The Civil Procedure Rules 1998

[F1 [F2 SECTION IIIA E+W Claims Which No Longer Continue Under the RTA or EL/PL Pre-Action Protocols – Fixed Recoverable Costs

Textual Amendments

F1 Pts. 44-48 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/262), rules 2, 16, Sch. (with rule 22)

F2 Pt. 45 Section 3A inserted (31.7.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.6) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/1695), rules 2, 7(16), Sch. (with rule 10)

Scope and interpretation E+W

45.29A.— (1) Subject to paragraph (3), this section applies where a claim is started under—

(a) the Pre-Action Protocol for Low Value Personal Injury Claims in Road Traffic Accidents (“the RTA Protocol”); or

(b) the Pre-Action Protocol for Low Value Personal Injury (Employers’ Liability and Public Liability) Claims (“the EL/PL Protocol”),

but no longer continues under the relevant Protocol or the Stage 3 Procedure in Practice Direction 8B.

(2) This section does not apply to a disease claim which is started under the EL/PL Protocol.

(3) Nothing in this section shall prevent the court making an order under rule 45.24.

Application of fixed costs and disbursements – RTA Protocol E+W

45.29B.   Subject to rules 45.29F, 45.29G, 45.29H and 45.29J, [F3 , and for as long as the case is not allocated to the multi-track,] if, in a claim started under the RTA Protocol, the Claim Notification Form is submitted on or after 31st July 2013, the only costs allowed are—

(a) the fixed costs in rule 45.29C;

(b) disbursements in accordance with rule 45.29I.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in rule 45.29B inserted (6.4.2017) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2017 (S.I. 2017/95), rules 2, 8(1)

Amount of fixed costs – RTA Protocol E+W

45.29C.— (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amount of fixed costs is set out in Table 6B.

(2) Where the claimant—

(a) lives or works in an area set out in Practice Direction 45; and

(b) instructs a legal representative who practises in that area,

the fixed costs will include, in addition to the costs set out in Table 6B, an amount equal to 12.5% of the costs allowable under paragraph (1) and set out in Table 6B.

(3) Where appropriate, VAT may be recovered in addition to the amount of fixed recoverable costs and any reference in this Section to fixed costs is a reference to those costs net of VAT.

(4) In Table 6B—

(a) in Part B, “on or after” means the period beginning on the date on which the court respectively—

(i) issues the claim;

(ii) allocates the claim under Part 26; or

(iii) lists the claim for trial; and

(b) unless stated otherwise, a reference to “damages” means agreed damages; and

(c) a reference to “trial” is a reference to the final contested hearing.

Table 6B

Fixed costs where a claim no longer continues under the RTA Protocol

A. If Parties reach a settlement prior to the claimant issuing proceedings under Part 7
Agreed damages		At least £1,000, but not more than £5,000		More than £5,000, but not more than £10,000		More than £10,000 F4 ...
Fixed costs		The greater of— (a) £550; or (b) the total of— (i) £100; and (ii) 20% of the damages		The total of— (a) £1,100; and (b) 15% of damages over £5,000		The total of— (a) £1,930; and (b) 10% of damages over £10,000
B. If proceedings are issued under Part 7, but the case settles before trial
Stage at which case is settled		On or after the date of issue, but prior to the date of allocation under Part 26		On or after the date of allocation under Part 26, but prior to the date of listing		On or after the date of listing but prior [F5 to] the date of trial
Fixed costs		The total of— (a) £1,160; and (b) 20% of the damages		The total of— (a) £1,880; and (b) 20% of the damages		The total of— (a) £2,655; and (b) 20% of the damages
C. If the claim is disposed of at trial
Fixed costs		The total of— (a) £2,655; and (b) 20% of the damages agreed or awarded; and (c) the relevant trial advocacy fee
D. Trial advocacy fee
Damages agreed or awarded	Not more than £3,000		More than £3,000, but not more than £10,000		More than £10,000, but not more than £15,000		More than £15,000
Trial advocacy fee	£500		£710		£1,070		£1,705

