Making Mental Health a Priority in Legal Practice Costs

In the legal profession, pressure often runs high. Deadlines are tight, expectations are demanding and the stakes are rarely low. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of legal costs. Cost lawyers and draftsmen work within fast paced, high pressure environments where precision is paramount, outcomes are scrutinised and the ripple effects of error can be significant. Against this backdrop, it is understandable why mental health amongst those involved in cost law should be a priority.

At County Cost Consultants, we firmly believe that the foundation of excellent work is a healthy, supported team. As a specialist cost law firm, we have spent twenty five years chartering the intricacies of litigation costs, ensuring compliance, optimising recovery and safeguarding client outcomes. Through our experience, we’ve also come to learn that sustaining success in this field demands more than expertise, it demands a culture that puts people first.

The Pressure Behind the Profession

Cost law sits at the intersection of law, mathematics and meticulous drafting. It requires intellectual agility, keen attention to detail and an ability to manage complex caseloads efficiently. Solicitors, clients and courts rely on cost professionals to interpret rules, prepare watertight bills of costs, argue disputes with clarity and respond promptly to shifting developments.

With the introduction of new fixed recoverable costs regimes, ongoing judicial commentary criticising poorly presented budgets and bills and increased pressure on firms to manage time and costs with greater transparency, the demands on cost lawyers have only intensified. The result? A workforce facing mounting mental pressure, especially when working within tight turnarounds, fluctuating caseloads and client expectations.

Why Mental Health Can No Longer Be Ignored

For many years, mental wellbeing in the legal field was a topic kept behind closed doors. Conversations around stress, burnout and anxiety were often sidelined in favour of metrics and targets. But the narrative is changing.

In 2025, law firms are increasingly recognising that wellbeing is not in conflict with productivity as it underpins it. A healthy workforce is not only more focused, but also more resilient and collaborative. Cost law, in particular, demands long term concentration and emotional balance, making the case for better mental health support in this niche area of legal practice all the more critical.

Alex Clapp, the founder of County Cost Consultants and Claritee, has long been a vocal advocate for corporate wellbeing, a passion born from personal experience. Having faced his own mental health struggles and journeyed through recovery, Alex understands first hand the pressures of the legal and business worlds. His openness about his past has become a cornerstone of his leadership, shaping a company culture that prioritises authenticity and support. Through his alcohol free events via Claritee, he continues to champion systemic change in workplace wellbeing, aiming to dismantle stigma and create environments where individuals can thrive.

County Cost's Commitment to Wellbeing

At County Cost, our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to ensure that every member of our team feels valued, supported and equipped to manage the unique demands of our industry.

This year, we took several key steps to bolster mental health awareness and wellbeing support within our firm:

Mental Health First Aid Training
In May 2025, team members Peter and Louise undertook certified mental health training, furthering our commitment to equipping the team with tools to support one another.

Shoorah App Implementation:
We introduced Shoorah, a wellbeing app designed to support mental and emotional resilience. It provides meditation, guided breathwork, daily affirmations and a space for staff to reset, even on the busiest days.

Alcohol Awareness Week:
From July 7th to 12th, we acknowledged and actively participated in Alcohol Awareness Week, an initiative that resonates deeply within our team. Our CEO, Alex Clapp, proudly marked 2.5 years of sobriety this year, and his personal journey has helped pave the way for open, stigma free conversations across our office.

The Bigger Picture

As the legal sector continues to change, so too must the ways we look after the people who power it. For cost lawyers, burnout is real. Pressure is constant. But with the right culture and support, excellence and wellbeing are not mutually exclusive.

At County Cost Consultants, we’re committed to being leaders in our field and we’re determined to be leaders in how we treat one another. The stakes in our cases may be high, but so are our standards for what a healthy, sustainable workplace should be.

For other firms looking to follow suit, the takeaway is simple; prioritising mental health is not a luxury or an afterthought. It’s an essential part of running a resilient, reputable and forward thinking legal practice.

If you’d like to learn more about our services or work with a team that values both excellence and empathy, get in touch with the County Cost Consultants team today.