To outsiders the language of the legal costs world can seem strange and archaic. Why are “indemnity costs” and the “indemnity principle” totally different and totally unrelated? Why did “taxing masters” have nothing to do with tax?
To help cast some light on this obscure area of law the Legal Costs Blog is pleased introduce The (Alternative) Legal Costs Dictionary. Over coming weeks we hope that these clear and concise definitions will provide invaluable assistance.
Bill of Costs (claimant’s) n. a work of fiction (usu. pure fantasy).
Bill of Costs (defendant’s) n. a true and accurate account of the work reasonably and proportionality done to secure access to justice for a defendant who has had a claim entirely lacking in merit brought against him.
I like it! Humour in costs, who'd have thought it.
Can I suggest a few, please?
Cost Negotiator (defendants);- reader of scripts without understanding the content, applies %age schedule to calculate "reasonable offers".
Cost Negotiator (claimants);- reader of scripts without understanding the content, applies %age schedule to calculate "bottom line"
Cost Scheduler;- avoider of any and all principles in calculating costs, less believable than a Politician.
Costs Lawyer;- why??????
LOL!