SRA Transparency Rules require upfront pricing. Your estimate was £3,000. The bill is £5,200. The complaint is inevitable.
The SRA requires cost transparency at two levels: published pricing on your website for specified matter types (conveyancing, probate, motoring offences, employment tribunal, immigration, debt recovery, licensing), and individual costs information at the start of every retainer (SRA Code of Conduct Rule 8.7). Costs complaints are a leading category of Legal Ombudsman contacts. The most common issue: an initial estimate that bears little resemblance to the final bill, with no update along the way. Your agent drafts initial costs estimates from matter type and complexity, generates interim bills, tracks actual costs against estimates, and flags when the estimate needs updating — before the client receives an unexpectedly large bill.
What Your Agent Actually Does
Your agent drafts compliant costs estimates, tracks actual costs against estimates, and flags when updates are needed — preventing the billing surprises that drive complaints.
Drafts SRA Transparency Rules compliant estimates
For applicable matter types, your agent generates costs information that meets the SRA's specific requirements: total cost or meaningful range, basis of charging, services included/excluded, likely disbursements with estimated costs, VAT, typical stages, and timescales. Compliant with both the Transparency Rules and Rule 8.7.
Tracks actual costs against estimates
As time is recorded and disbursements are incurred, your agent compares actual costs to the estimate. When costs approach or exceed the estimate, the agent flags it immediately — giving the fee earner time to update the client before the bill arrives.
Generates interim bills and costs updates
Regular interim billing improves cash flow and prevents bill shock. Your agent drafts interim bills from time records and disbursements, and generates costs update letters when the estimate needs revising — maintaining the client communication the SRA expects.
Produces Solicitors Act compliant detailed bills
When a client disputes costs, they can require a detailed bill under the Solicitors Act 1974 Part III. Your agent produces detailed bills with itemised time entries, disbursements, and narratives — the format required for assessment proceedings.
Analyses billing data for pricing improvement
Over time, your agent learns what matters actually cost — by type, complexity, and fee earner. This data helps you set more accurate estimates, improve fixed-fee pricing, and identify matters that consistently exceed estimates.
The real numbers.
| Fee earner time on costs estimates and bills | £2,000–£5,000/year |
| Costs draftsman for detailed assessment bills | £500–£2,000/year |
| LeO complaints about billing | Variable (up to £50,000 compensation per complaint) |
| Realistic annual cost | £3,000–£8,000 |
| Agent build (one-off, configured to your billing structure and rates) | £2,500–£4,000 |
| Monthly running costs (hosting + AI usage) | £80–£140/month |
| SRA Transparency Rules updates | Included in first year |
| Realistic first-year total | £3,460–£5,680 |
Costs complaints are among the most common reasons clients contact the Legal Ombudsman. The root cause is almost always the same: an initial estimate that didn't reflect the actual cost, with no update along the way.
Your agent ensures estimates are realistic, tracks actual costs in real time, and flags when updates are needed — turning billing from a complaint risk into a transparent client communication.
Good fit / not a fit.
This works brilliantly for:
- Firms that bill on an hourly rate basis
- Firms that have received costs complaints or LeO contacts about billing
- Practices needing SRA Transparency Rules compliant pricing
- Firms wanting to improve their fixed-fee pricing accuracy
This probably isn't for you if:
- You exclusively use fixed fees and rarely have costs disputes
- You have a dedicated costs team managing all billing
- Your PMS already tracks costs against estimates with real-time alerts
Let's talk.
We'll start with how you currently handle costs estimates, whether billing has been a source of client complaints, and which matter types you'd like to price more accurately. Usually a 10-minute conversation.
hello@nimblecroft.com