High Fees, Higher Scrutiny: Why Sky High Legal Rates Are Drawing Criticism in 2025
In a recent wave of public commentary, concerns over spiralling legal fees, particularly those charged by elite, city law firms, have reignited longstanding debates around transparency, proportionality and access to justice in the UK legal sector.
Headlines such as “Greedy City Lawyers Accused of Letting Fees Spiral Out of Control” (The Times, August 2025) are not just sensationalised media bites as they reflect a broader discomfort within the profession and the judiciary about how fees are justified and recovered, especially in high value commercial disputes. In this climate of increasing scrutiny, the role of specialist cost lawyers has never been more essential.
At County Cost Consultants, we understand the pressures both legal practitioners and clients face when handling the costs of litigation. The key lies in clarity and credibility…and that’s precisely where we come in.
A System Struggling with Scale
Across sectors, legal professionals are witnessing a trend where the top end of legal fees has escalated to previously unimaginable levels. Day rates exceeding £10,000 for senior partners are not uncommon in the commercial space. This is, in part, a reflection of complex multi jurisdictional work and heightened client demands, but the issue arises when those fees are subject to recovery, scrutiny or challenge.
The courts are no longer rubber stamping inflated claims for costs. There’s a renewed insistence on proportionality and a recognition that simply billing time doesn’t make it recoverable. Judges are more willing to pare back unreasonable hourly rates or reject poorly presented budgets, which is precisely why cost drafting expertise has become non-negotiable for reputable legal teams.
Where Do Cost Lawyers Fit In?
Unlike solicitors or barristers who handle substantive legal matters, cost lawyers specialise in the often overlooked but critically important arena of legal costs, from budgets to Bills of Costs, from Points of Dispute to Detailed Assessments. At County Cost Consultants, our remit includes everything from high stakes commercial litigation to clinical negligence and fixed costs disputes.
We’re seeing more firms engaging our team before the budgeting stage to help them assess what is realistically recoverable and ensure their case strategy is cost efficient from the outset. In an era where cost recovery can determine the financial viability of a case, ignoring this aspect is not just risky, it’s negligent.
Judicial Pressure and Professional Integrity
The Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, has made it clear in recent rulings and speeches that the courts expect tighter control over litigation costs. There’s growing emphasis on:
Properly justified hourly rates, aligned with guideline rates and market norms
Realistic Precedent H budgets, especially in light of the extended fixed recoverable costs (FRC) regime
Timely and accurate costs assessments, without delay or overstatement
These changes aren’t about penny pinching, they are in place to reinforce the integrity of the profession. When solicitors overreach on costs, the ripple effect damages not only their own client relationships, but public trust in the legal system as a whole.
That’s why at County Cost, our aim is twofold; recovery and respectability. Our team is trained to produce detailed, defendable costs documentation that stands up to scrutiny, whether from opposing parties, judges or independent assessors.
How County Cost Adds Value
We often say that the real cost of poor cost work is hidden in what you don’t recover. This rings especially true in 2025, where even technical slip ups or late submissions can result in dramatic reductions. That’s where we help our clients:
By avoiding overreach, we advise on where the line is drawn between fair remuneration and likely rejection.
We make a point of streamlining submissions as our work is fortified and compliant, saving time at every stage of the process.
Through bridging commercial and compliance goals, by working alongside litigators and finance teams, we align recoverable costs with your commercial objectives.
Whether you’re handling a complex Part 8 claim or preparing for a CCMC hearing, our experience spans across jurisdictions, claim types and firm sizes. We’re proud to say that County Cost is now home to seven qualified Costs Lawyers, with additional trainees on track to qualification, we are a large and experienced in-house team.
Industry Confidence & Client Assurance
The rising concern around unchecked legal billing is not solely coming from within the courts. In-house counsel and litigation funders are also demanding more transparency and predictability. More than ever, they are querying law firms and their justifications for spending.
County Cost Consultants acts as a buffer and benchmark, providing independent verification of what’s fair and recoverable. In many cases, we’ve helped firms strengthen their client relationships by ensuring full transparency from the outset, backed by documentation that’s both technical and digestible.
A Future Built on Accountability
As the legal sector continues to evolve in 2025, it’s clear that cost control is no longer an afterthought, it is in fact central to the litigation journey. Law firms who embrace this shift will be better positioned for long term growth and trust. And those who don’t? They risk reputational damage, dissatisfied clients and a diminished bottom line.
At County Cost Consultants, we stand ready to support firms in delivering legal success, in an ethical and transparent manner. As scrutiny increases, so too does the importance of getting it right the first time.
Let’s ensure that the value of your legal work is never lost in translation.
Contact County Cost Consultants today and discover how we can add value and confidence to your litigation process.
