CPR Part 45 & Practice Direction 45
Fixed recoverable costs
Fixed recoverable costs (FRC) are the amounts of costs CPR Part 45 allows in the categories of claim it applies to, instead of costs being assessed case-by-case. Every table below is reproduced verbatim from Practice Direction 45, together with the CPR 45 rule that says when it applies. For an interactive lookup by track, band, and stage, use the fixed recoverable costs estimator.
Scope of Part 45
CPR 45.1(1) — Scope of this Part
This Part sets out the amounts to be allowed for costs in the categories of claim to which it applies.
CPR 45.1(3) — Scope of this Part
Where— ... subject to rule 44.5 and to the application of any rule in those Sections or this Section by which costs are to be allowed, disallowed, increased or reduced, the court may only award costs in an amount that is neither more nor less than the fixed costs allowed by the applicable Section and set out in the relevant table in Practice Direction 45, unless the paying party and the receiving party have each expressly agreed that this Part should not apply.
CPR 45.1(8)–(9) — Scope of this Part
Subject to paragraph (9), a reference in any rule to an amount in a table in Practice Direction 45 is a reference to the amount applicable to a claim on the date that proceedings are issued, regardless of any subsequent amendment. (9) In respect of any amendment made to Table 12, Table 14 or Table 15 which comes into force on 6th April 2024, the amounts in those Tables as so amended are also applicable to any order for costs made after that date in a claim issued before that date.
Claiming more than the fixed recoverable costs
CPR 45.9(1) — Claims for an amount of costs exceeding fixed recoverable costs
The court may consider a claim for an amount of costs (excluding disbursements) which is greater than the fixed recoverable costs referred to in Section VI, Section VII or Section VIII of this Part where there are exceptional circumstances making it appropriate to do so.
CPR 45.10(1) — Claims for an amount of costs exceeding fixed recoverable costs – vulnerability
The court may consider a claim for an amount of costs (excluding disbursements) which is greater than the fixed recoverable costs referred to in Section VI, Section VII or Section VIII of this Part where— (a)a party or witness for the party is vulnerable; (b)that vulnerability has required additional work to be undertaken; and (c)by reason of that additional work alone, the claim is for an amount that is at least 20% greater than the amount of fixed recoverable costs.
Pre-action and interim applications
CPR 45.8 — Pre-action and interim applications
Where, in any claim to which Section VI, Section VII or Section VIII of this Part applies, the court makes an order for the costs of a pre-action or interim application, the costs which a party may be allowed are those set out in Table 1, together with any appropriate court fee.
TABLE 1: rule 45.8 – pre-action and interim applications
Where, in any claim to which Section VI, Section VII or Section VIII of this Part applies, the court makes an order for the costs of a pre-action or interim application, the costs which a party may be allowed are those set out in Table 1, together with any appropriate court fee.
| A. A claim which would normally be or is assigned to complexity bands 1, 2 of 3 of Table 12 | £250 |
| B. A claim— (a) which would normally be or is assigned to complexity band 4 of Table 12; or (b) to which Table 14 or Table 15 applies | £333 |
| C. An application for— (a) summary judgment under Part 24; (b) an interim payment under Part 25; or (c) an interim injunction under Part 25 | £750 |
Source: justice.gov.uk — Practice Direction 45 (fetched 2026-08-24).
RTA and EL/PL Protocols
CPR 45.28 — Application of fixed costs and disbursements
The only costs allowed are— (a)the fixed costs in accordance with Table 10 and Table 11; and (b)the disbursements in accordance with Section IX of this Part.
CPR 45.29(1)–(2) — Amount of fixed costs
In Table 10 and Table 11— 'Type A fixed costs' means the legal representative's costs; 'Type B fixed costs' means the advocate's costs; and 'Type C fixed costs' means the costs for the advice on the amount of damages where the claimant is a child. (2) 'Advocate' means a person exercising a right of audience as a representative of, or on behalf of, a party.
TABLE 10: rule 45.29 – amount of fixed costs (RTA Protocol)
The only costs allowed are— (a)the fixed costs in accordance with Table 10 and Table 11; and (b)the disbursements in accordance with Section IX of this Part.
| Where the value of the claim for damages is not more than £10,000 | Where the value of the claim for damages is more than £10,000 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 fixed costs | £200 | Stage 1 fixed costs | £200 |
| Stage 2 fixed costs | £300 | Stage 2 fixed costs | £600 |
| Stage 3 – Type A fixed costs | £250 | Stage 3 – Type A fixed costs | £250 |
| Stage 3 – Type B fixed costs | £250 | Stage 3 – Type B fixed costs | £250 |
| Stage 3 – Type C fixed costs | £150 | Stage 3 – Type C fixed costs | £150 |
Source: justice.gov.uk — Practice Direction 45 (fetched 2026-08-24).
