This practice note stresses the importance of solicitors giving information to clients about costs. It summarises the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority Code of Conduct 2011 (SRA Code 2011) and other legal requirements, and provides suggestions for how the best information on costs can be provided to a client retaining a solicitor for dispute resolution, at the outset and throughout the retainer.

This note covers the requirements of the SRA Code 2011 (in force from 6 October 2011 to 24 November 2019). For the latest requirements, under the SRA Standards and Regulations 2019, see the new version of this note, Practice note, Informing the client as to costs: at outset of retainer and beyond.

For requirements of previous Codes, see related content.