Textual Amendments

F4 Words in rule 45.29C Table 6B omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2017 (S.I. 2017/95), rules 2, 8(2)(a)

F5 Words in rule 45.29C Table 6B inserted (6.4.2017) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2017 (S.I. 2017/95), rules 2, 8(2)(b)

Application of fixed costs and disbursements – EL/PL Protocol E+W

45.29D.   Subject to rules 45.29F, 45.29H and 45.29J, [F6 and for as long as the case is not allocated to the multi-track,] in a claim started under the EL/PL Protocol the only costs allowed are—

(a) fixed costs in rule 45.29E; and

(b) disbursements in accordance with rule 45.29I.

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in rule 45.29D inserted (6.4.2017) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2017 (S.I. 2017/95), rules 2, 8(3)

Amount of fixed costs – EL/PL Protocol E+W

45.29E.— (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amount of fixed costs is set out—

(a) in respect of employers’ liability claims, in Table 6C; and

(b) in respect of public liability claims, in Table 6D.

(2) Where the claimant—

(a) lives or works in an area set out in Practice Direction 45; and

(b) instructs a legal representative who practises in that area,

the fixed costs will include, in addition to the costs set out in Tables 6C and 6D, an amount equal to 12.5% of the costs allowable under paragraph (1) and set out in table 6C and 6D.

(3) Where appropriate, VAT may be recovered in addition to the amount of fixed recoverable costs and any reference in this Section to fixed costs is a reference to those costs net of VAT.

(4) In Tables 6C and 6D—

(a) in Part B, “on or after” means the period beginning on the date on which the court respectively—

(i) issues the claim;

(ii) allocates the claim under Part 26; or

(iii) lists the claim for trial; and

(b) unless stated otherwise, a reference to “damages” means agreed damages; and

(c) a reference to “trial” is a reference to the final contested hearing.

Table 6C

Fixed costs where a claim no longer continues under the EL/PL Protocol – employers’ liability claims

A. If Parties reach a settlement prior to the claimant issuing proceedings under Part 7
Agreed damages		At least £1,000, but not more than £5,000		More than £5,000, but not more than £10,000		More than £10,000 F7 ...
Fixed costs		The total of— (a) £950; and (b) 17.5% of the damages		The total of— (a) £1,855; and (b) 12.5% of damages over £5,000		The total of— (a) £2,500; and (b) 10% of damages over £10,000
B. If proceedings are issued under Part 7, but the case settles before trial
Stage at which case is settled		On or after the date of issue, but prior to the date of allocation under Part 26		On or after the date of allocation under Part 26, but prior to the date of listing		On or after the date of listing but prior [F8 to] the date of trial
Fixed costs		The total of— (a) £2,630; and (b) 20% of the damages		The total of— (a) £3,350; and (b) 25% of the damages		The total of— (a) £4,280; and (b) 30% of the damages
C. If the claim is disposed of at trial
Fixed costs		The total of— (a) £4,280; (b) 30% of the damages agreed or awarded; and (c) the relevant trial advocacy fee
D. Trial advocacy fees
Damages agreed or awarded	Not more than £3,000		More than £3,000, but not more than £10,000		More than £10,000, but not more than £15,000		More than £15,000
Trial advocacy fee	£500		£710		£1,070		£1,705

Table 6D

Fixed costs where a claim no longer continues under the EL/PL Protocol – public liability claims

A. If Parties reach a settlement prior to the claimant issuing proceedings under Part 7
Agreed damages		At least £1,000, but not more than £5,000		More than £5,000, but not more than £10,000		More than £10,000 F9 ...
Fixed costs		The total of— (a) £950; and (b) 17.5% of the damages		The total of— (a) £1,855; and (b) [F10 10%] of damages over £5,000		The total of— (a) £2,370; and (b) 10% of damages over £10,000
B. If proceedings are issued under Part 7, but the case settles before trial
Stage at which case is settled		On or after the date of issue, but prior to the date of allocation under Part 26		On or after the date of allocation under Part 26, but prior to the date of listing		On or after the date of listing but prior [F11 to] the date of trial
Fixed costs damages		The total of— (a) £2,450; and (b) 17.5% of the damages		The total of— (a) £3,065; and (b) 22.5% of the damages		The total of— (a) £3,790; and (b) 27.5% of the
C. If the claim is disposed of at trial
Fixed costs		The total of— (a) £3,790; (b) 27.5% of the damages agreed or awarded; and (c) the relevant trial advocacy fee
D. Trial advocacy fees
Damages agreed or awarded	Not more than £3,000		More than £3,000, but not more than £10,000		More than £10,000, but not more than £15,000		More than £15,000
Trial advocacy fee	£500		£710		£1,070		£1,705

