New Guideline Hourly Rates for Summary Assessment ================================================= [Ellie Hagan](https://vardags.com/solicitors/ellie-hagan) | Associate | 25th August 2021 After over ten years without any change, new Guideline Hourly Rates have finally been approved by the Master of the Rolls, to come into effect from 1 October 2021. These represent a 'modest' increase in the hourly rates that clients can hope to recover when a costs award is made against the other side in civil litigation. Under the new Guideline Hourly Rates, central London firms carrying out heavy commercial or corporate work are singled out for the top rates. However, there is room for significantly increased rates to be recovered where, for example, the matter is particularly complex or urgent, or there is an international element. The previous guideline rates had been widely criticised for being out of touch with the reality in the legal industry. It is to be hoped that these changes will result in increased costs awards for clients which much better reflect standard charging practices in London and beyond. It is also to be hoped, however, that courts will recognise that the increases are only modest and will continue to be willing to award higher rates where appropriate. Find the link to announcement [here](https://www.judiciary.uk/publications/master-of-the-rolls-accepts-recommended-changes-to-guideline-hourly-rates/). "Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png) "Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year"![GG2](https://vardags.com/images/logo/gg2-3.png) "Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge "A handful of firms dominate the so-called 'glamour' end of the market ... Vardags"The Times "One of the best divorce lawyers in the country"Marie Claire "Ayesha Vardag - 'diva of divorce' for the world's super rich" ![BBC](https://vardags.com/images/logo/bbc.png) "Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius."Lewis Marks KC "Ayesha Vardag - the Queen of divorce"Daily Mail "Vardags brilliantly argued my case to a resounding victory"Pauline Chai (client) "Britain's top divorce lawyer" ![The Telegraph](https://vardags.com/images/logo/telegraph.png) More Civil Litigation news -------------------------- [New Guideline Hourly Rates for Summary Assessment](https://vardags.com/posts/new-guideline-hourly-rates-for-summary-assessment "New Guideline Hourly Rates for Summary Assessment") ["A powerful ally and formidable foe": What makes an effective litigation lawyer?](https://vardags.com/posts/what-makes-an-effective-litigation-lawyer "A powerful ally and formidable foe: What makes an effective litigation lawyer?") [The new normal? Florida court holds first ever fully virtual jury trial](https://vardags.com/posts/jury-trial-conducted-on-zoom-for-first-time "The new normal? Florida court holds first ever fully virtual jury trial") [The world of civil appeals to go viral](https://vardags.com/family-law/the-world-of-civil-appeals-to-go-viral "The world of civil appeals to go viral") [Andrew Moran QC on jurisdictions and British justice after Brexit](https://vardags.com/family-law/andrew-moran-qc-on-jurisdictions-post-brexit "Andrew Moran QC on jurisdictions and British justice after Brexit") Articles by Ellie Hagan ----------------------- [Personal conduct in financial remedy proceedings - a need for reform?](https://vardags.com/family-law/personal-conduct-in-financial-remedy-proceedings-reform "Personal conduct in financial remedy proceedings - a need for reform?") [New Guideline Hourly Rates for Summary Assessment](https://vardags.com/posts/new-guideline-hourly-rates-for-summary-assessment "New Guideline Hourly Rates for Summary Assessment") [Three reasons why women are more likely to divorce than men](https://vardags.com/family-law/reasons-why-women-more-likely-to-divorce "Three reasons why women are more likely to divorce than men") [Vardags named as one the UK's leading female-powered businesses](https://vardags.com/family-law/lawyers-vardags-one-of-top-200-female-powered-businesses "Vardags named as one the UK's leading female-powered businesses") ["Unparalleled" team at Vardags "will fight your case all the way and stop at nothing to win" finds Legal 500](https://vardags.com/posts/unparalleled-team-at-vardags-finds-legal-500 "Unparalleled team at Vardags will fight your case all the way and stop at nothing to win finds Legal 500")