The new guideline hourly rates (GHR) came into force on 1st January 2025. The new rates, which are shown below, represent an increase of 3.65% from the previous rates.
The Civil Justice Council has a working group that is tasked with considering whether there should be guideline rates relating to counsel fees and whether there should be a new higher rate for complex commercial work, that is not limited by the location in which the work was conducted.
Whilst the primary purpose of the GHR is to assist the courts in summary assessments of costs, some firms may have cause to increase the rates they charge their clients if they are typically in line with the GHR. Don’t forget that, regardless of the GHR, the rates any firm can charge their client are subject to what has been agreed in the retainer and that any increases must also be agreed, with appropriate notification.
Guideline hourly rates
| Grade | Fee earner | London 1 | London 2 | London 3 | National 1 | National 2 |
| A | Solicitors and legal executives with over 8 years’ experience | £566 | £413 | £312 | £288 | £282 |
| B | Solicitors and legal executives with over 4 years’ experience | £385 | £319 | £256 | £242 | £242 |
| C | Other solicitors or legal executives and fee earners of equivalent experience | £299 | £269 | £204 | £197 | £196 |
| D | Trainee solicitors, paralegals and other fee earners | £205 | £153 | £143 | £139 | £139 |
