Key Takeaways
- A Costs and Case Management Conference (CCMC) in civil litigation is a court hearing where the judge sets the timetable for your case and approves your costs budget—typically using Precedent H forms.
- A complete, thoroughly prepared costs budget is crucial, as the court can restrict your recoverable costs if your budget is incomplete or filed late.
- Failure to meet the required procedural steps or non-attendance can result in sanctions severely affecting your case and financial recovery.
- The Civil Procedure Rules impose strict deadlines for serving costs budgets; missing these can expose you to major financial consequences.
- Inaction or poor preparation risks your legal costs being capped and your case proceeding on a timetable imposed by the court, often to your detriment.
- Common mistakes include submitting incorrect or missing documents, failing to prepare Precedent H, or not addressing key points likely to arise before the judge.
- Our firm is rated Excellent on Trustpilot with more than 130 five-star reviews and a 4.9/5 rating from commercial clients, professionals, and businesses.
- Our award-winning litigation solicitors advise clients on CCMC preparation, ensuring every document, form, and deadline is satisfied the first time.
For step-by-step guidance on your CCMC strategy or a free document check, phone 0207 459 4037 or request a Free Consultation today.
What Happens at a Costs and Case Management Conference (CCMC) in UK Litigation?
A Costs and Case Management Conference is a court hearing, usually in multi-track cases, where the judge sets the framework that controls how your litigation will proceed and how much you might recover in legal costs if successful. This hearing decides the timetable for each key phase—such as disclosure, evidence deadlines, and the trial window—and scrutinises your entire future spend using costs budgets submitted on Precedent H.
- The judge expects the parties, or their solicitors, to be able to make binding commitments at the CCMC.
- The court will review the history of your claim, address pending applications, and hash out points of dispute around directions, deadlines, or the need for expert evidence.
- Both sides must present their costs budgets, defend their projected legal spend, and justify any unusual or large costs.
Careful CCMC preparation, including the negotiation of directions and cooperation where possible, can reduce both cost and litigation stress later.
Why is a CCMC Important for Your Case? The Purpose and Impact
A CCMC is designed to promote efficiency, certainty, and fairness—from the earliest practical stage of the case. The court uses the hearing to:
- Ensure legal costs remain proportionate to the value and complexity of the dispute.
- Define each step in the litigation process, with dates fixed for disclosure, witness statements, experts, and trial.
- Prevent wasteful or unnecessary procedural steps.
- Bring both parties to clear, early communication—reducing the risk of disruptive, last-minute disputes.
A lack of preparation or adversarial stance at the CCMC can lead to a timetable set entirely by the court, limiting your say and placing your legal team under avoidable pressure.
How Does the Court Set Timetable and Costs Budgets at a CCMC?
At the CCMC, the judge finalises how and when every key action in your case must be taken. The process is as follows:
- Each party files a set of proposed case management directions (step-by-step orders setting deadlines for disclosure, witness evidence, experts, and trial).
- The Precedent H costs budget is filed—showing projected legal spend for each litigation phase.
- Points of disagreement on the directions or timetable are identified for the judge.
- Both budgets are scrutinised by the judge, who can reduce or adjust figures if deemed disproportionate or unjustified.
- The judge hands down an order setting the enforceable timetable and approving, amending, or capping your future recoverable costs.
Engaging constructively before the CCMC and providing clear explanations for your budget is the foundation for obtaining a fair schedule and maximising costs recovery.
Preparing for a CCMC: Documents, Precedent H, and Crucial Deadlines
Effective CCMC preparation requires more than just ticking boxes. Key documents and steps include:
- Draft case management directions (preferably agreed in advance with your opponent)
- A fully completed and signed Precedent H, breaking down incurred and impending legal costs
- A Budget Discussion Report (Precedent R), confirming agreements and disputes on budget items
- Supporting evidence for exceptional costs, such as expert quotations or higher counsel fees
- Filing and exchange must strictly follow CPR 3.13: serve budgets at least 21 days before the CCMC, and Precedent R at least 7 days before (unless varied by the court).
Meticulous diary management and early document preparation are critical advantages. Our expert lawyers routinely conduct document reviews and deadline checks for clients to avoid costly mistakes.
