What makes Blue Ribbon Legal unique?
For many lawyers and clients, the area of legal costs and costs disputes can seem complex and even incomprehensible – the assessment and taxation processes have been likened to black magic.
At Blue Ribbon Legal NSW, we de-mystify legal costs. With our focus on costs issues, we bring clarity and transparency to the processes involved, helping our clients gain a better understanding. ​
Blue Ribbon Legal Costing was established in October 2013 by director and principal solicitor Sharon Drew, with over 25 years’ experience in legal practice and 20 years specialising in legal costing.
Blue Ribbon Lawyers commenced in November 2013, enabling us to offer a greater range of services – from advice on costs agreement and disclosure obligations, traditional costs consultancy services, through to recovery and enforcement proceedings.
Principal solicitor Sharon Drew and special counsel Gareth Jones are accredited specialists in Costs Law.
Our overarching goals:
- Provide outstanding service to our clients and value for money
- Help every client to better understand and resolve legal costing issues
- Flexible and healthy work environment for our staff
- Provide assistance to those in need by supporting charities and our pro bono work
Fee Structure
$300 per hour plus GST for drafting detailed bill of costs.
$400-$450 per hour plus GST for preparation of objections and responses, – with an estimate of time provided before work commences.
$500-$550 per hour plus GST for affidavits and expert witness appearances by our Accredited Specialists in Costs Law.
Legal services provided by Blue Ribbon Lawyers will be charged at up to $550 per hour plus GST depending on the nature and complexity of the work performed, advised prior to work commencing.
Regulated fees apply for uncontested costs recovery proceedings in the Local, District and Supreme Courts.
Payment terms: Generally, our fees are payable within 28 days of invoice. However, at Blue Ribbon Legal we strive to be as flexible as possible when dealing with payment of our fees, and a range of payment options are available. Please contact us to discuss.
We offer fixed fees for preparation of itemised bills, compliance advices, certified estimates and conduct of costs assessments.
We also offer stage-based fixed fees for most services.
Payment terms: Generally, our fees are payable within 28 days of invoice. However, at Blue Ribbon Legal we strive to be as flexible as possible when dealing with payment of our fees, and a range of payment options are available. Please contact us to discuss.
Preparation of detailed bills of costs is traditionally charged by costs consultants as a percentage of the total professional fees claimed.
At Blue Ribbon Legal we are of the view that percentage-based fees do not necessarily accurately reflect the work necessary to prepare a bill of costs and may result in inflated claims or inclusion of claims unlikely to be allowed on assessment or taxation.
Should your firm or client specifically request a percentage-based fee to prepare an itemised bill, we will agree to calculation of our fees at 10% of total professional fees claimed (inclusive of GST).
Payment terms: Generally, our fees are payable within 28 days of invoice. However, at Blue Ribbon Legal we strive to be as flexible as possible when dealing with payment of our fees, and a range of payment options are available. Please contact us to discuss.
Find out more about legal costs by speaking to our professionals in NSW
Get in touch with our legal team, by clicking here or calling on (02) 8599 3100 OR (03) 9969 3100 .
Ask a Question or Book an Appointment
Do you need assistance with a legal costing issue? Speak to the expert costing lawyers at Blue Ribbon Legal for help.