Textual Amendments

F7 Words in rule 45.29E Table 6C omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2017 (S.I. 2017/95), rules 2, 8(4)(a)(i)

F8 Word in rule 45.29E Table 6C inserted (6.4.2017) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2017 (S.I. 2017/95), rules 2, 8(4)(a)(ii)

F9 Word in rule 45.29E Table 6D omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2017 (S.I. 2017/95), rules 2, 8(4)(b)(i)

F10 Word in rule 45.29E Table 6D substituted (1.10.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.7) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/1974), rules 2, 20(d)

F11 Words in rule 45.29E Table 6D inserted (6.4.2017) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2017 (S.I. 2017/95), rules 2, 8(4)(b)(ii)

Defendants’ costs E+W

45.29F.— (1) In this rule—

(a) paragraphs (8) and (9) apply to assessments of defendants’ costs under Part 36;

(b) paragraph (10) applies to assessments to which the exclusions from qualified one way costs shifting in rules 44.15 and 44.16 apply; and

(c) paragraphs (2) to (7) apply to all other cases under this Section in which a defendant’s costs are assessed.

(2) If, in any case to which this Section applies, the court makes an order for costs in favour of the defendant—

(a) the court will have regard to; and

(b) the amount of costs order to be paid shall not exceed,

the amount which would have been payable by the defendant if an order for costs had been made in favour of the claimant at the same stage of the proceedings.

(3) For the purpose of assessing the costs payable to the defendant by reference to the fixed costs in Table 6, Table 6A, Table 6B, Table 6C and Table 6D, “value of the claim for damages” and “damages” shall be treated as references to the value of the claim.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), “the value of the claim” is—

(a) the amount specified in the claim form, excluding—

(i) any amount not in dispute;

(ii) in a claim started under the RTA Protocol, any claim for vehicle related damages;

(iii) interest;

(iv) costs; and

(v) any contributory negligence;

(b) if no amount is specified in the claim form, the maximum amount which the claimant reasonably expected to recover according to the statement of value included in the claim form under rule 16.3; or

(c) £25,000, if the claim form states that the claimant cannot reasonably say how much is likely to be recovered.

(5) Where the defendant—

(a) lives, works or carries on business in an area set out in Practice Direction 45; and

(b) instructs a legal representative who practises in that area,

the costs will include, in addition to the costs allowable under paragraph (2), an amount equal to 12.5% of those costs.

(6) Where an order for costs is made pursuant to this rule, the defendant is entitled to disbursements in accordance with rule 45.29I

(7) Where appropriate, VAT may be recovered in addition to the amount of any costs allowable under this rule.

(8) Where, in a case to which this Section applies, a Part 36 offer is accepted, rule [F12 36.20] will apply instead of this rule.

(9) Where, in a case to which this Section applies, upon judgment being entered, the claimant fails to obtain a judgment more advantageous than the [F13 defendant’s] Part 36 offer, rule [F14 36.21] will apply instead of this rule.

(10) Where, in a case to which this Section applies, any of the exceptions to qualified one way costs shifting in rules 44.15 and 44.16 is established, the court will assess the defendant’s costs without reference to this rule.

