I’m still catching up on work following my return from holiday, so I only have time to point you in the direction of this article on rights of audience (see link) of non-solicitor agents.  This would include law costs draftsmen who are not employed directly by a firm of solicitors and who are not Costs Lawyers.

If District Judge Hill’s interpretation of the law were to be followed by other judges this would represent a shake-up of the legal costs industry just as serious as the Jackson Costs Review.

DJ Hill ends with the chilling reminder that “it is now a criminal offence to carry on a reserved legal activity (including an activity in the form of the exercise of a right of audience)”.

Detailed commentary to follow in due course.