TABLE 11: rule 45.29 – amount of fixed costs (EL/PL Protocol)
The only costs allowed are— (a)the fixed costs in accordance with Table 10 and Table 11; and (b)the disbursements in accordance with Section IX of this Part.
| Where the value of the claim for damages is not more than £10,000 | Where the value of the claim for damages is more than £10,000 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 fixed costs | £300 | Stage 1 fixed costs | £300 |
| Stage 2 fixed costs | £600 | Stage 2 fixed costs | £1300 |
| Stage 3 – Type A fixed costs | £250 | Stage 3 – Type A fixed costs | £250 |
| Stage 3 – Type B fixed costs | £250 | Stage 3 – Type B fixed costs | £250 |
| Stage 3 – Type C fixed costs | £150 | Stage 3 – Type C fixed costs | £150 |
Source: justice.gov.uk — Practice Direction 45 (fetched 2026-08-24).
Fast track
CPR 45.43 — Scope (fast track)
This Section applies to any claim which would normally be or is allocated to the fast track. (2) This Section does not apply where Section IV, Section VII or Section VIII of this Part applies.
CPR 45.44 — Amount of fixed costs (fast track)
For so long as the claim is allocated neither to the small claims track, the intermediate track or the multi-track, the only costs allowed in any claim which would normally be or is allocated to the fast track are (a)the fixed costs in Table 12; and (b)the disbursements as set out in Section IX of this Part.
CPR 45.45(1) — Fixed costs (Table 12 notes)
In Table 12— (a)unless stated otherwise, "damages"— (i)means any form of monetary relief; (ii)in a claim which has no monetary value, shall be taken to mean an amount equivalent to— (aa)£10,000 in a claim assigned to complexity band 2; (bb)£15,000 in a claim assigned to complexity band 3; and (cc)£20,000 in a claim assigned to complexity band 4; ... (b)the figures in each of stages A to C are the cumulative totals for costs incurred up to and including that stage; (c)the figures in stage D are separate sums where the claim is disposed of at trial; and (d)a reference to a 'trial' is a reference to the final hearing.
CPR 45.46(1)–(2) — Specialist legal advice (Table 13)
Where a claim would normally be assigned to complexity band 4, under rule 26.15 in addition to the costs allowable in Table 12, the fixed costs may include an amount in accordance with Table 13. (2) The additional costs in Table 13 are only allowable where— (a)the legal advice is obtained from, or a statement of case is drafted by— (i)a specialist legal representative in respect of a matter within their specialist expertise; or (ii)the intended trial advocate; and (b)the use of that person to provide the advice or draft the statement of case is justified.
TABLE 12: rule 45.44 – amount of fixed costs in the fast track
For so long as the claim is allocated neither to the small claims track, the intermediate track or the multi-track, the only costs allowed in any claim which would normally be or is allocated to the fast track are (a)the fixed costs in Table 12; and (b)the disbursements as set out in Section IX of this Part.
| Complexity Band | Complexity Band | Complexity Band | Complexity Band | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| A. If Parties reach a settlement prior to the claimant issuing proceedings under Part 7 | ||||
| (1) Where damages are not more than £5,000 | £ Nil | The greater of £681 or £124 + an amount equivalent to 20% of the damages | £1,136 + an amount equivalent to 17.5% of the damages | In each case— £2,684 + an amount equivalent to 15% of the damages + £526 per extra defendant |
| (2) Where damages are more than £5,000, but not more than £10,000 | £ Nil | £1,342 + an amount equivalent to 15% of damages over £5,000 | £2,271 + an amount equivalent to 12.5% of damages over £5,000 | |
| (3) Where damages are more than £10,000 | £599 | £2,374 + an amount equivalent to 10% of damages over £10,000 | £3,097 + an amount equivalent to 10% of damages over £10,000 | |
| B. If proceedings are issued under Part 7, but the case settles or is discontinued before trial | ||||
| (1) On or after the date that the court issues the claim, but before the date that the court allocates the claim under Part 26 | £2,168 | £1,445 + an amount equivalent to 20% of the damages | £3,303 + an amount equivalent to 20% of the damages | £3,097 + an amount equivalent to 40% of the damages + £785 per extra defendant |
