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Legal cost management

We provide expert services for the recovery of costs for receiving parties and the minimisation of costs liabilities for paying parties. Whether it's cost recovery, negotiation, points of dispute, provisional assessments, or detailed assessment hearings, our team combines knowledge and expertise with innovative data and market intelligence to make a real difference.

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Qualified professionals, unparalleled expertise and innovative technology

Why work with our Costs team?

We begin the process by assisting our clients in setting an appropriate budget during the case and costs management conference. Our experienced team then works with clients to agree upon the appropriate amount of legal costs upon completion of the case. We are committed to delivering the highest level of service and value to our clients, and we take great pride in our ability to provide superior solutions.

Our offering:

Costs solutions designed to your specific needs

What makes us different?

  • Process Driven
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    At our core, we are a highly process-driven organisation that deals with high volumes of claims in a consistent and seamless manner. Our vast knowledge, gained from dealing with over a hundred thousand claims, allows us to not only make better claims decisions but to also create new claims solutions that are innovative and effective. We are dedicated to staying ahead of the curve and consistently invest in new technology to improve our processes. 
  • Cutting-Edge Technology
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    Our cutting-edge technology and data-led solutions are designed to provide our clients with the highest level of service and expertise, ensuring that their case is managed with the utmost care and attention. Our custom-built costs solution is designed to cater to your specific needs. We have complete control over who captures what data and when, ensuring consistency in our approach. Additionally, we have the capability to digitalise all forms, creating metadata for all files, which guarantees the consistency of processing.
  • Analytics
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    We have a robust analytical capability through MI, enabling us to identify how much clients are spending on claims and highlight the level of exposure to manage spend. This provides our clients with an unparalleled level of insight, enabling them to make informed decisions and better manage their costs.
  • Information Security
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    We recognise the importance of information security and take every measure to ensure that all our data is protected at the highest level. Our secure process enables us to confidently handle even the most sensitive cases. We have received certification for our Information Security Management System under the ISO UKAS 27001 standard. Our digital mailroom allows for better control of data both internally and via third-party suppliers, and we adhere to the ISO UKAS 9001 Quality Management Standard in all our processes. 
  • Business Continuity Management
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    Additionally, we hold the ISO UKAS 22301 Business Continuity Management accreditation, which means that we have contingency plans in place to ensure that we can deliver normal service even in the event of an emergency. Our commitment to providing the highest level of service and protection for our clients is unwavering, and we are proud to hold these accreditations as evidence of our dedication to excellence.

Reducing exposure to legal costs

Our results

Delivering results

Case studies

NHS Hospital Trusts

The partnership between a UK agency responsible for managing clinical negligence claims against NHS Hospital Trusts and legal insurance firm DWF has been instrumental in the effort to improve patient safety and reduce the incidence of clinical negligence. DWF maintains a comprehensive database of outcomes from cost negotiations, providing valuable insights that help the agency develop effective strategies to manage clinical negligence claims.

By analysing the data on cost negotiations, the agency can identify trends and emerging issues, as well as underlying causes of high costs in clinical negligence claims. Armed with this information, the agency can work with NHS Hospital Trusts to implement targeted interventions and policies aimed at preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The insights provided by DWF have contributed to a culture of patient safety, making it possible to identify and mitigate risks more effectively. Moreover, by working closely with the agency, DWF has helped to create a more efficient and effective system for managing clinical negligence claims, reducing costs and ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

Tax Authority v. 114 Defendants

In this case, a tax authority (referred to as "TA") brought litigation against 114 defendants, alleging that they had been induced by misrepresentations to pay out tax refunds it was not liable to pay, totalling over £1.5 billion.

DWF played a central role in the case by developing a strategy to seek indemnity basis costs, which would result in the defendants being responsible for paying all of the TA's legal costs. DWF was able to persuade three leading counsel to change tack and seek indemnity basis costs, which was ultimately successful when the court granted an order in those terms.

DWF also drafted a costs schedule that was vital to securing a substantial interim payment on account of costs. This payment, amounting to £5.47 million, helped to cover the TA's legal expenses while the case was ongoing.

The case demonstrates the importance of developing a strong legal strategy and being proactive in seeking indemnity basis costs and interim payments on account of costs. Without these measures, the TA may have faced significant financial strain during the course of the litigation.

DWF Successfully Recovers Substantial Costs in Ground-breaking Telecoms Case

DWF was instructed to act on behalf of two electronic communications operators in a complex and significant dispute that proceeded in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). The case had far-reaching implications for the entire mobile telecoms sector and our clients sought our expertise due to the size and complexity of the claim.

This case was particularly challenging due to its complexity and various factors which needed to be considered when calculating costs. DWF took a strategic approach to the case, beginning with drafting the bill of costs and other formal documents. We then provided advice on strategy and offers, using our expertise in complex litigation to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. 

DWF were able to recover a substantial amount of costs, which was a significant achievement given the complexity of the case and the potential impact on the mobile telecoms sector. Our clients were pleased with the outcome, and we were able to establish ourselves as trusted partner for complex and significant disputes. 

Highly Successful Defendant Costs Recovery in High Court

This case concerned the malicious online posting of the personal details of almost 100,000 employees, of a large retail business by a former employee and it concluded by way of a successful appeal to the UK Supreme Court. 

DWF provided strategic legal advice throughout the complex costs management process and worked closely with the retailer to prepare the bills of costs to facilitate recovery of the costs incurred in all three hearings. Despite the challenging nature of the case, DWF was able to negotiate a high level of recovery of those costs, securing a significant sum for the defendant. 

Through careful planning and close collaboration with the client, DWF achieved a successful outcome in the UK Supreme Court, ultimately proving that the defendant was not liable for personal detail breach. This case highlights DWF's expertise in complex litigation, including costs management and recovery, and demonstrates the firm's ability to deliver positive outcomes for clients facing high-stake legal challenges. 

Strategic Use of Costs Management Process to Facilitate Settlement in a Cyberattack Claim against a Major Transport Company

In this case, a group of claimants filed a lawsuit against a major transport company, claiming compensation for losses resulting from a cyberattack on their systems. DWF provided strategic advice to the company on costs management to reduce the claimants' budgeted costs and facilitate an early settlement.

DWF reviewed the case and identified elements of 'common cost' that, if disallowed, would save substantial sums and make proceeding to trial less attractive to the claimants. DWF then prepared all procedural costs documentation and engaged with the claimants' legal team and the court to ensure that the claimants' budgeted costs were reasonable and proportionate. 

DWF's approach to costs management was based on a thorough understanding of the case, the law, and the party's interests. DWF argued that the claimants' budgeted costs were excessive and unjustified and that significant reductions should be made. 

Mr Justice Saini agreed with DWF's arguments and made significant reductions to the claimants' budgeted costs. These reductions potentially saved tens of millions of pounds and facilitated an early settlement between the transport company and the claimants. The settlement provided a mutually acceptable outcome for both parties and avoided the need for a lengthy and expensive trial. 

Understanding the market

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Key Contacts

Make an enquiry

Get in touch with a member of our team by using the details below or completing the form.
T +44 333 320 2220
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+44 333 320 4440

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