DMD Costs legal costs tools

Measured conclusion: Deep-tested. L2 outcome: tools_ok.

Free tools for civil costs in England and Wales: CPR deadlines, Part 36, fees, interest.

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Copy this into your MCP client config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "DMD Costs legal costs tools": {
      "url": "https://www.dmdcosts.co.uk/mcp",
      "transport": "streamable-http"
    }
  }
}

Measured tools (38)

• search_legal_costs_help read-only

  Answers costs questions from solicitors in England and Wales, on either side of a claim: budgets, Part 36, settlement, detailed assessment, interest and getting paid. Searches about 30 short answers, each citing its CPR rule, practice direction or statute, a glossary of legal costs terms, and a guide to the court forms and costs precedents (N252, N254, N258, N260, Precedents A to U, and the forms for trial, enforcement and appeals such as N170, N265, N293A, N349, N379 and N161), with the official version of each form and the free tool that fills it in. Use it for 'what is', 'when must', 'who pays', 'how do we' and 'which form' questions about civil costs in England and Wales.

  Parameters:

  • query (required) — string — The question or term, in plain words, e.g. 'who pays the costs of detailed assessment' or 'default costs certificate'.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• look_up_cpr_costs_rule read-only

  Looks up the costs rules of the Civil Procedure Rules in England and Wales, rule by rule, by number or by words: Parts 44 to 47 (general rules, fixed costs, special cases, detailed assessment), the costs rules of Part 36, costs budgeting and capping in Part 3 and security for costs in Part 25. Each rule comes back with its official heading, Part and Section, a plain-English summary, a practice note, its old number where it was renumbered (2023 and 2025), when it was omitted if it has been, a link to its text on legislation.gov.uk and the free DMD tool for it, if any. A word search works like the page's search box (every word must appear) and returns up to 5 rules. Reference only: it explains the rules and never assesses anyone's costs.

  Parameters:

  • rule — string — A rule number, written any usual way: "44.11", "r.47.14", "CPR 3.15A" or "44.2(4)" (the paragraph is not used). An old number the page records is found too, e.g. "25.12" (now 25.26). Give it as text, so "44.10" keeps its 0.
  • query — string — Words to find, as in the page's search box: a rule has to contain every word, e.g. "default costs certificate", "QOCS" or "interest". Up to 5 rules come back, closest first.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• get_statement_of_truth_wording read-only

  Gives the exact wording of a statement of truth in England and Wales for the document and the person signing, copied word for word from its source and cited to the paragraph: statements of case and application notices (PD 22 para 2.1, naming the party where a legal representative, company officer or litigation friend's representative signs, or in a separate document under para 2.5), witness statements (PD 32 para 20.2, with the PD 57AC confirmation and certificate in the Business and Property Courts), expert reports (PD 35 para 3.3), certificates of service (Form N215), certificates of suitability (CPR 21.5(4), an adaptation, labelled so), signers unable to read (PD 22 para 2.4), costs budgets (PD 22 para 2.3), and family statements of case and witness statements (PD 17A). Says where a document takes a certificate, not a statement of truth (disclosure statements, the PD 57AD Disclosure Certificate, the Precedent F bill certificates, the N260 certificate), and gives that wording, with points to check on signing, each citing its rule.

  Parameters:

  • doc (required) — string — The document: "statement-of-case" (or application notice; set docName), "witness-statement", "expert-report", "certificate-of-service" (Form N215), "certificate-of-suitability" (of a litigation friend, Form N235), "unable-to-read" (the signer cannot read or sign, PD 22 para 2.4), "disclosure-statement" (standard disclosure, CPR 31.10), "bpc-disclosure-certificate" (Business and Property Courts, PD 57AD), "costs-budget" (Precedent H), "bill-of-costs" (Precedent F certificates), "statement-of-costs" (Form N260), "family-statement-of-case" (FPR, or application; set docName), "family-witness-statement" (FPR).
  • bpc — boolean — "witness-statement": a trial witness statement in the Business and Property Courts, adding the PD 57AC confirmation and certificate.
  • party — string — The party the wording names, where a legal representative or company officer signs a statement of case, and on an N260 (the party claiming the costs): civil "claimant", "defendant", "applicant", "respondent", "Part 20 claimant", "Part 20 defendant" (default "claimant"); family "applicant", "respondent".
  • signer — string — Who signs; each document takes only some, and leaving it out gives the document's first: "self" (the party, personally), "legal-rep" (the party's legal representative), "company" (an officer for a company, partnership or other organisation), "litigation-friend" (the litigation friend), "lf-legal-rep" (the legal representative, for a party with a litigation friend), "witness" (the witness), "expert" (the expert), "server" (the person signing a certificate of service), "authorised-person" (the authorised person, for a signer unable to read or sign), "receiving-party" (the receiving party or its solicitor).
  • docName — string — "statement-of-case": "claim-form", "particulars", "defence", "defence-counterclaim", "reply", "application-notice", "notice-of-objections", "certificate-of-reasons" (default "claim-form"). "family-statement-of-case": "application-form", "answer", "application-notice" (default "application-form").
  • funding — string — "bill-of-costs": the work was done "private" (by a legal representative, other cases; the default), "employed" (by an employed legal representative), "legal-aid" (under legal aid), for Precedent F certificate (1).
  • separate — boolean — The statement of truth is in a separate document (PD 22 para 2.5; PD 17A para 2.3): statements of case and witness statements only.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_cpr_deadline read-only

  Works out a deadline under the Civil Procedure Rules in England and Wales from a date: clear days (CPR 2.8(2) and (3)), the 5-day rule (CPR 2.8(4)), calendar months (CPR 2.10), court office closures (CPR 2.8(5) and PD 2A) and the latest days to email or post a document for deemed service (CPR 6.26). Name a common time limit as a preset (for example the defence, the acknowledgment of service, the appellant's notice or Points of Dispute), or give your own period, plus the date it runs from.

  Parameters:

  • event (required) — string — The date the period runs from: the date of service, of the decision, of the hearing or other event (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • act — string — Without a preset: "court" for a filing at court (default), "serve" for a document to be served, "other" for anything else.
  • unit — string — Without a preset: "days" (default) or "months" (months only for a period after the event).
  • amount — string — Without a preset: the length of the period, e.g. "14".
  • preset — string — A common time limit (the enum lists them all). Where the id is not self-explanatory: defence-14 = no acknowledgment filed; defence-28 = after an acknowledgment; reply-to-defence = earliest date the court can set; defence-28-extended = CPR 15.5; agreed-extension = CPR 3.8(4); costs-budget = Precedent H; budget-discussion-report = Precedent R; statement-of-costs-fast-track = fast track trial; part-36-relevant-period = 21 days; notice-of-commencement = N252; replies = to Points of Dispute; request-assessment = N258; costs-officer-appeal = from an authorised court officer. Leave "" to give your own period.
  • direction — string — Without a preset: "within" a period after the event (default), at least a period "before" it, or at least a period "after" it (gives the earliest day).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_pre_action_protocol_deadlines read-only

  Works out the dates the main pre-action protocols in England and Wales set after a letter of claim, counted the way each protocol words them, with the paragraph for each: housing conditions (20 working days from receipt, deemed 2 days after the letter's date; inspection; expert's report), clinical disputes (14 days from receipt; Letter of Response 4 months from the letter of claim, and from receipt), personal injury (21 calendar days from posting; 3 months from the acknowledgment), disease and illness including hearing loss (21 days from posting; 90 days from the acknowledgment), professional negligence, construction and engineering, debt claims, and the Practice Direction where no protocol applies. Flags dates that fall on a weekend or bank holiday (protocol periods do not roll forward).

