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Our role

In response to the complex legislative framework for costs, the Law Society has established a committee and a Legal Costs Unit. Together these two areas have recently been involved in:

• the consultation process with the Attorney General’s Department about the amendments under the Legal Profession Act 2004 and the Legal Profession Regulation 2005
• ensuring solicitors in NSW understand their rights and obligations as a result of the many recent amendments
• addressing policy issues and analysing case law to discern how individual cases affect the profession.

Costs Working Group

The Costs Working Group is a committee currently consisting of eight solicitors, including one internal Law Society staff member. The role of the Costs Working Group is to:

• monitor the effect of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 and the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules with respect to costs
• monitor the efficacy of the costs assessment scheme
• examine and comment on legislation and law reform proposals relating to solicitors’ costs.

These activities aim to reduce the regulatory burden for solicitors, simplify the provisions in the legislation and ensure its effectiveness.

The Costs Working Group also produces a range of information resources such as the Costs Guidebook and handles direct enquires from solicitors. Read more about Costs assistance.

Legal Costs Unit

Part of the Law Society’s Professional Standards Department, the Legal Costs Unit assists in the investigations of complaints, liaising with the Legal Services Commissioner, the Courts and the Attorney General’s Department.

The Unit researches relevant costs developments, including involvement in costs policy development and provides mediation and facilitation in costs disputes.

It also provides costs education, including the publication of articles in the Law Society Journal and addresses to interested groups.