The Taxing Office of the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland has today issued formal notification of an increase to the standard professional hourly rate recoverable by solicitors in Northern Ireland. This follows a recent review undertaken by a working group chaired by Mr Justice McAlinden, which included independent analysis by BDO NI.

From 1st June 2025, the Solicitors’ Hourly Rate will rise from £102.00 to £155.00 per hour (an increase of approximately 50%) for work assessed on the standard basis pursuant to a court order for taxation. This increase does not apply retrospectively; the existing rate will continue to apply to all work completed up to and including 31st May 2025.

The new rate will remain in effect until 1st April 2027, providing some certainty for assessments pending further work on inflation-adjustment methodology.

You can find more information here Taxing Office - The Hourly Rate notification April 25 - 29.04.25_0.pdf.

Please feel free to get in touch should you require any further clarification or to discuss the potential impact of these changes on costs recovery.