| (2) On or after the date that the court allocates the claim under Part 26, but before the date that the court lists the claim for trial | £2,581 | £2,374 + an amount equivalent to 20% of the damages | £4,129 + an amount equivalent to 25% of the damages | £6,607 + an amount equivalent to 40% of the damages + £785 per extra defendant |
| (3)On or after the date that the court lists the claim for trial but before trial | £3,923 | £3,303 + an amount equivalent to 20% of the damages | £5,265 + an amount equivalent to 30% of the damages | £8,155 + an amount equivalent to 40% of the damages + £785 per extra defendant |
| C. If the claim is disposed of at trial | ||||
| — | £3,923 | £3,303 + an amount equivalent to 20% of the damages agreed or awarded | £5,265 + an amount equivalent to 30% of the damages agreed or awarded | £8,155 + an amount equivalent to 40% of the damages agreed or awarded + £785 per extra defendant |
| D. Trial advocacy fees | ||||
| (1) Where the value of the claim is not more than £3,000 | £619 | £619 | £619 | £1,652 |
| (2) Where the value of the claim is more than £3,000, but not more than £10,000 | £877 | £877 | £877 | £1,652 |
| (3) Where the value of the claim is more than £10,000, but not more than £15,000 | £1,342 | £1,342 | £1,342 | £2,168 |
| (4) Where the value of the claim is more than £15,000 | £2,168 | £2,168 | £2,168 | £2,994 |
| (5) Where the claim is listed for trial, but is removed from the list or settled— on the day of trial; or not more than 1 day before the date listed for trial | 100% of the applicable trial advocacy fee | |||
| (6) Where the claim is listed for trial, but is removed from the list or settled more than 1 day, but not more than 2 days, before the date listed for trial | 75% of the applicable trial advocacy fee". | |||
Source markup gap: in section A (rows (2) and (3)), the published HTML table has no complexity-band-4 cell — no <td> and no colspan/rowspan attribute to say why. Row A(1)'s band-4 cell reads 'In each case— £2,684 + an amount equivalent to 15% of the damages + £526 per extra defendant', which visually appears intended to span rows (1)-(3), but the source markup does not state this. This data file and the estimator do not display or compute a band-4 figure for rows A(2) and A(3); read Table 12 directly on justice.gov.uk for that combination.
Source: justice.gov.uk — Practice Direction 45 (fetched 2026-08-24).
TABLE 13: rule 45.46 – specialist legal advice
Where a claim would normally be assigned to complexity band 4, under rule 26.15 in addition to the costs allowable in Table 12, the fixed costs may include an amount in accordance with Table 13.
| A. Providing post-issue advice in writing or in conference | £1,000 |
| B. Drafting a statement of case | £500 |
Source: justice.gov.uk — Practice Direction 45 (fetched 2026-08-24).
Intermediate track
CPR 45.49 — Scope (intermediate track)
This Section sets out the costs which are to be allowed in any claim which would normally be or is allocated to the intermediate track. (2) This Section does not apply where Section IV, Section VI or Section VIII of this Part applies.
CPR 45.50(1)–(2) — Amount of fixed costs (intermediate track, Table 14 notes)
For as long as the case is not allocated to the multi-track, the only costs allowed in any claim which would normally be or is allocated to the intermediate track are— (a)the fixed costs in Table 14; and (b)the disbursements as set out in Section IX of this Part. (2) In Table 14— (a)a reference to a date set by the court means the first date so set, notwithstanding that the parties may agree an extension to a later date, unless the court orders otherwise; (b)unless stated otherwise, "damages"— (i)means any form of monetary relief; or (ii)in a claim which has no monetary value, shall be taken to mean an amount equivalent to— (aa)£25,000 in a claim assigned to complexity band 1; (bb)£50,000 in a claim assigned to complexity band 2; (cc)£75,000 in a claim assigned to complexity band 3; and (dd)£100,000 in a claim assigned to complexity band 4;
CPR 45.50(3) — Amount of fixed costs (intermediate track, stage S1)
The costs to be awarded for stage S1 are subject to assessment up to a maximum of the figure shown for stage S1 in Table 14, except in a claim for personal injuries where the figure shown is fixed.