  Parameters:

  • protocol (required) — string — The protocol: "housing" (Housing conditions (disrepair), England or Wales), "clinical" (Clinical disputes (clinical negligence)), "pi" (Personal injury), "disease" (Disease and illness (including hearing loss)), "profneg" (Professional negligence), "construction" (Construction and engineering), "debt" (Debt claims (business against an individual)), "none" (No specific protocol (the Practice Direction)).
  • ackDate — string — Personal injury, disease and professional negligence: the date of the defendant's acknowledgment (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • foreign — boolean — Personal injury and disease: the accident or negligence was abroad, or the defendant is outside England and Wales.
  • sentDate — string — Personal injury and disease: the date the letter of claim was posted or sent (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • replyDate — string — Debt: the date the completed Reply Form was received (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • letterDate — string — Housing, clinical and debt: the date of the letter of claim (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • recordsDate — string — Clinical and disease: the date the records were requested (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • receivedDate — string — Clinical, professional negligence, construction and no protocol: the date the letter of claim was received (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • responseDate — string — Housing: the date of the landlord's response, for the inspection (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • inspectionDate — string — Housing: the date of the inspection, for the expert's report (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_limitation_period read-only

  Works out the last day to bring a civil claim in England and Wales under the Limitation Act 1980, strictly: personal injury, clinical negligence and industrial disease (s.11, with children and capacity under s.28, death under s.11(5) and s.12, child sexual abuse under s.11ZA, armed forces), housing disrepair (a continuing breach: the 6-year look-back from the issue date), contract, tort and latent damage with the 15-year longstop, deeds, the Defective Premises Act, contribution, defamation, defective products and judgments. It never infers a date of knowledge: give it. Where the law is unsettled it gives the earlier (safe) date first, never moves a last day off a weekend or bank holiday, and treats s.33 as a discretion, never a date.

  Parameters:

  • kind (required) — string — The kind of claim: "pi" (Personal injury, clinical negligence or industrial disease (including NIHL)), "housing" (Housing disrepair: the tenancy covenants), "contract" (Breach of contract), "tort" (Negligence or another tort, not personal injury), "deed" (A deed (specialty)), "dpa" (Defective Premises Act 1972, s.1 (building work)), "contribution" (Contribution between wrongdoers), "defamation" (Defamation or malicious falsehood), "cpa" (Defective product (Consumer Protection Act 1987)), "judgment" (An action on a judgment (s.24)).
  • dob — string — "pi": the date of birth, if the injured person may have been under 18 when the claim accrued (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • died — boolean — "pi": the injured person has died.
  • abuse — boolean — "pi": personal injury caused by sexual abuse while under 18 (s.11ZA).
  • death — string — Where died: the date of death (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • issue — string — "housing": the date the claim will be issued (defaults to today) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • latent — boolean — "tort": latent damage under s.14A (give knowledge as the s.14A starting date, and longstopFrom).
  • accrual — string — The date the cause of action accrued: the injury, breach, damage, publication, completion of the dwelling, judgment or award. With deadline true, the deadline date itself. Not used for "housing" (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • pre1987 — boolean — "pi": armed forces service or exposure before 15 May 1987 (Crown immunity, a liability bar, not a date).
  • deadline — boolean — "contract" or "deed": the breach was a failure to do something, or to pay, by a deadline; accrual is then the deadline date itself.
  • overseas — boolean — "pi": injury on an overseas armed forces operation (s.33(1ZA)).
  • housingPi — boolean — "housing": the claim includes damages for personal injury.
  • knowledge — string — "pi" and "cpa": the date of knowledge (s.14), if later than accrual, as you rely on it (never inferred). "tort" with latent true: the s.14A starting date (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • prKnowledge — string — Where died: the personal representative's date of knowledge, if later (s.11(5)) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • abuseSettled — boolean — Where abuse: the claim was settled, or decided by a court, before 29 June 2026.
  • longstopFrom — string — "tort": the date of the last negligent act or omission (15-year longstop, s.14B). "cpa": the date the producer supplied the product (10-year longstop) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • capacityRegained — string — "pi": the date capacity was regained, if it has been (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • dependantKnowledge — string — Where died: a dependant's date of knowledge, if later (s.12(2)) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • incapableAtAccrual — string — "pi": whether the injured person lacked capacity to conduct proceedings on the date of the injury, including because of it: "yes", "no" or "" if not known.
  • abuseSuedBeforeDeath — boolean — Where abuse and died: the victim brought the action before dying.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_fast_track_timetable read-only

  Works out the standard timetable after allocation to the fast track or the intermediate track in England and Wales: the PD 28 para 9.5 typical periods from the notice of allocation (disclosure, witness statements, experts' reports, pre-trial checklists, trial within 30 weeks), the time to apply to set aside or vary the order, agreed directions before a case management conference, the pre-trial checklist (N170), notice of trial, the trial fee (fee 2.1), the trial bundle (CPR 39.5), skeleton arguments, Precedent U or the N260 statement of costs, written questions to experts, and the Damages Claims Portal and noise-induced hearing loss variants. Each date says whether it is a typical period, a rule, the standard order or your own order, and which rest on our reading. The court's own order governs every date.

  Parameters:

  • dcp — boolean — The claim is in the Damages Claims Portal (PD 51ZB).
  • nihl — boolean — "fast": a noise-induced hearing loss claim, with its own standard directions (CPR 28.9).
  • costs — string — Whether costs are fixed, for the statement of costs step (default unsure): "unsure" (Not sure: show both), "fixed" (Fixed recoverable costs (CPR 45 Section VI, VII or VIII)), "notFixed" (Not fixed (for example a housing disrepair claim)).
  • track — string — The track (default fast). The multi-track and the small claims track are not covered: "fast" (Fast track), "intermediate" (Intermediate track).
  • cmcDate — string — "intermediate": the date of any case management conference (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • ptcDate — string — The date the order gives for filing pre-trial checklists (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • trialDate — string — The date the trial is listed for, once the notice of trial is sent (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • windowEnd — string — The last day of the trial window (leave out for a fixed trial date) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • noticeDate — string — Where the order did not fix the trial date or window: the date the court first gave notice of it, for the trial fee (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • reportDate — string — The date an expert's report was served, for written questions to the expert (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • servedDate — string — The date the order was served, if later than its date (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • windowStart — string — The trial date, or the first day of the trial window (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • readinessDate — string — "fast" in the portal: the date of the court's notice to complete the trial readiness certificate (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • allocationDate — string — The date of the notice of allocation, or of the directions order (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• check_relief_from_sanctions read-only

  Works out which test applies when a deadline in a civil claim in England and Wales has been missed or is about to be, then lays out the questions the court asks, each with what the rule or the case says and your own answers: relief from sanctions under CPR 3.8 and 3.9 and the three Denton stages (late witness statements, budgets, experts' reports, disclosure, points of dispute, unless orders, late appeal notices); an extension applied for in time (Hallam Estates) or under CPR 3.1(2)(a); agreed extensions (CPR 2.11, 3.8(4), 15.5); the claim form (CPR 7.6); and setting aside a default judgment (CPR 13.2 and 13.3) or a default costs certificate (CPR 47.12). Says what to file, the N244 preset and the court fee. It never predicts the outcome or scores the answers: relief, extensions and setting aside are for the court.

