CPR Part 45 - The Key Issues

Introduction

Following the extension of the Fixed Recoverable Costs (FRC) regime to most claims valued up to £100,000, the focus has shifted from whether fixed costs apply to how they are assessed and recovered.

This has generated a new generation of tactics from both Claimants and Defendants seeking a financial advantage. Disputes over what constitutes a reasonably incurred disbursement and what is recoverable in addition to fixed profit costs, remain a key battleground.

This webinar will guide you through the new procedural framework under CPR Part 45 and the mandatory Precedent U, the default ‘on the papers’ assessment process, and how the first year of case law is shaping the interpretation of these new rules.

This webinar is crucial for both claimant and defendant fee earners, costs lawyers, and partners at all levels.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• Practical guidance on completing the new mandatory Precedent U for claiming fixed costs, disbursements, and counsel’s fees
• Understanding the relationship between profit costs and disbursements under the new rules and how to justify or challenge them effectively
• Strategies for preparing for paper-based assessments and knowing when (and how) to request an oral hearing
• Analysis of key first-instance decisions from the past year, including:
• JXX v Archibald - The emerging approach to the recoverability of expert medical report fees
• The August 2025 DWF case - Highlighting the court’s strict enforcement of the new Part 45 rules
• Case management strategies to maximise profitability while operating within the tight constraints of the new FRC regime
• The ongoing effects and strategic considerations of Alternative Dispute Resolution within a fixed costs environment

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Tuesday 31st March 2026

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 1,900+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.