Costs in Family Proceedings Seminar

26 April 2016

“There is only one feature which crops up, to a greater or lesser extent, in every type of family proceedings: costs. No order can be sought or opposed without incurring an element of costs.”

Lord Wilson, JSC

This quotation is taken from the Foreword by Lord Wilson for the recently published Costs in Family Proceedings: the co-authors will be presenting an update on some recent developments. There is an increasing use of costs orders in public law children proceedings and local authorities are seen as a soft target. What is the best way to avoid an adverse costs order? Legal services payment orders have been used only sporadically. What is the effect of the case law, in particular Rubin v Rubin?

This seminar is relevant to Family practitioners at all levels of seniority and of equal interest to Private Client Solicitors and Local Authorities.

IN FAMILY PROCEEDINGS:

  • When do costs follow the event always, sometimes or never?
  • How is the case law on costs developing?
  • How to avoid an adverse costs order.

Francis Wilkinson

 Legal service payment order applications:

  • What the statute says
  • Case law developments
  • Mostyn J and Rubin v Rubin
  • Guidance from the Supreme Court

Dr Sara Hunton