  Parameters:

  • track (required) — string — What is needed: "relief" (relief from a sanction, or a step done late), "set-aside" (set aside a default judgment or a default costs certificate), "time" (more time for a step, by agreement or from the court).
  • paid — string — Default judgment: whether the whole claim, with any costs, had been paid before judgment: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • step — string — "time": the step that needs more time: "defence" (the defence), "points-of-dispute" (points of dispute), "sanction-step" (a step whose consequence is stated), "plain-step" (a step with no stated consequence), "court-dates" (hearing or trial dates), "claim-form" (serving the claim form).
  • agreed — string — "time": whether the other side will agree: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • breach — string — "relief": what was missed: "unless-order" (an unless order), "witness" (late witness statement), "budget" (costs budget not filed), "expert" (expert's report not disclosed), "disclosure" (document not disclosed), "points-of-dispute" (late points of dispute), "other-express" (another rule or order stating the consequence), "appeal" (late appellant's notice), "respondent" (late respondent's notice), "particulars" (late particulars of claim), "unless-judgment" (judgment under CPR 3.5), "costs-order" (the sanction is a costs order), "no-sanction" (no stated consequence), "claim-form" (claim form not served in time).
  • inTime — string — "relief": whether the application is filed before the time for the step runs out: "yes" or "no".
  • reason — string — Why the default happened: "illness" (illness of, or an accident to, the party or the solicitor), "later-developments" (later developments made the time allowed unreasonable), "overlooked" (the deadline was overlooked, or there was too much work), "unrepresented" (the party was acting in person and did not know the rules), "funds" (lack of funds to instruct lawyers), "other" (another reason), "none" (no explanation).
  • target — string — "set-aside": what is to be set aside: "default-judgment" (a default judgment, CPR Part 13), "dcc" (a default costs certificate, CPR 47.12).
  • appDate — string — The date of the application, made or planned (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • dueDate — string — The deadline that was missed, or that applies (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • expired — string — "time": whether the time for the step has already passed: "yes" or "no".
  • refused — string — Whether the other side refused to agree relief or a reasonable extension: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • doneDate — string — The date the late step was done, if it has been (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • evidence — string — Whether the evidence in support (a witness statement) is ready: "yes" or "no".
  • knewDate — string — Setting aside: the date the defendant or paying party learned of the judgment or certificate, or could with reasonable diligence have learned enough to apply (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • prospect — string — Default judgment: whether there is a defence with a real prospect of success: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • remedied — string — "relief": whether the step has now been done: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • dccPapers — string — Default costs certificate: whether the bill, the certificate and draft points of dispute are ready to file: "yes" or "no".
  • defaultOf — string — Default judgment: entered in default of: "aos" (an acknowledgment of service), "defence" (a defence).
  • disrupted — string — "relief": whether there was other disruption to this or other litigation: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • podBefore — string — Default costs certificate: whether points of dispute were served before it was issued: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • filedFirst — string — Default judgment: whether the acknowledgment of service or defence had already been filed when judgment was entered: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • goodReason — string — Default costs certificate: whether there is a good reason for the detailed assessment to continue: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • pendingApp — string — Default judgment: whether the defendant's application to strike out or for summary judgment was undecided: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • hearingRisk — string — "relief": whether a hearing date was lost or put at risk: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • otherReason — string — Default judgment: whether there is some other good reason to set it aside: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • timeExpired — string — Default judgment: whether the time for filing had expired when judgment was entered: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • admittedTime — string — Default judgment: whether the whole money claim had been admitted with a request for time to pay: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • draftDefence — string — Default judgment: whether a draft defence is ready to exhibit: "yes" or "no".
  • judgmentDate — string — The date of the judgment: for a default judgment the date entered; for a judgment under CPR 3.5 after an unless order, the date it was served on you (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • pastBreaches — string — Whether the party in default has other breaches: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • hearingAtRisk — string — "time" with "sanction-step": whether an extension would put a hearing date at risk: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • podPeriodOver — string — Default costs certificate: whether the 21 days after service of the notice of commencement had expired when it was requested: "yes", "no" or "unsure".

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• check_appeal_route_and_deadline read-only

  For a decision in an ordinary civil claim in England and Wales, or in detailed assessment proceedings, works out which court hears an appeal (Destination of Appeals Order 2016; PD 52A Table 1), whether permission is needed and from whom, the last day for the appellant's notice (21 days under CPR 52.12(2)(b), or the period the lower court set, with court office closures), the form (N161, or N164 for small claims), the court fee, the respondent's notice (N162), transcript and appeal bundle dates, and the next steps; and flags a notice already late against today's date. Covers appeals from authorised court officers (CPR 47.21 to 47.24) and the London costs route in PD 47 para 4.2. Family, insolvency, contempt and statutory appeals are outside it. It never advises whether to appeal or rates an appeal's prospects.

  Parameters:

  • judge (required) — string — Who made the decision (a deputy counts as the judge they sit for): "cc-dj" (County Court: District Judge or Deputy District Judge), "cc-cj" (County Court: Circuit Judge or Recorder), "hc-master" (High Court: Master, Costs Judge or District Judge of the High Court), "hc-judge" (High Court Judge (including a deputy)), "aco" (Authorised court officer (a costs officer, on detailed assessment)).
  • filed — string — The date the appellant's notice was filed, for the transcript and appeal bundle dates (PD 52B paras 6.2 and 6.3) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • decided — string — The date of the decision hearing (the judgment given or handed down, not the sealed order), for the deadline (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • special — boolean — Family, insolvency, Companies Acts, contempt, a statutory appeal, case stated or judicial review: outside this checker, which says so and where to look.
  • decision — string — What was decided ("small-claims" only for a County Court judge, "aco-appeal" only for "hc-master"; leave out for "aco", always detailed assessment): "final" (A final decision in the claim (including any costs order or summary assessment made with it)), "interim" (An interim or case management decision), "small-claims" (A decision in a claim allocated to the small claims track), "detailed-assessment" (A decision in detailed assessment proceedings), "aco-appeal" (A decision on an appeal from an authorised court officer).
  • directed — string — Whether the lower court set its own period for the appellant's notice (CPR 52.12(2)(a)): "no" (no, the usual 21 days), "days" (a number of days: give directedDays), "date" (a date: give directedDate).
  • onAppeal — boolean — The decision was itself made on appeal (a second appeal); only for "cc-cj" or "hc-judge".
  • permission — string — What the lower court did about permission to appeal (leave out if not known): "granted" (granted), "refused" (refused), "not-asked" (not asked).
  • directedDate — string — Where directed is "date": the date the court set (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • directedDays — string — Where directed is "days": the number of days, e.g. "28".
  • respondentServed — string — The date the respondent was served with the appellant's notice, or notice that permission was given, for the respondent's notice (CPR 52.13(5)) (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_detailed_assessment_deadlines read-only

  Works out the CPR Part 47 detailed assessment timetable in England and Wales from the dates you have: the last day to serve the notice of commencement (N252), Points of Dispute, the first day for a default costs certificate (N254), Replies, the request for an assessment hearing (N258), provisional assessment steps and payment. Allows for deemed service, weekends, bank holidays and court office closures. Give at least the right to costs (its kind and date).

