“The 81st Update to the Civil Procedure Rules introduces changes in a number of areas. The majority of the amendments come into force on 1 October 2015”.

The major areas of interest are the pilot scheme for the new format bill of costs and the ever confusing Precedent Q.

From the 1st October 2015, any party wishing to commence detailed assessment proceedings, where a costs management order has been made, must also serve a Precedent Q with the bill of costs.

Precedent Q will breakdown the bill of costs by phase so the paying party and judiciary can compare the incurred costs and the budget.

Whilst only an interim measure until the new format bill of costs is properly introduced, the Precedent Q has already been the case of much discussion with both paying and receiving parties critical of the implementation.

It remains to be seen how much assistance it will provide and no doubt the discussions will rumble on until the new format bill is properly introduced.