This chapter discusses the issue of costs management in litigation. The problem with overall cost is central to many of the current challenges to litigation. It is in the best interests of litigation as a process, and of litigation lawyers who want to maintain the role of litigation, to ensure that litigation becomes as cost-effective as possible. To improve cost-effectiveness, costs need to become more transparent, more manageable as the costs of the case build, with end results as to costs that are more predictable. The chapter discusses the role of costs budgets; orders for costs at an interim hearing; options for parties in terms of practical costs protection; and wasted costs orders against legal representatives.