  Parameters:

  • rightToCostsKind (required) — string — What gave the right to costs: "judgment" (Judgment or order), "stay-lifted" (Stay lifted after appeal), "discontinuance-served" (Discontinuance served), "discontinuance-upheld" (Discontinuance upheld), "part-36-accepted" (Part 36 offer accepted).
  • rightToCostsDate (required) — string — The date of that judgment, order or event (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • hearingDate — string — The date of the detailed assessment hearing, if one is listed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • hearingEnded — string — The date the detailed assessment hearing ended, if it has (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • noticeServed — string — The date the notice of commencement was served (deemed service), if it has been (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • pointsServed — string — The date Points of Dispute were served, if they have been (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • certificateDate — string — The date of the final or interim costs certificate, if issued (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • provisionalReceived — string — The date the provisional assessment was received, if there was one (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• find_detailed_assessment_court read-only

  Says which court office deals with a detailed assessment in England and Wales, from the court named on the case: the local County Court hearing centre or district registry, or the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO). Handles the London rule in PD 47 para 4.2, where the request for an assessment hearing (N258) goes to the SCCO on CE-File but the default costs certificate (N254) stays at the local hearing centre.

  Parameters:

  • court (required) — string — The court as it appears on the order, e.g. 'County Court at Wandsworth', 'County Court at Manchester', 'High Court, King's Bench Division, Royal Courts of Justice'.
  • form — string — N252 (notice of commencement), N254 (request for a default costs certificate) or N258 (request for an assessment hearing). Defaults to N258.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_deemed_service read-only

  Works out when a claim form and particulars of claim are deemed served in England and Wales, and every date that follows: acknowledgment of service, the defence, agreed extensions and the earliest default judgment, with bank holidays and court closures. Also covers the Damages Claims Portal (PD 51ZB). Give the issue date, how and when the claim form was served, and how the particulars were served.

  Parameters:

  • issue (required) — string — The date the claim form was issued (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • aos — string — Whether the defendant acknowledged service: "yes", "no" or "" if not known.
  • poc — string — Whether the particulars of claim are in the claim form, served with it (default), or to follow.
  • route — string — "part7" for a claim served under Part 6 (default), "dcp" for the Damages Claims Portal.
  • cfStep — string — The date of the step taken to serve the claim form (posting, sending, delivering) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • cfTime — string — The time of that step, where the method is timed (24-hour HH:MM). Leave out if not known.
  • pocDate — string — Where the particulars followed: the date of the step taken to serve them (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • pocTime — string — Where the particulars followed: the time of that step (24-hour HH:MM). Leave out if not known.
  • special — string — Leave "" unless service was outside the jurisdiction, on the Crown, or by an alternative method ordered by the court.
  • cfMethod — string — How the claim form was served (default first-class-post).
  • servedBy — string — Who served the claim form (default claimant).
  • extension — string — Days of extension for the defence agreed under CPR 15.5 (up to 28), e.g. "28".
  • pocMethod — string — Where the particulars followed: how they were served.
  • courtDeemed — string — Where the court served the claim form: the deemed service date on its notice (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_civil_court_fees read-only

  Works out the main civil court fees in England and Wales, with fee numbers: the issue fee for money, non-money (such as repairs), possession, goods, costs-only (CPR 46.14) and Solicitors Act claims; hearing fees by track; applications; appeals; detailed assessment by the size of the bill; default costs certificates; enforcement; and creditors' winding-up and bankruptcy petitions, where the official receiver's deposit is shown separately because it is not a court fee. Help with fees is not taken into account.

  Parameters:

  • dcc — boolean — Include the fee for a default costs certificate (N254).
  • claim — string — What the claim is: "money" (A money claim), "other-remedy" (Repairs or another non-money remedy), "goods" (Recovery of goods), "possession" (Possession of land), "costs-only" (Costs-only proceedings (CPR 46.14)), "solicitors-act" (Assessment of a solicitor’s bill (Solicitors Act 1974, Part 3)), "winding-up" (Creditor’s winding-up petition (a company)), "bankruptcy" (Creditor’s bankruptcy petition (an individual)), "none" (Already issued: later fees only), "insolvency-issued" (Already issued: insolvency or Companies Act proceedings, later fees only).
  • court — string — County Court (default) or High Court.
  • track — string — The track, for the hearing fee: "small", "fast", "intermediate", "multi", or "" for no hearing fee yet. Ignored, with a note, for a petition or other insolvency proceedings.
  • value — string — The amount claimed with interest; for a non-money claim, the damages claimed with it, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • appeal — string — Any appeal: to the High Court, or in the County Court (small claims, or other claims).
  • billVat — string — The VAT in that total, if known, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • daAppeal — boolean — Include the fee for an appeal in detailed assessment proceedings.
  • legalAid — boolean — The bill is for legal aid costs only (fee 5.1).
  • setAside — boolean — Include the fee for setting aside a default costs certificate.
  • billTotal — string — The bill's total including VAT, for the assessment fee, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • withMoney — boolean — A non-money claim also claims money (default true).
  • assessment — boolean — Include the detailed assessment fee (N258), which depends on the bill.
  • moneyBasis — string — Whether that money claim is additional to the other remedy or an alternative to it.
  • enforcement — object — Enforcement methods to include, as true or false: "warrantControl" (Warrant of control), "warrantPossession" (Warrant of possession or delivery), "furtherAttempt" (Further attempt at a new address), "orderInfo" (Order to attend court for questioning), "bailiffService" (Bailiff service of that order), "attachment" (Attachment of earnings order), "charging" (Charging order), "tpdo" (Third party debt order), "judgmentSummons" (Judgment summons), "writ" (High Court writ of control, possession or delivery).
  • hearingValue — string — For a small claims hearing fee where there is no money claim: the sum claimed, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • valueUnlimited — boolean — The money claim's value is not limited or not stated.
  • applicationsOnNotice — string — How many applications on notice, e.g. "1".
  • applicationsByConsent — string — How many applications by consent or without notice, e.g. "1".
  • fixedCostsDetermination — boolean — Include the fee for a fixed costs determination.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• find_court_fee_by_form read-only

  Finds the civil court fee in England and Wales for a court form or a step, by form number or in words (for example "N244", "N245", "warrant of control", "set aside a CCJ", "Tomlin order", "charging order"): each fee with its fee number in Schedule 1 to the Civil Proceedings Fees Order 2008, when it is paid, notes with their source, and our reading, labelled as such, where neither the Order nor the EX50 ties the fee to the form. Forms with no court fee say so. Fees in force from 13 July 2026. Help with fees is not taken into account. For the fees across a whole claim, use calculate_civil_court_fees. In the structured data, amounts are in pence; the text gives pounds.

