instruction and to arrange collection of your files.