Pattison Hardman was established in 1988 and is the recognised industry leader in legal cost consulting.
Pattison Hardman’s main focus is on quality and timeliness. Our legal costs lawyers and consultants are meticulous in the review of each matter using a thorough quality control process.
Engaging an expert for a specialised task leads to better quality, with no need for rework. Preparation of Affidavits and expert evidence in support of applications for Security of Costs, Gross Lump Sum Costs Orders and Independent Assessors.
The High Court has today handed down the highly anticipated decision in Bell Lawyers Pty Ltd v Janet Pentelow & Anor [2019] HCA 29. The Chorley exception There is a general rule that a self-represented litigant is not entitled to professional costs for acting for himself or herself in legal proceedings. The Chorley exception was…
The perils of issuing a statutory demand for fees In this first of what is likely to be an ongoing series of articles, we look at the matter of Rusca Bros Services Pty Ltd v DLaw Pty Ltd, in the matter of Rusca Bros Services Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 562 determined by Markovic J on…
The importance of understanding Counsel’s costs agreement and the implications to solicitors and their clients cannot be over emphasized. A common term in barrister fee agreements are claims for cancellation fees which can amount to claims by the barrister for considerable amounts of money when they have done nothing. Curiously, learned solicitors who are trained…
The Legal Profession Uniform Law has now been in place for over 2 years, but analysis of those provisions dealing with limitations on filing for assessment of costs raises the real possibility of a law practice being completely cut out from the recovery of legal fees on a solicitor/client basis if the law practice does…
The Grant of Probate and administering the estate of a deceased estate is often common legal work for solicitors. However, since December 1987 the costs of obtaining a grant of probate are regulated and as such often brings into issues in respect of charging for costs and disclosure obligations when the solicitor undertakes significant work in…
The practice of plaintiff personal injury claims continues to provide ongoing issues in the area of costs, no doubt because often the fruits of one’s legal efforts are so inexorably linked to the receipt of the settlement sum. The practitioners act on a speculative basis and thus see settlement fees as ‘pay day’ and wish…
Is a tax invoice an itemised bill? An interesting case came out of Supreme Court Victoria court of Appeal recently addressing what constitutes an itemised bill for the purposes of taxation (in that jurisdiction). The matter of Piper Alderman v Kerryn Linda Smoel And Susan Carolyn Wooster (In Their Capacity As The Trustees Of The…
In Laurens v Laurens (No.2) (FCCA) 109, delivered on 24 January 2017, the learned Judge commences his judgment with the very sentence “This is a cautionary tale for solicitors who hold money on trust for the benefit of both parties in family law proceedings”. The solicitor in question acted for the wife in bitterly fought divorce…
“Without Prejudice” or “Without Prejudice Save As to Costs” What’s the difference? The question was recently considered by the Federal Court of Australia in Romero v Farstad Shipping (Indian Pacific) Pty Ltd (No 4) [2017] FCA 120 handing down it’s judgment on 20 February 2017. This long running and no doubt expensive matter concerned a…
As a general rule solicitors engage barristers to undertake specialized work for their clients. This often requires briefing the barrister to appear at the hearing. In many a barrister’s costs agreement you may find the right to charge a cancellation fee if the hearing does not proceed, especially with more senior barristers, whose daily rate…
Pattison Hardman provide high quality, expert legal cost consulting services. With a commitment to supporting our clients, the specialist team at Pattison Hardman provide expert advice within agreed timeframes enabling clients to focus on their core business.
When faced with a client being required to pay costs, it is a relief to know that there is a respected specialist available to review costs issues and to provide expert advice. At Pattison Hardman we stand by our expertise and service commitment with our free advice hotline.
For all your costs consulting requirements the team at Pattison Hardman are able to provide the necessary expertise and support to streamline and increase the accuracy of your time recording. Our experts provide advice on effective fee setting enabling greater return to you and your clients.