TABLE 14: rule 45.50 – amount of fixed costs in the intermediate track
For as long as the case is not allocated to the multi-track, the only costs allowed in any claim which would normally be or is allocated to the intermediate track are— (a)the fixed costs in Table 14; and (b)the disbursements as set out in Section IX of this Part.
| Complexity Band | Complexity Band | Complexity Band | Complexity Band | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| S1 From pre-issue up to and including the date of service of the defence | £1,652 + an amount equivalent to 3% of the damages | £5,162 + an amount equivalent to 6% of the damages | £6,607 + an amount equivalent to 6% of the damages | £9,601 + an amount equivalent to 8% of the damages |
| S2 Specialist legal representative providing post-issue advice in writing or in conference or drafting a statement of case | £2,065 | £2,065 | (a) £2,374; or (b) £3,613 if counsel is also instructed to draft a defence to a counterclaim | (a) £2,374; or (b) £3,613 if counsel is also instructed to draft a defence to a counterclaim |
| S3 From the date of service of the defence up to the earlier of the date set for CMC or the order giving directions under 28.2 | £4,129 + an amount equivalent to 10% of the damages | £7,949 + an amount equivalent to 12% of the damages | £9,394 + an amount equivalent to 12% of the damages | £13,420 + an amount equivalent to 14% of the damages |
| S4 From the end of Stage 3 up to and including the date set by the court for inspection of documents | £4,749 + an amount equivalent to 12% of the damages | £9,704 + an amount equivalent to 14% of the damages | £11,356 + an amount equivalent to 14% of the damages | £16,517 + an amount equivalent to 16% of the damages |
| S5 From the end of Stage 4 up to and including the later of the dates set by the court for service of witness statements or expert reports | £5,368 + an amount equivalent to 12% of the damages | £11,356 + an amount equivalent to 16% of the damages | £12,388 + an amount equivalent to 16% of the damages | £20,647 + an amount equivalent to 18% of the damages |
| S6 From the end of Stage 5 up to and including the date set for the pre-trial review or up to 14 days before the trial date, whichever is earlier | £6,091 + an amount equivalent to 15% of the damages | £15,485 + an amount equivalent to 16% of the damages | £16,517 + an amount equivalent to 16% of the damages | £24,776 + an amount equivalent to 18% of the damages |
| S7 Specialist legal representative advising in writing or in conference following the filing of a defence | £1,445 | £1,755 | £2,374 | £2,994 |
| S8 From the end of Stage 6 up to the date of the trial | £6,813 + an amount equivalent to 15% of the damages, less £599 if that party did not prepare the trial bundle | £17,550 + an amount equivalent to 20% of the damages, less £898 if that party did not prepare the trial bundle | £19,614 + an amount equivalent to 20% of the damages, less £1,239 if that party did not prepare the trial bundle | £29,938 + an amount equivalent to 22% of the damages, less £1,445 if that party did not prepare the trial bundle |
| S9 Attendance of a legal representative (other than the trial advocate) at trial per day, less an amount equivalent to 50% per day where, on any day, the trial lasts no more than half a day | £599 | £898 | £1,239 | £1,445 |
| S10 Advocacy fee: day 1 | £3,303 | £3,613 | £4,129 | £5,988 |
| S11 Advocacy fees for subsequent days, less an amount equivalent to 50% per day where, on any subsequent day, the trial lasts no more than half a day | £1,445 | £1,755 | £2,065 | £2,994 |
| S12 Handing down of a reserved judgment and consequential matters, where dealt with separately from the trial | £599 | £599 | £599 | £599 |
| S13 Alternative Dispute Resolution: additional fee payable once only where a mediation or joint settlement meeting takes place | £1,239 | £1,239 | £1,239 | £1,239 |
| S14 Alternative Dispute Resolution: additional fee payable once only for specialist legal representative attendance at a mediation or joint settlement meeting covered by S13 | £1,445 | £1,755 | £2,065 | £2,374 |
| S15 Approval of settlement for child, unless the settlement is approved at trial | £1,239 | £1,445 | £1,755 | £2,065 |
| S16 Advocacy fee— (a) where the claim is listed for trial, but is removed from the list or settled— (i) on the day of trial; or not more than 1 day before the date listed for trial; | 100% of the applicable advocacy fee in S10 | |||
| (b) where the claim is listed for trial, but is removed from the list or settled more than 1 day, but not more than 5 days, before the date listed for trial | 75% of the applicable advocacy fee in S10 |
Source: justice.gov.uk — Practice Direction 45 (fetched 2026-08-24).
Noise induced hearing loss claims
CPR 45.52 — Scope (noise induced hearing loss)
This Section sets out the costs which are to be allowed in any claim for noise induced hearing loss which— (a)has been or should have been started under Annex E of the Pre-Action Protocol for Disease and Illness Claims; and (b)would normally be or is allocated to the fast track. (2) Subject to rule 45.6(3), or unless a rule in this Section provides otherwise, the costs which are to be allowed are applicable to both claimants and defendants.
CPR 45.53(1)–(2) — Amount of fixed costs (NIHL, Table 15)
The only costs allowed in any claim to which this Section applies are— (a)the fixed costs in Table 15; and (b)the disbursements set out in Section IX of this Part. (2) The cost of any additional pre-litigation advice is included within the Stage A costs and is not separately recoverable.
