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Pattison Hardman are committed to providing high quality, expert legal cost consulting services.

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What happens to costs where no hearing on merits?

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Bill of Costs

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

Cost Recovery

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

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.

Party Party Costs Assessment

A brief rundown and definition of some of the regular costs orders encountered.

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.

Cases & Articles
costs
Ordered Costs

What happens to costs where no hearing on merits?

In litigation, broadly speaking, 80% of matters settle before trial or at the latest during a trial. But what happens if the parties during their negotiations to settle prior to the hearing nut out a deal in respect of the primary issues resulting in a settlement but cannot reach an agreement on the question of… Read More »What happens to costs where no hearing on merits?
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The Wisdom of Salomon
Solicitor client disputes

The Wisdom of Salomon

Chorley, the Incorporated Legal Practice and the meta-physical bifurcation. The seemingly unending saga of Coshott and Spencer provides another benefit to the profession with the handing down, on 8 October 2021 of the Court of Appeal judgment of Spencer v Coshott [2021] NSWCA 235. Mr Spencer was at the time the principal and the sole… Read More »The Wisdom of Salomon
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Legal Bills of Costs - Legal Costs Experts
Ethics and Practice management

Who owns your file notes?

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… Read More »Who owns your file notes?
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Costs of the Proceedings Sydney - Pattison Hardman
Ordered Costs

Costs of the Proceedings – An overriding order?

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… Read More »Costs of the Proceedings – An overriding order?
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The Legal Costing Company Sydney - Pattison Hardman
Ethics and Practice management, Solicitor client disputes

Cost Disclosure and Informed Consent – Does Your Client Really Understand? A Victorian Perspective

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… Read More »Cost Disclosure and Informed Consent – Does Your Client Really Understand? A Victorian Perspective
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Cost Disclosure and Informed Consent – Does Your Client Really Understand?
Ethics and Practice management, Solicitor client disputes

Cost Disclosure and Informed Consent – Does Your Client Really Understand?

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… Read More »Cost Disclosure and Informed Consent – Does Your Client Really Understand?
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Our 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.

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