11/12/2025
The silent crisis in Civil Justice
Across England and Wales, a quiet crisis is unfolding. More and more litigants are walking into the justice system alone, armed with determination perhaps, but rarely with the expertise required to navigate complex costs rules, retainers, and funding arrangements. Meanwhile, Costs Lawyers, regulated specialists with rights of audience, rights to conduct litigation, and deep expertise in the fairness of legal costs, remain under-utilised, misunderstood, or simply unknown to the very people who need us most. If access to justice begins with access to fair costs, then the current situation demands urgent professional intervention.
Costs Lawyers must now take a proactive, visible, and essential role by offering direct support to litigants in person.
Not out of charity. Not for prestige. But because we are uniquely qualified, and regulated, to protect consumers at their most vulnerable.
See full article on our regulatory body’s final newsletter of the year
Newsletter - December 2025 From the CEO Our final newsletter before the end of 2025 hits your inbox after the window to renew your practising certificates has closed. If you have not done so already, the deadline was 30 November 2025. The fallout from the