What Is Precedent H? How to Complete Your Costs Budget for the CCMC
Precedent H is the mandatory form used to set out all projected costs for the various litigation stages in most multi-track cases. Completion must be clear, detailed, and justified, as the form anchors what you can claim back if you win.
- The form requires a phase-by-phase breakdown: pre-action, statements of case, disclosure, witness evidence, expert evidence, preparation, trial.
- Costs incurred so far must be clearly separated from estimated future legal spend.
- Each significant figure, such as expert fees (e.g., £3,000–£12,000), must be justified with quotations or relevant supporting documentation.
- Unsubstantiated, vague, or blanket costs entries will be slashed by the court or disallowed entirely.
A well-prepared Precedent H can be the difference between full and limited cost recovery—always prioritise clarity, evidence, and narrative.
Risks and Sanctions for Failing to Prepare for the CCMC
The consequences for failing to prepare, filing the wrong documents, or missing deadlines are severe and enforced strictly by the courts.
- If you fail to file a compliant costs budget (Precedent H) on time, CPR 3.14 restricts your recoverable costs to basic court fees unless you successfully apply for ‘relief from sanctions’.
- The judge may also set an aggressive timetable, block you from using desired experts, or impose severe costs penalties for disrupting the case management process.
Acting promptly, with complete and accurate forms, is essential to protect your position.
What Decisions Will the Judge Make at the CCMC?
At the close of the hearing, the judge will issue a comprehensive case management order dictating the course of the litigation, including:
- A full timetable with fixed deadlines for disclosure, evidence, and trial.
- Mandatory procedural steps, such as mediation or expert evidence restrictions, applicable to both sides.
- Final approval, amendment, or capping of the budgets—sometimes with reasons for reductions.
- Provision for follow-up reviews or further costs management hearings if needed.
- Directions or warnings addressing any procedural breaches or failures to cooperate.
Being thoroughly prepared on the day maximises your control and flexibility throughout the litigation.
Common Pitfalls and Best Practice in CCMC Preparation
Repeated errors can irreparably damage your litigation budget or credibility with the judge:
- Filing Precedent H or the Budget Discussion Report late or incorrectly.
- Vague or inflated budget figures without evidence.
- Failing to liaise with your opponent to either agree or narrow disputes over the directions or budget.
- Treating the CCMC as mere formality—when, in reality, it is a critical, binding step, often setting the trajectory (and cost risks) for months to come.
Open negotiation, precise documentation, and early expert input can substantially improve your case’s direction at this pivotal hearing.
Remote and In-Person CCMCs: What Has Changed Since 2020?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, courts have embraced remote hearings for many CCMCs, particularly those dealing with procedural and costs matters. The judge decides the hearing format—options include telephone, video, hybrid, or in-person sessions.
- In complex or document-heavy cases, parties may still be required to attend in person.
- Hybrid hearings allow some participants to appear remotely and others at court.
- The court will expect both sides to have tested their technology and provided secure electronic document bundles in advance.
Correct planning and familiarity with remote platforms ensure your submissions—and advocacy—are not undermined by avoidable glitches.
What Laws and Deadlines Apply to CCMC in England and Wales?
The CCMC process is governed by key parts of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR):
| Rule | Summary | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| CPR 3.12–3.18 | Sets specific rules for costs management, budget filing, revision, and seeking relief from sanctions | Compulsory for multi-track litigation, unless expressly excluded |
| CPR 3.13 | Budgets must be served and filed at court at least 21 days before the first CCMC | Failure means cost recovery can be severely restricted |
| CPR 3.14 | Late or missing budgets limit recoverable costs to court fees, unless relief granted | The rule is enforced strictly |
Go Legal Insight: Case law since 2013—such as Mitchell and Denton—has made judges less sympathetic to missed budgeting deadlines or errors. Always act immediately if you become aware of a slip.
Being alert to key deadlines and court-specific requirements is essential. If a mistake happens, immediately seek advice on applying for relief.
What Do Leading Court Cases Say About CCMC and Costs Budgeting?
