Business plan highlights new special interest groups and need to engage with younger professionals
Having Costs Lawyers recognised as grade A fee-earners in the guideline hourly rates and appointed to the bench – as well as protecting the title – are among the ACL’s priorities, its new business plan has declared.
Drafted by David Bailey-Vella, who took over as chair in April for the next three years, the business plan looks to build on the significant growth the ACL has seen over the past three years – not only in membership numbers but also in its visibility and influence across the costs sector and the wider legal profession as costs remain at the centre of the debate in litigation.
Member engagement continues to thrive, with record participation in special interest groups, regional meetings, and conferences. In the next year, the Association will expand create new groups focused on mediation in costs disputes – the ACL’s most recent member survey revealed strong support for it – and on group litigation.
Last month, the Competition Appeal Tribunal said people bringing collective actions should always instruct costs specialists to assist them with scrutinising their lawyers’ fees.
Mr Bailey-Vella said the latter is further evidence that the experience and know-how of Costs Lawyers, regulated legal professionals like solicitors and barristers, should be eligible to claim the highest, grade A guideline hourly rates, rather than being classed as grade B at best.
Similarly, an overwhelming 93% of members believe Costs Lawyers should be eligible for judicial appointments, reflecting growing confidence in the profession’s expertise. The ACL is working with the regulator, the Costs Lawyer Standards Board, to push for this – and not just for costs roles but for other judicial posts too.
The business plan reported that the revived ‘Fellow’ status – for members who have held a practising certificate for at least eight years and been an ACL member for the previous five – has been a success, with over 10% of the membership signed up in the first five months it has been available.
The ACL will also be working towards applying for a Royal Charter, which would mean that only members would be able to call themselves ‘Chartered Costs Lawyers’, marking out their expertise more clearly than ever.
The business plan acknowledges the “urgent need” to engage with younger professionals – only 3.1% of Costs Lawyers are under the age of 30 – with a new apprenticeship route expected to launch in the next year, aimed at attracting school leavers and early-career professionals.
The revamped Costs Lawyer Professional Qualification has already proven a success, with around 120 students currently going through the course. The ACL is also examining the introduction of micro-credentials, to provide flexible, targeted and accessible learning opportunities that help individuals gain specific skills or knowledge, such as advocacy skills.
Mr Bailey-Vella said: “The Costs Lawyer profession is going from strength to strength and we have reached a place where there needs to be greater recognition of this. We are working on several fronts to achieve this and have received a positive reaction, so I am hopeful of progress.
“The growth of our regional and special interest groups speaks too of an engaged membership more connected than ever. We are committed to building on this momentum and do so with confidence in the vital role that Costs Lawyers play in the litigation process.”