  Parameters:

  • query (required) — string — A form number or a step, e.g. "N244", "N245", "warrant of control", "set aside a CCJ" or "Tomlin order". A form number keeps only the entries for that form.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_interest_on_costs read-only

  Works out simple interest at 8% a year on an order for costs in England and Wales: from the date of the order (or acceptance of a Part 36 offer, or the date the court set) to the date you choose, allowing for payments on account, the County Court £5,000 rule and its exceptions, and leap years. It does not decide rates where the court has a discretion.

  Parameters:

  • court (required) — string — High Court or County Court.
  • orderKind (required) — string — What gave the right to costs: "assessed" (Order for costs to be assessed if not agreed), "stated" (Order for costs of a stated sum (summary assessment)), "p36-in-time" (Part 36 offer accepted within the relevant period, after the claim was issued), "p36-late" (Part 36 offer accepted late, and the court decided costs), "approval" (Settlement approved by the court (child or protected party)), "costs-only" (Order in costs-only proceedings (Part 8)), "other" (Another order or event).
  • orderDate (required) — string — The date of that order or event (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • costs (required) — string — The costs the interest is on: the assessed or agreed sum, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • crown — boolean — County Court: the costs are payable by the Crown, such as the MoD.
  • endDate — string — The date to calculate interest to (defaults to today) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • payments — array — Payments on account, each with a date and an amount.
  • otherSums — string — County Court: any other sums, such as damages, ordered in the same judgment, for the £5,000 test, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • startDate — string — Where customStart is true: the date interest runs from (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • customStart — boolean — The court ordered interest to run from another date.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_judgment_interest read-only

  Works out simple interest at 8% a year on a judgment debt in England and Wales, from the date of judgment (or a date the court ordered, or in the County Court a date for payment in the judgment) to the date you choose. High Court: any judgment (Judgments Act 1838 s.17); no rule fixes how part payments are applied, so the default is interest first, a rule of thumb the Court of Appeal accepted as fair, with the debt-first total alongside. County Court: only judgments of £5,000 or more or for a Late Payment Act qualifying debt, with the exceptions in the County Courts (Interest on Judgment Debts) Order 1991: consumer credit and suspended possession orders carry none, payments go to the debt first, County Court enforcement that produced a payment stops it, and an attachment of earnings or administration order suspends it while in force. Flags interest more than six years old (Limitation Act 1980 s.24(2)). Leap years per Lomas v Burlington. Not for interest on costs (use calculate_interest_on_costs) or interest before judgment.

  Parameters:

  • court (required) — string — High Court or County Court.
  • judgmentDate (required) — string — The date judgment was given for the sum; where damages were assessed later, the date of that judgment (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • sum (required) — string — The judgment debt: everything the judgment orders to be paid as a sum, including any costs stated in it, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • cca — boolean — County Court: the claim was under an agreement regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (no interest).
  • lpa — boolean — County Court: the judgment is for a qualifying debt under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, so it carries interest under £5,000.
  • spo — boolean — County Court: a suspended possession order for a landlord or mortgagee of a dwelling (no interest).
  • leap — string — "lomas" (default) divides a year containing 29 February by 366; "365" uses 365 throughout.
  • aoeTo — string — County Court: the date that order ended, if it has (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • payBy — string — County Court: the date for payment the judgment set, if any (1991 Order art 3(a)) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • aoeFrom — string — County Court: the date an attachment of earnings order that produced nothing, or an administration order, came into force. If attachment of earnings produced a payment, give its start as enforcementFrom instead (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • endDate — string — The date to calculate interest to (defaults to today) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • payments — array — Payments since the judgment, each with a date and an amount.
  • startDate — string — Where customStart is true: the date interest runs from (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • paymentsTo — string — High Court only: apply payments to interest first (the default: no rule fixes the order, and the Court of Appeal accepted this rule of thumb as fair in Evonik UK Holdings Ltd v HMRC [2025] EWCA Civ 1392) or to the judgment debt first. County Court payments always go to the debt first.
  • customStart — boolean — The court ordered interest to run from another date.
  • instalments — boolean — County Court: the judgment is payable by instalments (not calculated).
  • enforcementFrom — string — County Court: the date enforcement proceedings in the County Court were taken, if they produced a payment (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_interest_on_damages read-only

  Works out interest on damages before judgment in England and Wales (Senior Courts Act 1981 s.35A; County Courts Act 1984 s.69), head by head: general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity at 2% a year from service of the claim form; past losses running to the end date at half the Court Funds Office special account rate from when they began; a loss on one date (a large expense, a bereavement award, funeral costs) at the full rate; a loss that stopped before the end date by one of three methods; and a debt at 8%, another rate or Bank Rate plus a margin, with wording for the particulars of claim (CPR 16.4(2)). Uses every special account rate since 1 February 1993, credits interest on interim payments against the past losses, and gives the daily rate. No interest on future losses. With mode "latePayment" it works out statutory interest on business debts under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 instead: 8% over Bank Rate on the 30 June or 31 December before interest starts, from the day after the agreed or default payment date (s.4), and the £40, £70 or £100 fixed sum for each debt (s.5A).

  Parameters:

  • mode — string — "damages" (the default): interest on heads of damages or a debt under s.35A or s.69, using heads. "latePayment": statutory interest and fixed sums on business debts under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, using debts.
  • court — string — County Court (s.69, the default) or High Court (s.35A); only changes the wording for a debt.
  • debts — array — mode "latePayment" only: the unpaid invoices, each a qualifying debt under a contract for goods or services between businesses (up to 12).
  • heads — array — The heads of loss, each worked out on its own.
  • endDate — string — The date to calculate to: trial, judgment or settlement; for a claim form, the date of issue or earlier (defaults to today) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • longTerms — string — mode "latePayment" only, where agreed terms run past 60 days (s.4(2E)) or a 30-day verification period (s.4(5C)): "limit" (the default) applies the limit; "agreed" treats the longer terms as not grossly unfair (s.4(2F), (5D)).
  • interimRate — string — Credit interest on interim payments at the "full" special account rate (the default) or "half" of it; courts differ.
  • interimPayments — array — Interim payments, each with a date and an amount. Interest on them is credited against the interest on past losses.
  • publicAuthority — boolean — mode "latePayment" only: true if the purchaser is a public authority (s.4(8)), so an agreed date cannot push the start past the 30-day period (s.4(2D)).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_part_36_offer read-only

  Works out a Part 36 offer in England and Wales: when it was made (deemed service, CPR 6.26 and 36.7) and when its relevant period ends; whether an acceptance was in time (CPR 36.13); whether the judgment, or the detailed assessment, beat the offer (CPR 36.17(1)); and the consequences in money: the additional amount, enhanced interest of up to 10% above base rate, indemnity costs and interest on them, the 35% uplift in fixed costs claims (CPR 36.24), or the defendant's costs. Uses the Bank of England's base rate history. Give at least who made the offer, the amount and the date it was sent; add the outcome to see the consequences.