CPR 45.54(1) — More than one defendant (NIHL)
In Table 15, the reference to the number of defendants is to the number of active defendants against whom the claimant obtains a settlement or an award of damages.
TABLE 15: rule 45.53 – amount of fixed costs in claims for noise induced hearing loss
The only costs allowed in any claim to which this Section applies are— (a)the fixed costs in Table 15; and (b)the disbursements set out in Section IX of this Part.
| Stage | 1 Defendant | 2 Defendants | 3 Defendants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: Pre-Litigation | |||
| 2A: Liability admitted, papers not prepared to start proceedings | £2,994 | £3,613 | £4,129 |
| 2B: Liability admitted, papers prepared to start proceedings | £3,613 | £4,129 | £4,749 |
| 3A: Liability disputed, papers not prepared to start proceedings | £4,129 | £4,749 | £5,368 |
| 3B: Liability disputed, papers prepared to start proceedings | £4,749 | £5,368 | £5,988 |
| B: Post-Litigation | |||
| L1: On or after the date that the court issues the claim, but before the date that the court allocates the claim under Part 26 | Add £1,961 | Add £2,374 | Add £2,787 |
| L2: On or after the date that the court allocates the claim under Part 26, but before the date that the court lists the claim for trial | Add a further £1,961 | Add a further £2,374 | Add a further £2,787 |
| L3 On or after the date that the court lists the claim for trial but before the trial | Add a further £2,271 | Add a further £2,684 | Add a further £3,097 |
| Maximum possible (3B+L1+L2+L3) | £10,942 | £12,800 | £14,659 |
| C: Trial advocacy fees | |||
| Single fee irrespective of value or number of defendants | £1,652 | £1,652 | £1,652 |
Source: justice.gov.uk — Practice Direction 45 (fetched 2026-08-24).
Restoration proceedings
CPR 45.15A(1)–(2) — Restoration proceedings
This rule applies to claims to which Section VI, Section VII or Section VIII apply. (2) Where— (a)it is necessary for the claimant to make an application in separate proceedings to restore a defendant company to the Companies Register; and (b)the claimant is successful in their claim and obtains an order for costs against that defendant, the fixed costs may include the amount specified in Table 15A (inclusive of any advocate's fees incurred) in respect of the restoration proceedings, together with the disbursements allowed under paragraph (2) of that Table.
TABLE 15A: rule 45.15A – amount of fixed costs and disbursements in restoration proceedings
Where— (a)it is necessary for the claimant to make an application in separate proceedings to restore a defendant company to the Companies Register; and (b)the claimant is successful in their claim and obtains an order for costs against that defendant, the fixed costs may include the amount specified in Table 15A (inclusive of any advocate's fees incurred) in respect of the restoration proceedings, together with the disbursements allowed under paragraph (2) of that Table.
| (1) Fixed costs under rule 45.15A(2) | £1,280 |
| (2) Disbursements— (a) any fees charged by the Government Legal Department or the solicitors to the Duchy of Lancaster or the Duchy of Cornwall; (b) any court fees; (c) the disc fee; and (d) any adjournment fee | |
Source: justice.gov.uk — Practice Direction 45 (fetched 2026-08-24).
Disbursements
CPR 45.59 — Disbursements – Section VI (fast track)
Subject to rule 45.15A, in a claim to which Section VI applies, the court may allow a claim for a disbursement of a type in mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b)— ... (vii)a sum not exceeding the amount specified in Table 16 for any loss of earnings or loss of leave by a party or witness due to attending a hearing or to staying away from home for the purpose of attending a hearing;
TABLE 16: rule 45.59 – amount of allowable disbursements for loss of earnings or loss of leave
Subject to rule 45.15A, in a claim to which Section VI applies, the court may allow a claim for a disbursement of a type in mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b)— (a)in a claim started under a relevant Protocol to which Section IV applies ... (vii)a sum not exceeding the amount specified in Table 16 for any loss of earnings or loss of leave by a party or witness due to attending a hearing or to staying away from home for the purpose of attending a hearing;
| A. Where the value of the claim for damages is not more than £10,000 | £95, per day, for each person |
| B. Where the value of the claim for damages is more than £10,000 | £135, per day, for each person |
Source: justice.gov.uk — Practice Direction 45 (fetched 2026-08-24).
All tables and rule quotes on this page are drawn from CPR Part 45 and Practice Direction 45 on justice.gov.uk, fetched 2026-08-24.