Summary of survey resultsThe results of a survey of Costs Lawyers on the impact of the Jackson Reforms

June 2012

• The paper-based survey was conducted at the ACL annual conference on 11th & 12th May, 2012

• Some rounding of figures has been applied for this presentation• A total of 137 Costs Lawyers completed the survey• The survey has been conducted by Black Letter PR

Background

1. What impact do you think the Jackson reforms will have on your practice?

2. What impact do you think the legal aid reforms will have on your practice?

3. Do you intend to change your practice in light of either of these reforms?

3a. If you answered yes to question 3, what change(s) do you intend to make (tick all that apply)?

Other Changes Work towards closureAdjust IT systemsSeminars, in house adviceDevelop greater capacity in costs budgetingMerge with competitorTrain in other areas of law eg, ILEX, PARALEGALSignificantly reduce my practice turnoverSolicitor-client assessments & budgeting

4. What percentage of your case load come from the following?

What other sources were cited outside of the suggested sources?SDT workArbitration and overseas workNon-legal aid criminalBudgets, estimatesProbateCriminal/arbitrationAppealsEmploymentCourt of protection

5. Over the past 12 months has demand for costs budgeting work...

6. Over the next 12 months, do you expect demand for costs budgeting work to...

7. In three years’ time, do you expect the number of Costs Lawyers to have...

8. Over the next year will you take on any trainees?

9. What common mistakes/misconceptions do solicitors make when dealing with costs (tick all that apply)

Other mistakes/misconceptionsNot considering costs from the startSolicitors tend to have very limited knowledge of costsNot knowing anything about costsFailing to manage and conduct a case bearing costs in mindNot realising the importance of costs until they want to get paidFailing to realise that costs lawyers canNot understanding the rules/case law

10. Have you ever challenged the status and rights of audience of a non-Costs Lawyer opponent before a court?

10a. If yes, what happened? (sample of 14)

10b. If no, it is because (sample of 121)

11. What impact do you think the Jackson reforms will have (tick all that apply)?