Fixed Fee Paper Assessment
Binding & Non-Binding Methods
CADR's fixed fee paper assessment service is available through binding and non-binding methods.
Both forms of the paper assessment will be undertaken within 28 days.
Retired Costs Judges Peter Hurst and Colin Campbell assess all forms of CADR's paper assessments exclusively.
This service covers formal bills of costs up to £100,000 inclusive of disbursements and VAT, staged in two tiers as defined below in the schedule of charges.
CADR's Schedule of Charges
Non-binding paper assessment fees (exclusive of VAT):
- Up to £15k — £350
- £15k up to £50k — £500
- £50k up to £100k — £750
Binding provisional paper assessment fees (exclusive of VAT):
- Up to £15k — £350
- £15k to £50k — £650
- Over £50k up to £75k — £850
- Over £75k — £925
Current Court provisional assessment fees:
- Up to £15k — £369
- Over £15k up to £50k — £743
- Over £50k up to £75k — £1,106
Pre-requisites for the fixed-fee paper assessment services are signed terms and conditions of business and a signed paper assessment agreement.
Required Documents
For both methods of assessment, the documents outlined below are required in the following order:
- A copy of the formal bill of costs
- The document giving the right to detailed assessment
- A copy of the points of dispute, annotated as necessary to show which items have been agreed and their value and to show which items remain in dispute and their value
- A copy of any replies served
- Copies of all orders made by the court relating to the costs which are to be assessed
- Copies of the fee notes and other written evidence as served on the paying party
- Copy of risk assessment/statement of reason in support of success fees and copy of the ATE certificate
- Transcript of judgment at trial if any
- Any further papers the assessor may request
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fixed fee paper assessment?
A paper assessment is a costs determination based on written submissions only, without a hearing. CADR offers this at fixed fees, providing cost certainty. Both binding and non-binding options are available.
Who conducts CADR paper assessments?
All CADR paper assessments are conducted exclusively by retired Costs Judges Peter Hurst and Colin Campbell, bringing decades of judicial costs experience.
How long does a paper assessment take?
Paper assessments are completed within 28 days of receiving all required documents, providing a much faster resolution than court proceedings.
What is the maximum bill value for paper assessment?
The fixed fee paper assessment service covers formal bills of costs up to £100,000 inclusive of disbursements and VAT. For larger bills, contact the Registrar to discuss options.
How does the cost compare to court assessment?
CADR fixed fees are competitive with court provisional assessment fees but offer the advantage of assessment by experienced costs judges with guaranteed turnaround times.