  Parameters:

  • offeror (required) — string — Who made the offer. In detailed assessment, claimant means the receiving party and defendant the paying party.
  • offerAmount (required) — string — The offer, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • offerSent (required) — string — The date the offer was sent (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • uplift — string — Enhanced interest: percentage points above base rate, up to 10 (default "10").
  • awarded — string — Where there was judgment: the damages awarded, excluding interest (in detailed assessment, the bill as assessed), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • outcome — string — "open" (default), "accepted", or "judgment" (in detailed assessment, the end of the assessment).
  • fixedRate — string — Where enhancedBasis is "fixed": the annual rate in percent.
  • trialDate — string — The trial date, or the detailed assessment hearing date, if one is fixed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • withdrawn — boolean — The offer was withdrawn (CPR 36.17(7)(a)).
  • costsUplift — string — Interest on those costs: percentage points above base rate, up to 10 (default "10").
  • offerMethod — string — How the offer was sent (default email).
  • proceedings — string — "claim" for a claim outside the fixed costs regimes (default), "fixed-costs" for a claim in Part 45 Sections VI to VIII, or "assessment" for an offer on the bill in detailed assessment (CPR 47.20).
  • interestFrom — string — Where interestBasis is "rate": the date interest runs from (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • interestRate — string — Where interestBasis is "rate": the annual rate in percent, e.g. "2".
  • judgmentDate — string — Where there was judgment: its date (in detailed assessment, the end of the assessment) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • relevantDays — string — The relevant period in days (default "21").
  • enhancedBasis — string — Enhanced interest (CPR 36.17(4)(a)): "above-base" (default) or a "fixed" annual rate.
  • interestBasis — string — Interest on the damages, for the comparison: "rate" (a simple rate from a date, the default), "figures" (amounts you give) or "none".
  • interestTotal — string — Where interestBasis is "figures": the interest awarded in total, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • acceptanceSent — string — Where accepted: the date the acceptance was sent (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • postExpiryCosts — string — Costs from the end of the relevant period, for interest on costs (CPR 36.17(4)(c)), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • acceptanceMethod — string — Where accepted: how the acceptance was sent (default email).
  • changedAndBeaten — boolean — The offer was changed to be less advantageous, and the result beat the changed terms (CPR 36.17(7)(b)).
  • interestToExpiry — string — Where interestBasis is "figures": the interest up to the end of the relevant period, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • offerAfterCutOff — boolean — The offer was sent at or after 4.30pm (for email, fax, delivery or personal service).
  • fixedCostsAtExpiry — string — Fixed costs claims: the fixed costs for the stage reached when the relevant period ended, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • fixedCostsAtJudgment — string — Fixed costs claims: the fixed costs for the stage reached at judgment, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • acceptanceAfterCutOff — boolean — Where accepted: the acceptance was sent at or after 4.30pm.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_statutory_demand_deadlines read-only

  Works out the statutory demand and petition timetable in England and Wales: on a company (Insolvency Act 1986 s.123(1)(a): 3 weeks to pay, secure or compound, then a winding-up petition) or on an individual (s.268: 18 days to apply to set the demand aside under IR 2016 r.10.4, 21 days to comply, then a bankruptcy petition for at least £5,000), with personal service and CPR 6.26, a set-aside application stopping the clock, the four-month rule, service of the petition (CPR 6.14), the Gazette notice, the certificate of compliance, notices of opposition and of intention to appear, and the court fee and official receiver's deposit. For a company, business days leave out Scotland's bank holidays too (s.251). Demands served abroad are not covered. Says where a date rests on a reading.

  Parameters:

  • debtor (required) — string — Who the demand is served on: "company" (a company: winding up), "individual" (an individual: bankruptcy).
  • served (required) — string — "company": the day the demand was left at the registered office. "individual": the day it was served (see method) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • abroad — boolean — "individual": the demand was served outside England and Wales (not covered: the periods differ, IR 2016 r.10.1(10)).
  • amount — string — The sum demanded (optional), for the £750 company and £5,000 bankruptcy thresholds, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • method — string — "individual": how the demand was served (default personal): "personal" (handed to the debtor personally), "acknowledged" (service acknowledged in writing), "certificate" (another way (date in the certificate of service)).
  • hearing — string — The date of the hearing of the petition (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • setAside — string — "individual": any application to set the demand aside: "" (no application, or not known), "pending" (applied, not yet decided), "dismissed-papers" (dismissed without a hearing), "dismissed-hearing" (dismissed at a hearing), "set-aside" (the demand was set aside).
  • orderFrom — string — Where setAside is "dismissed-hearing": the date in the order from which a petition may be presented, if it gives one (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • presented — string — The date the petition was presented (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • servedTime — string — "individual", served personally: the time it was handed over, for CPR 6.26 (24-hour HH:MM). Leave out if not known.
  • setAsideFiled — string — "individual": the date the application to set the demand aside was filed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • petitionServed — string — The day the petition was handed over ("individual") or served at the registered office ("company") (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • setAsideDecided — string — "individual": the date the application was dismissed, or the demand set aside (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• check_enforcement_options read-only

  Sets out the main ways to enforce a money judgment, costs order or costs certificate in England and Wales side by side: warrant of control, transfer up and writ of control, attachment of earnings, charging order, order for sale, third party debt order and order to obtain information. For each it says whether the rules allow it now (the £600 and £5,000 limits in the High Court and County Courts Jurisdiction Order 1991 art 8, Consumer Credit Act debts, missed instalments, AEA 1971 s.3(3), permission after six years under CPR 83.2), the court, the form, the court fee, the PD 45 Table 7 fixed costs, enforcement agents' and High Court enforcement officers' fees under the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 as amended from 1 May 2026, and the effect on judgment interest, which it works out where it can. It never says which option to use.

  Parameters:

  • what (required) — string — What is being enforced: "judgment" (a money judgment), "costs" (a costs order or costs certificate).
  • court (required) — string — The court that made the judgment or order: "county" (the County Court), "high" (the High Court).
  • sum (required) — string — The sum still unpaid under the judgment, order or certificate, without judgment interest, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • orderDate (required) — string — The date of the judgment, or of the costs order (interest on costs runs from it) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • cca — boolean — The claim was to recover money due under a Consumer Credit Act 1974 regulated agreement (County Court only for goods; no judgment interest).
  • lpa — boolean — The debt is a qualifying debt under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 (County Court judgment interest under £5,000).
  • payBy — string — "judgment" only: the date for payment the judgment gives (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • debtor — string — Who owes it: "individual" (an individual), "company" (a company or other body).
  • payWhen — string — "judgment" only: when it must be paid: "14-days" (within 14 days, CPR 40.11 (the default)), "immediately" (forthwith, e.g. a default judgment naming no date), "date" (by the date in payBy).
  • before2026 — boolean — Enforcement action under the writ or warrant was taken before 1 May 2026, so the earlier fee scale and 7-day notice apply (S.I. 2026/366 reg 1(3)).
  • noticeDate — string — Optional: the day a notice of enforcement was given, for the earliest day to take control (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • creditorVat — boolean — The creditor is registered for VAT (then no VAT equivalent is added to agents' fees); leave out if not known.
  • instalments — string — Any order for payment by instalments: "none" (no instalment order (the default)), "arrears" (instalments ordered and one has been missed), "up-to-date" (instalments ordered and paid up to date).
  • judgmentSum — string — Optional: the sum the judgment or certificate ordered, where more than is now unpaid (the County Court £5,000 interest test turns on it), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • represented — boolean — A solicitor or other legal representative acts for the creditor, for the PD 45 Table 7 fixed costs; leave out if not known.
  • thirdParties — string — Banks or other third parties to name in a third party debt order, as a whole number (default "1"); each is a separate fee.
  • certificateDate — string — "costs" only: the date of the default, interim or final costs certificate; leave out where the order stated the sum (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_employment_tribunal_time_limit read-only

  Works out the last day to present an employment tribunal claim in England and Wales: 3 months less one day, or 6 months less one day where the relevant date is on or after 1 October 2026 (Employment Rights Act 2025 s.152 and Sch 12; S.I. 2026/954 reg 4; breach of contract by S.I. 2026/759), for unfair dismissal, discrimination, unlawful deductions, holiday pay, whistleblowing detriment, breach of contract, redundancy pay and equal pay, with Acas early conciliation (the clock-stop and the one-month rule) applied. Weekends and bank holidays do not move the date. It explains how a late claim can still be heard (not reasonably practicable, or just and equitable) but never predicts it, and never advises whether to claim.

