I act in a contentious matter. Do I need to supply my client with a detailed costs breakdown?

I have issued a gross sum bill to my client in a contentious matter, but the client has requested a further detailed breakdown. Must I supply this?

In contentious matters, where a solicitor has issued a gross sum bill, the client may request a detailed breakdown of costs in lieu of the original bill within three months of receiving the bill.

This does not apply if:

• the solicitor has issued proceedings for payment of the bill, or
• the costs are subject to a contentious business agreement – see section 64(2) of the Solicitors Act 1974

However, you might wish to explain to your client that their request has the dramatic effect of cancelling the original gross sum bill.

If, when going through your file, you consider you did not include all of your costs in the original bill, you are free to draw up a bill for the higher amount.