ACL Membership & Application

The Association of Costs Lawyers is the representative body for Costs Lawyers. To join as a full member you must be a qualified Costs Lawyer.

About becoming a member

What you need to know

Dive into the rich heritage and pivotal offerings of the Association of Costs Lawyers, a beacon for professionals specialising in legal costs.

Membership categories

To join the ACL as a full Costs Lawyer member, you must be a qualified Costs Lawyer. In addition to Costs Lawyer, the ACL offers Trainee, Affiliate, Retired, and Honorary memberships tailored to various stages and affiliations within the legal costs industry. Please apply below.

ACL's legacy

Founded in 1977 (as the Association of Law Costs Draftsmen) to promote the stature and interests of its members. The ACL pioneered professional development and its work was central to the elevation of law costs draftsmen to the status of qualified lawyers. Qualified, regulated law costs draftsmen are now given the title Costs Lawyer.

About costs lawyers

Costs Lawyers are specialised, qualified, and regulated legal professionals who specialise in the law and practice of legal costs. Their expertise is invaluable not only to law firms but also businesses and individuals. Distinguishing themselves from Solicitors, Barristers, or Legal Executives, Costs Lawyers provide specialised insights and services in their domain.

Costs Lawyer Qualification

To qualify as a Costs Lawyer, trainees must complete the Costs Lawyer Professional Qualification and a period of Qualifying Experience in costs law and practice over two years. ACL Training, the training arm of ACL, is currently the sole CLSB-accredited study provider - full course details can be found here.

Events

View and book the latest ACL events here

Subscribe to the weekly ACL eBulletin

Stay informed with the latest profession news, opinion and features for only £145 a year

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Advertise on our eBulletin

The ACL eBulletin is sent out on a weekly basis to our members and subscribers offering a great advertising opportunity. Your advert will link directly through to your website.

Fees: 1 week – £130
£80 per week for subsequent, consecutive weeks thereafter.

For more information, please contact admin@costslawyer.co.uk

Annual Conferences

Discounted rates for ACL annual conferences, seminars and events

Special Interest Groups

Member only Special Interest & private LinkedIn Groups in Legal Aid, Court of Protection, Commercial Costs, Solicitor/Client Costs for industry specialism discussions and knowledge sharing.

Regional Meetings

Advance notice of free regional meetings providing CPD, discussion and debate on relevant topics and cases. Meetings held in London, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle.

Representation

Representation to the wider legal marketplace through maintaining strong links with the Legal Services Board, other representative legal bodies and the Access to Justice Foundation.

Weekly eBulletin

Subscription to the weekly Costs Lawyer e-bulletin for up-to-date profession news, opinion and ACL notices

Response to Consultations

Inclusion in formal responses to consultations, recent consultations have included: Fixed Recoverable Costs Extension, Proposed changes to CoP E-Bill of Costs and the CJC Costs Working Group.

Member Discounts

Access/Discounts for Costs Law Reports, Croner HR, Totum Pro

Costs Lawyer Directory

Entry into online Find a Cost Lawyer directory – update your details via the members portal

Association Logo

Use of the Association of Costs Lawyers Logo

Begin Your Journey

Membership Application Form

Embark on a transformative path with the Association of Costs Lawyers by filling out the application below, and step closer to the forefront of legal cost expertise.

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