Textual Amendments

F12 Word in rule 45.29F(8) substituted (6.4.2015) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 8) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/3299), rules 2(c), 10(e)(i) (with rule 18)

F13 Word in rule 45.29F(9) substituted (1.10.2014) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 6) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/2044), rules 2, 7(b) (with rule 14)

F14 Word in rule 45.29F(9) substituted (6.4.2015) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 8) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/3299), rules 2(c), 10(e)(ii) (with rule 18)

Counterclaims under the RTA Protocol E+W

45.29G.— (1) If in any case to which this Section applies—

(a) the defendant brings a counterclaim which includes a claim for personal injuries to which the RTA Protocol applies;

(b) the counterclaim succeeds; and

(c) the court makes an order for the costs of the counterclaim,

rules 45.29B, 45.29C, 45.29I, 45.29J, 45.29K and 45.29L shall apply.

(2) Where a successful counterclaim does not include a claim for personal injuries—

(a) the order for costs of the counterclaim shall be for a sum equivalent to one half of the applicable Type A and Type B costs in Table 6;

(b) where the defendant—

(i) lives, works, or carries on business in an area set out in Practice Direction 45; and

(ii) instructs a legal representative who practises in that area,

the costs will include, in addition to the costs allowable under paragraph (a), an amount equal to 12.5% of those costs;

(c) if an order for costs is made pursuant to this rule, the defendant is entitled to disbursements in accordance with rule 45.29I; and

(d) where appropriate, VAT may be recovered in addition to the amount of any costs allowable under this rule.

Interim applications E+W

45.29H.— (1) Where the court makes an order for costs of an interim application to be paid by one party in a case to which this Section applies, the order shall be for a sum equivalent to one half of the applicable Type A and Type B costs in Table 6 or 6A.

(2) Where the party in whose favour the order for costs is made—

(a) lives, works or carries on business in an area set out in Practice Direction 45; and

(b) instructs a legal representative who practises in that area,

the costs will include, in addition to the costs allowable under paragraph (1), an amount equal to 12.5% of those costs.

(3) [F15 If] an order for costs is made pursuant to this rule, the party in whose favour the order is made is entitled to disbursements in accordance with rule 45.29I[F16 .]

(4) Where appropriate, VAT may be recovered in addition to the amount of any costs allowable under this rule.

Textual Amendments

F15 Word in rule 45.29H(3) substituted (1.10.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.7) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/1974), rules 2, 20(e)(i)

F16 Rule 45.29H(3): full stop substituted for word (1.10.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.7) ules 2013 (S.I. 2013/1974), rules 2, 20(e)(ii)

Disbursements E+W

45.29I.— (1) [F17 Subject to paragraphs (2A) to (2E), the court]—

(a) may allow a claim for a disbursement of a type mentioned in paragraphs (2) or (3); but

(b) will not allow a claim for any other type of disbursement.

(2) In a claim started under either the RTA Protocol or the EL/PL Protocol, the disbursements referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a) the cost of obtaining medical records and expert medical reports as provided for in the relevant Protocol;

(b) the cost of any non-medical expert reports as provided for in the relevant Protocol;

(c) the cost of any advice from a specialist solicitor or counsel as provided for in the relevant Protocol;

(d) court fees;

(e) any expert’s fee for attending the trial where the court has given permission for the expert to attend;

(f) expenses which a party or witness has reasonably incurred in travelling to and from a hearing or in staying away from home for the purposes of attending a hearing;

(g) a sum not exceeding the amount specified in Practice Direction 45 for any loss of earnings or loss of leave by a party or witness due to attending a hearing or to staying away from home for the purpose of attending a hearing; and

(h) any other disbursement reasonably incurred due to a particular feature of the dispute.

[F18 (2A) In a soft tissue injury claim started under the RTA Protocol, the only sums (exclusive of VAT) that are recoverable in respect of the cost of obtaining a fixed cost medical report or medical records are as follows—

[F19 (a) obtaining the first report from an accredited medical expert selected via the MedCo Portal: £180;]

(b) obtaining a further report where justified from [F20 an expert from] one of the following disciplines—

(i) Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (inclusive of a review of medical records where applicable): £420;

(ii) Consultant in Accident and Emergency Medicine: £360;

(iii) General Practitioner registered with the General Medical Council: £180; or

(iv) Physiotherapist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council: £180;

(c) obtaining medical records: no more than £30 plus the direct cost from the holder of the records, and limited to £80 in total for each set of records required. Where relevant records are required from more than one holder of records, the fixed fee applies to each set of records required;

(d) addendum report on medical records (except by Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon): £50; and

(e) answer to questions under Part 35: £80.