  Parameters:

  • claim (required) — string — The kind of claim.
  • start (required) — string — The day the time limit runs from: "unfair-dismissal": the effective date of termination; "discrimination": the date of the act complained of; "deductions": the date of payment of the wages; "holiday": the date the payment should have been made or the leave allowed; "detriment": the date of the act or failure to act; "contract": the effective date of termination; "redundancy": the relevant date; "equal-pay": the last day of the employment (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • dayA — string — Optional: Day A, the day Acas received the early conciliation notification (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • dayB — string — Optional: Day B, the day the early conciliation certificate was received (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • noEdt — boolean — "contract": there is no effective date of termination, so start is the last day worked.
  • ending — string — "unfair-dismissal" (and where it matters): how the employment ended, for the effective date of termination: "notice" (With notice (worked, or on garden leave)), "summary" (Without notice, or with pay in lieu of notice), "fixed-term" (A fixed-term contract ended and was not renewed).
  • presented — string — Optional: the day the claim was or will be presented, to check it is in time (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • continuing — boolean — "discrimination": conduct extending over a period (start is its end); "deductions" or "detriment": a series (start is the last in it).
  • equalPayCase — string — "equal-pay": the case in the EqA 2010 s.129(3) table: "standard" (A standard case), "stable" (A stable work case (a series of contracts)), "concealment" (A concealment case), "incapacity" (An incapacity case).
  • interimRelief — boolean — "unfair-dismissal": an application for interim relief is to be made (7 days, s.128(2)).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_judicial_review_time_limits read-only

  Works out the time limits for a claim for judicial review in England and Wales: promptly and in any event within 3 months of the grounds arising (CPR 54.5(1)), 6 weeks for decisions under the planning Acts (54.5(5)), 30 days beginning with the day of knowledge in procurement (54.5(6); Procurement Act 2023 s.106), with the pre-action protocol letter and reply, service of the claim form (54.7), the acknowledgment of service (54.8), the reply (54.8A), renewal after refusal on the papers (54.12), detailed grounds (54.14), the fees and the Aarhus Convention costs caps (CPR 46.24 to 46.28). Time cannot be extended by agreement. It never advises whether to claim.

  Parameters:

  • kind (required) — string — The kind of claim: "general" (Most claims: any other decision, action or failure to act), "planning" (A decision of the Secretary of State or a local planning authority under the planning Acts), "procurement" (A procurement decision (Procurement Act 2023, or the Public Contracts Regulations 2015)).
  • grounds (required) — string — The day time runs from: "general", the day the grounds first arose; "planning", the date of the decision; "procurement", the day the claimant first knew or ought to have known of the grounds (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • aarhus — boolean — The claim form says it is an Aarhus Convention claim (costs caps, CPR 46.24 to 46.28).
  • issued — string — Optional: the day the claim form (N461) was issued (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • served — string — Optional: the day the step to serve the claim form on the defendant was taken (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • claimant — string — Who the claimant is, for the Aarhus cap: "individual" (an individual), "other" (a company or other body).
  • aosServed — string — Optional: the day the acknowledgment of service was served on the claimant (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • letterSent — string — Optional: the day the pre-action letter before claim was sent (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • refusalServed — string — Optional: the day the order refusing permission on the papers was served (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • permissionServed — string — Optional: the day the order giving permission was served (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• check_cpr_21_10_approval read-only

  Checks when a settlement, interim payment or payment in by or for a child or protected party needs the court's approval in England and Wales (CPR 21.10; PD 21 was revoked in 2023), the route (a Part 8 claim before issue, or an application in the proceedings), the documents for the approval hearing, the court fee, investment of the money (CPR 21.11, the Court Funds Office forms and the Court of Protection for £100,000 or more) and the rules on deductions from damages (CPR 21.12, 46.4). It never values the claim or works out a costs or deduction figure.

  Parameters:

  • party (required) — string — Who the settlement is for: "child" (A child (under 18)), "protected" (A protected party (lacks capacity to conduct the proceedings)).
  • stage (required) — string — Whether proceedings have been issued: "before" (Before proceedings were issued), "issued" (In proceedings already issued).
  • dob — string — Optional: the child's date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • band — string — The sum agreed, as a band (the rules turn on these; no figure is worked out): "up-to-5k" (£5,000 or less), "up-to-25k" (More than £5,000, up to £25,000), "under-100k" (More than £25,000, under £100,000), "100k-plus" (£100,000 or more).
  • side — string — Their side of the claim: "claimant" (Their claim), "defendant" (A claim against them).
  • what — string — What needs approval: "settlement" (A settlement or compromise, including accepting a Part 36 offer), "interim" (A voluntary interim payment), "payment-in" (Accepting money paid into court).
  • funding — string — How the claim is funded: "cfa" (A conditional fee agreement (CFA)), "dba" (A damages based agreement (DBA)), "legal-aid" (Legal aid (publicly funded)), "other" (Another way, or not known).
  • deductions — string — Whether costs or expenses will be claimed out of the damages (CPR 21.12): "yes" (Yes), "no" (No), "unsure" (Not sure).
  • dependency — boolean — A sum is apportioned to a dependent child (CPR 21.10(7)).
  • futureLoss — boolean — The claim includes damages for future financial loss (CPR 21.10(4)).
  • periodical — boolean — The settlement includes periodical payments (CPR 21.10(5)).
  • manageMoney — string — Protected party: lacks capacity to manage the money; child: likely to remain unable to at 18: "yes" (Yes), "no" (No), "unsure" (Not sure).
  • personalInjury — boolean — A personal injury claim arising from an accident (CPR 21.10(3)(f)).
  • existingAuthority — boolean — A deputy or a registered attorney already manages the protected beneficiary's finances (CPR 21.11(9)(b)).
  • protocolFixedCosts — boolean — Section IV of Part 45 applies (the RTA and EL/PL protocol fixed costs, CPR 21.10(6)).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_part_35_and_part_18_dates read-only

  Works out the dates for written questions to an expert (CPR 35.6: within 28 days of service of the report, deemed service under CPR 6.26, once only and for clarification unless the court permits or the other party agrees; before proceedings, the pre-action protocol that applies, of which only the Personal Injury Protocol fixes 28 days) and for a Part 18 request for further information (PD 18: the date for the response, and what can be done if none comes, including the application and its fee). On the small claims track CPR 27.2 disapplies both, and it says so. The page also builds a Word template; this tool gives the dates only and never drafts questions.