Three high-profile cases shape modern costs management:
| Case | Facts | Outcome | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2013] | Costs budget filed late | Restricted to fees | Courts strictly enforce deadlines |
| Denton v TH White Ltd [2014] | Late budget, sought relief | Three-stage test set | Established criteria for relief from sanctions |
| Henry v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2013] | Disproportionate costs | Costs reduced | Reinforces proportionality and early justification |
Judges expect both realism and compliance. Don’t risk your financial position by leaving compliance or budget scrutiny until the last minute.
Practical CCMC Preparation Checklist
A step-by-step approach maximises your position:
- Record all court deadlines, especially for Precedent H and the Budget Discussion Report.
- Prepare a clear, truthful, and fully evidenced costs budget (Precedent H), with referenced quotations for key items.
- Engage with the opposing side to agree draft directions and limit disputed issues.
- File and serve the Budget Discussion Report (Precedent R) on time.
- Assemble supporting evidence, such as expert quotations and counsel’s fee estimates.
- Test all remote technology and confirm delivery of electronic bundles for remote or hybrid hearings.
- Prepare an executive summary to explain your directions and costs to the judge succinctly.
- Bring an up-to-date case file and be ready to answer real-time queries at the CCMC.
- Immediately follow the case management order post-CCMC; contact us if in doubt about your obligations.
Get in touch for a tailored CCMC checklist or for us to review your documents before the hearing.
Our Winning Approach to CCMC Litigation
Our team is experienced in complex CCMC strategy and process, offering clients:
- Fixed-fee review and preparation of Precedent H and all supporting budget documents, tailored to your dispute’s size and sector.
- Secure client portals for easy, confidential document sharing and management.
- Real-time advice via WhatsApp client groups, providing immediate support for unexpected developments.
- Robust, evidence-based negotiation to challenge inflated opponent budgets, utilising all relevant case law and prior CCMC orders.
- Early advice on directions, budget drafting, and document compliance—minimising risk of adverse orders or delayed litigation.
- Support with remote hearing technology and e-bundle management to eliminate preventable disruptions.
- No-win-no-fee structures for qualifying commercial cases, keeping our interests aligned with yours.
Our commercial and professional clients trust us to secure results, streamline their costs, and ensure full legal compliance from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss the costs budget deadline for a CCMC?
Usually, your recoverable costs will be restricted to court fees only. Unless you promptly apply for relief with a strong justification, this restriction is strictly enforced.
Do I need to attend the CCMC in person or can it be remote?
Many hearings are now held remotely via video or phone, depending on the judge’s directions. Always confirm with the court office and raise any accessibility issues ahead of time.
Can the court change my costs budget during the CCMC?
Yes. The judge can amend, reduce, or cap any budget figure at the hearing, particularly if costs are not evidence-based or justified.
What if the other party fails to serve their costs budget on time?
The court may restrict them to recovering court fees only. Raise this issue at the CCMC; you should not be disadvantaged by their non-compliance.
Is Precedent H required for all cases?
Precedent H is mandatory for nearly all multi-track cases, except where specifically excluded by the rules or a court order.
How much involvement do I have in setting the timetable?
The parties propose and, ideally, negotiate the timetable before the CCMC, but the judge makes the final decision.
Are any other forms required besides Precedent H?
The Budget Discussion Report (Precedent R) is compulsory, and the court may require further forms depending on the dispute.
What should I do about an unrealistic opponent budget?
State your objections in Precedent R and be ready to address each point before the judge at the CCMC, supported by evidence and logical argument.
When will I receive the court’s CCMC order?
Orders are usually issued within one week. Contact the court if there is a delay.
Can I appeal a CCMC decision?
You can apply for permission to appeal, but must act swiftly and present persuasive grounds.
Get Expert Support for Your CCMC Preparation Today
A CCMC is a critical event in every multi-track case. Missing deadlines, submitting incomplete forms, or failing to meaningfully participate can lead to significant cost penalties, limited recovery—even irreparable harm to your claim. Early, strategic preparation and a detailed Precedent H are vital to protecting your recovery and your timetable.
Our experienced solicitors have a proven track record securing robust costs budgets, compliant documents, and persuasive advocacy at CCMCs for businesses, directors, professionals, and claimants across England and Wales. If you need confidence preparing your CCMC strategy, directions, or Precedent H, our team is ready to offer practical, results-driven advice.