(2B) Save in exceptional circumstances, no fee may be allowed for the cost of obtaining [F21 a report to which paragraph (2A) applies where the medical expert—]

(a) has provided treatment to the claimant;

(b) is associated with any person who has provided treatment; or

(c) proposes or recommends [F22 treatment that they or an associate then provide].

(2C) The cost of obtaining a further report from an expert not listed in paragraph (2A)(b) is not fixed, but the use of that expert and the cost must be justified.

(2D) Where appropriate, VAT may be recovered in addition to the cost of obtaining a fixed cost medical report or medical records.]

[F23 (2E) In this rule, ‘accredited medical expert’, ‘associate’, ‘associated with’, ‘fixed cost medical report’ ‘MedCo’ and ‘soft tissue injury claim’ have the same meaning as in paragraph 1.1(A1), (1A), (10A), (12A), and (16A), respectively, of the RTA Protocol.]

(3) In a claim started under the RTA Protocol only, the disbursements referred to in paragraph (1) are also the cost of—

(a) an engineer’s report; and

(b) a search of the records of the—

(i) Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority; and

(ii) Motor Insurance Database.

Textual Amendments

F17 Words in rule 45.29I(1) substituted (1.10.2014) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 6) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/2044), rules 2, 7(c)(i) (with rule 14)

F18 Rules 45.29I(2A)-(2E) inserted (1.10.2014) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 6) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/2044), rules 2, 7(c)(ii) (with rule 14)

F19 Rule 45.29I(2A)(a) substituted (6.4.2015) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 8) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/3299), rules 2(c), 10(f)(i)(aa)

F20 Words in rule 45.29I(2A)(b) inserted (6.4.2015) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 8) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/3299), rules 2(c), 10(f)(i)(bb)

F21 Words in rule 45.29I(2B) substituted (6.4.2015) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 8) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/3299), rules 2(c), 10(f)(ii)(aa)

F22 Words in rule 45.29I(2B)(c) substituted (6.4.2015) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 8) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/3299), rules 2(c), 10(f)(ii)(bb)

F23 Rule 45.29I(2E) substituted (6.4.2015) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 8) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/3299), rules 2(c), 10(f)(iii)

Claims for an amount of costs exceeding fixed recoverable costs E+W

45.29J.— (1) If it considers that there are exceptional circumstances making it appropriate to do so, the court will consider a claim for an amount of costs (excluding disbursements) which is greater than the fixed recoverable costs referred to in rules 45.29B to 45.29H.

(2) If the court considers such a claim to be appropriate, it may—

(a) summarily assess the costs; or

(b) make an order for the costs to be subject to detailed assessment.

(3) If the court does not consider the claim to be appropriate, it will make an order—

(a) if the claim is made by the claimant, for the fixed recoverable costs; or

(b) if the claim is made by the defendant, for a sum which has regard to, but which does not exceed the fixed recoverable costs,

and any permitted disbursements only.

Failure to achieve costs greater than fixed recoverable costs E+W

45.29K.— (1) This rule applies where—

(a) costs are assessed in accordance with rule 45.29J(2); and

(b) the court assesses the costs (excluding any VAT) as being an amount which is in a sum less than 20% greater than the amount of the fixed recoverable costs.

(2) The court will make an order for the party who made the claim to be paid the lesser of—

(a) the fixed recoverable costs; and

(b) the assessed costs.

Costs of the costs-only proceedings or the detailed assessment E+W

45.29L.— (1) Where—

(a) the court makes an order for costs in accordance with rule 45.29J(3); or

(b) rule 45.29K applies,

the court may—

(i) decide not to award the party making the claim the costs of the costs only proceedings or detailed assessment; and

(ii) make orders in relation to costs that may include an order that the party making the claim pay the costs of the party defending those proceedings or that assessment.]]