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Pattison Hardman
Legal Costs Consultants | Legal Costing Services
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    • Bill Of Costs
      • Party/Party Costs
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      • Solicitor Client Costs
      • Objections and Concessions
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    • Expert Evidence
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      • Review of internal cost structures
      • Advice on large-scale litigation
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  • Our Team
    • Suzanne Ward
    • Charles Ackroyd
    • Paul Taylor
    • Katie Cerexhe
    • Suzanne Krieke
    • Kate Chan
    • David Swain
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    • Anna Cox
    • Kelly El Hitti
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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.

Bill of Costs

Preparation of Bill of Costs (Solicitor/Client and Party/Party) and objections

Expert Evidence

Preparation of Affidavits in Support of Applications for Security of Costs, Gross Lump Sum Costs Orders and Independent Assessments

Cost Consultancy

Review of internal cost structures and advice on large scale litigation and Class Actions

Costs Recovery

Recovery of costs determinations providing an end-to-end service

Cases & Articles

  • A fool for a client – Chorley expunged!

    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…

    By Charles Ackroyd
  • The perils of issuing a statutory demand for fees

    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…

    By Charles Ackroyd
  • “From an instructing solicitor’s point of view, if such cancellation fees are sought from barristers, it would be prudent for the solicitor to require the client to enter into a separate agreement direct with the barrister or alternatively require the barrister to indemnify the solicitor against any repayment of fees…should the cancellation fee be challenged.”

    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…

    By Paul Taylor
  • 12 MONTH LIMITATION ON ASSESSMENT OF SOLICITOR CLIENT COSTS

    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…

    By Paul Taylor
  • DEATH, PROBATE, ADMINISTRATION AND SOLICITOR’S COSTS

    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…

    By Paul Taylor
  • Itemized Bill of Costs – Solicitor’s Duties to Provide itemised bills to their Client

    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…

    By Paul Taylor
  • When is a tax invoice an “itemised bill”

    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…

    By Charles Ackroyd
  • Cautionary tale for solicitors who hold money on trust in Family Law proceedings

    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…

    By Paul Taylor
  • “Without Prejudice” or “Without Prejudice Save As to Costs”

    “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…

    By Charles Ackroyd
  • BARRISTER’S CANCELLATION FEES – PAYMENT FOR ONE’S NON-SERVICE!

    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…

    By Charles Ackroyd

Expertise

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.

Our Services

Bill of Costs
Expert Evidence
Cost Consultancy
Cost Recovery
Our Latest Posts
  • A fool for a client – Chorley expunged!
    September 4, 2019
  • The perils of issuing a statutory demand for fees
    May 31, 2019
  • “From an instructing solicitor’s point of view, if such cancellation fees are sought from barristers, it would be prudent for the solicitor to require the client to enter into a separate agreement direct with the barrister or alternatively require the barrister to indemnify the solicitor against any repayment of fees…should the cancellation fee be challenged.”
    July 6, 2018
  • About Pattison Hardman
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Free Advice Hotline: 1800 810 807

T: 02 9692 9111
F: 02 9692 9633
E: info@pattisonhardman.com.au

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The recognised leader in quality legal costing since 1988