Paul Markley -v- Lance Mason Limited : Court applies s.74(3) Solicitors Act to restrict base costs to fixed costs recovered from the opponent

We are pleased to now be able to report on this case, which was heard in the High Court in Sheffield on 20^th December 2018.

Mr.Markley instructed Lance Mason Solicitors to represent him in a claim for personal injuries and associated losses arising out of a road traffic accident on 4^th May 2016.

The claim was funded by way of a conditional fee agreement dated 20^th October 2016 which provided for a success fee of 100% of basic charges, capped at 25% of damages.

The claim progressed through the MOJ Portal and a medical report was obtained however due to the Defendant's position and arguments in regards to liability proceedings were issued and Counsel was instructed to attend a Quantum Hearing which resulted in judgment for the Claimant in the sum of £2000.00.

The Defendant received fixed costs from the opposing party, being £750 plus VAT in respect of profit costs and deducted £883.90 being a success fee of £500 inclusive of VAT and an ATE premium of £383.90.

The Defendant's statute bill claimed base costs of £4,162.50 (22.5 hours at £185).

On a paper assessment the Court found largely for the Defendant on the points of principle, albeit reducing the time claimed to a more reasonable 12 hours.

At the oral hearing on 20^th December, the Court agreed with the Claimant's position, namely that s.74(3) Solicitors Act 1974 applied –

s.74(3) The amount which may be allowed on the assessment of any costs or bill of costs in respect of any item relating to proceedings in the county court shall not, except in so far as rules of court may otherwise provide, exceed the amount which could have been allowed in respect of that item as between party and party in those proceedings, having regard to the nature of the proceedings and the amount of the claim and of any counterclaim.

 As a consequence base costs were reduced from £4,162.50 (or from the £2,040 that had been allowed on the paper assessment) to £750.00, and Mr.Markley was entitled to a modest refund of overpaid costs.