Get your court costs assessed and approved
Get a detailed assessment
You can apply to get a hearing date for your detailed assessment once you’ve had a document with points of dispute from the other party.
If they do not send you points of dispute within 21 days, you can get a default costs certificate instead.
You must apply for the detailed assessment within 6 months of getting the original court order that awarded you costs.
Download and fill in request form (N258).
You must also pay a court fee. How much you pay will depend on the size of your solicitor’s bill.
| Amount on your solicitor’s bill | Fee |
|---|---|
| £15,000 or less | £398 |
| £15,000.01 to £50,000 | £801 |
| £50,000.01 to £100,000 | £1,192 |
| £100,000.01 to £150,000 | £1,595 |
| £150,000.01 to £200,000 | £1,992 |
| £200,000.01 to £300,000 | £2,988 |
| £300,000.01 to £500,000 | £4,980 |
| £500,000.01 or more | £6,640 |
Send a cheque made payable to ‘HMCTS’ with your form and any documents relevant to your request. You’ll be asked on the form to send the document that gives you the right to a detailed assessment - this is the original order for costs given by the court.
You’ll get a letter from the court saying when and where the hearing will take place.
Where to apply for a detailed assessment
If your case was in the High Court, Court of Appeal or London County Court then you should send your completed forms, documents and cheque to:
- the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO) if you’re in London
- your local District Registry (a court that deals with certain High Court cases) if you’re outside London
Senior Courts Costs Office
TM 7.12
Royal Courts of Justice
London
WC2A 2LL
If your case was in a county court outside London, you should apply in that court.
At the hearing
Each party will present their case to a Costs Judge (or District Judge if the hearing is being held outside London). They will listen to both sides before deciding on the final amount to be paid.
The court will usually order the other party to pay your detailed assessment costs, but it can make a different decision. If the assessment says you’re owed lower costs (from the original case) than the other party has offered to pay you, the court may order you to pay the costs the other party has been charged since they made their offer.
If you disagree with the decision
You can make an appeal if you disagree with the court’s decision.
You must ask for permission before you appeal if your case was heard by a Costs Judge or District Judge. You can ask the judge at the hearing or apply for permission from the appeal court. Read leaflet EX340 for more information.
You must appeal within 21 days of getting the court’s decision - ask the court for an extension if you need one.
Get help and advice
You can get free legal help and advice from:
- your local Citizens Advice Bureau
- your local Law Centre
- the Royal Courts of Justice Advice Bureau