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 matter of Alexiou v Alexandra White and ors t/as HWL Ebsworth Lawyers [2021] NSWSC 485 handed down on 7 May 2021 examines the oft fraught question as to ownership of file notes made by a solicitor in the course of representation and whether a solicitor is entitled to charge a former client for the…
The central issue in Behnia v Sarraf [2019] NSWDC 138, was where a final order is made does it override an earlier costs orders. In Behnia the final order in the Supreme Court proceedings was by consent and with an order that each party pay their own costs of the proceedings. At the time there was an existing order which the consent orders did not…
Meaningful Disclosure -Section 174(3) – A Victorian Perspective In my previous article I examined the Judgment of Walton J in Malvina Park Pty Ltd v Johnson [2019] NSWSC 1490 wherein the plaintiff unsuccessfully sought to rely on Frigger v Madgwicks, [2018] VSC 281 The below examines Frigger and highlights the difference of interpretation being applied…
MEANINGFUL DISCLOSURE -SECTION 174(3) OF LPUL Division 3 of Part 4.3 of the LPUL is styled “costs disclosure”. Section 174(3) sits within and creates an obligation that did not exist under its predecessor, namely that: (3) Client’s consent and understanding If a disclosure is made under subsection (1), the law practice must take all reasonable…
Rose Bilson (a Pseudonym) -v- Domini Esposito Solicitors S ECI 2019 03598, is a decision from the Costs Court in Victoria and is a decision of a Judicial Registrar. It does raise important thoughts about lawyers retaining another lawyer/Legal Practice, not in the capacity of doing specialised work, such as a barrister or a tax…
From Allocatur to Incipitur We are now seeing the effect of the (not quite so) recent changes to the Civil Procedure Act 2005 being applied in cost assessments in relation to interest. S101(4) of the CPA now reads: (4) Unless the court orders otherwise, interest is payable on an amount payable under an order for…
A retainer with a law firm is a contract. Like most contracts, the parties’ rights are also impacted by the overlay of statue law which may imply contractual terms. An example is a prohibition on misleading a person as required under the Australian Consumer Law. A costs agreement with a law practice may also have to…
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…
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.