  Parameters:

  • kind (required) — string — What is being sent: "part35" (Written questions to an expert (Part 35)), "part18" (A Request for further information (Part 18)).
  • leave — string — "part35": permission or agreement for questions outside the rule: "" (Neither), "permission" (The court has given permission), "agreement" (The other party has agreed).
  • party — string — The party putting the questions or making the request: "claimant" (the claimant), "defendant" (the defendant).
  • reply — string — "part18": what has come back: "" (Not due yet, or not known), "none" (No response at all), "objection" (An objection, or a note that it cannot comply in time), "incomplete" (A response that does not answer the Request).
  • expert — string — "part35": whose expert: "other-party" (The other side’s expert), "single-joint" (A single joint expert).
  • orderBy — string — Optional, "part18": the date an order under CPR 18.1 (or CPR 27.2(3)) gives for the response (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • protocol — string — "part35" before proceedings: the pre-action protocol: "" (Choose the protocol), "pi" (Personal Injury (not a whiplash report)), "disease" (Disease and Illness (including noise-induced hearing loss)), "housing" (Housing Conditions (England)), "clinical" (Resolution of Clinical Disputes), "other" (Another protocol, or none).
  • preAction — boolean — "part35": before proceedings, when the pre-action protocols apply instead of CPR 35.6.
  • alreadyPut — boolean — "part35": questions have already been put on this report (once only, CPR 35.6(2)(a)).
  • reportDate — string — "part35": the date the report was served or, with reportMethod, sent (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • reportLate — boolean — "part35": the report was emailed, faxed or delivered at or after 4.30pm.
  • responseBy — string — "part18": the date the request gives for the response (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • requestDate — string — "part18": the date the request is made and sent (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • requestLate — boolean — "part18": the request is emailed or delivered at or after 4.30pm.
  • smallClaims — boolean — The claim is on the small claims track (CPR 27.2 disapplies CPR 35.6 and Part 18).
  • reportMethod — string — "part35": how the report was served, for deemed service under CPR 6.26: "" (I know the date of service), "email" (Email), "first-class-post" (First class post), "document-exchange" (Document exchange (DX)), "delivery" (Delivered to the address), "fax" (Fax), "personal" (Personal service).
  • questionsDate — string — Optional, "part35": the day the questions are or were sent (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • questionsLate — boolean — Optional, "part35": the questions are emailed or delivered at or after 4.30pm.
  • requestMethod — string — "part18": how the request is sent: "" (Another way: I will enter the date of service), "email" (Email), "first-class-post" (First class post), "document-exchange" (Document exchange (DX)), "delivery" (Delivered to the address), "fax" (Fax), "personal" (Personal service).
  • requestServed — string — "part18" with no requestMethod: the day the request was served (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • orderAnswersBy — string — Optional, "part35": the date the court's directions give for the answers (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • questionsMethod — string — Optional, "part35": how the questions are sent: "" (Not chosen yet), "email" (Email), "first-class-post" (First class post), "document-exchange" (Document exchange (DX)), "delivery" (Delivered to the address), "fax" (Fax), "personal" (Personal service).
  • orderQuestionsBy — string — Optional, "part35": the date the court's directions give for the questions (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • beyondClarification — boolean — "part35": the questions go beyond clarifying the report (CPR 35.6(2)(c)).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_financial_remedy_timetable read-only

  Works out the financial remedy timetable in the family court in England and Wales (FPR 2010 Part 9; standard, fast-track and the Express pilot under PD 36ZH): the first appointment 12 to 16 weeks after issue, Form E 5 weeks before it, the documents 14 days before, the FDR and its offers, open proposals (FPR 9.27A, 9.28), Form H at every hearing and Form H1 before the final hearing (9.27), FM5, ES1 and ES2 and the bundle (PD 27A; Financial Remedies Guide 2026). Dates only: it never advises on the merits, the division or costs.

  Parameters:

  • procedure (required) — string — The financial remedy procedure: "standard" (Standard procedure (FPR Part 9 Chapter 4): first appointment, FDR, final hearing), "fast-track" (Fast-track procedure (Chapter 5): periodical payments only, or varying them), "express" (Express pilot (PD 36ZH): divorce finances under £250,000 at a pilot court, filed 7 April 2025 to 2 April 2027).
  • fdr — string — Optional: the FDR appointment, once fixed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • filed — string — The day the application (Form A or A1) was filed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • noFdr — boolean — No FDR appointment will take place (FPR 9.27A(2)).
  • noFm5 — boolean — No FM5: the MIAM requirement does not apply, or the domestic abuse exemption was claimed (PD 3A paras 10B and 13).
  • issued — string — "fast-track" and "express": the day it was issued, if not the day it was filed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • served — string — "fast-track": the day the application was served on the respondent (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • finalHearing — string — Optional: the first day of the final hearing, once fixed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • firstAppointment — string — Optional: the first appointment or first hearing, from the court's notice (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_pi_portal_timescales read-only

  Works out the timescales in the Pre-Action Protocol for Low Value Personal Injury Claims in Road Traffic Accidents, the EL/PL protocol and the RTA Small Claims (OIC) protocol, in business days: the CNF response (15 or 30 business days RTA, 30 employers' liability, 40 public liability; RTA small claims 30 or 40), interim payments, the Stage 2 consideration and negotiation periods and their extensions, settlement and non-settlement payments, the Court Proceedings Pack, the exit points and Stage 3 under PD 49F. Dates beyond the bank-holiday data are never given as firm. It never advises on liability, value or settlement.

  Parameters:

  • protocol (required) — string — The protocol: "rta" (RTA protocol: road traffic accident, above the small claims limit, up to £25,000), "elpl" (EL/PL protocol: employers’ liability (including disease) or public liability, up to £25,000), "oic" (RTA small claims protocol (Official Injury Claim): injury up to £5,000, overall up to £10,000).
  • mib — boolean — RTA and RTA small claims: no insurer identified, so the MIB deals with the claim.
  • cnfSent — string — The day the CNF was sent (RTA small claims: the day the claim was accepted on the Portal) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • cppSent — string — Optional: the day the Court Proceedings Pack was sent (RTA small claims: the Court Pack list) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • settled — string — Optional: the day a settlement was agreed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • accident — string — Optional: the date of the accident, to check which protocol applies (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • packSent — string — Optional: the day the Stage 2 Settlement Pack was sent (RTA small claims: the medical report and the para 8.5 items) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • claimType — string — "elpl": the kind of claim: "el" (Employers’ liability (accident or disease)), "pl" (Public liability).
  • offerMade — string — Optional: the day of the last offer (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • interimKind — string — Optional, RTA and EL/PL: the interim payment requested: "1000" (£1,000), "more" (More than £1,000).
  • interimSent — string — Optional: the day the Interim Settlement Pack was sent (RTA small claims: the interim payment request) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • stage3Served — string — Optional, RTA and EL/PL: the day the step to serve the Stage 3 claim form was taken (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • initialExtension — string — Optional, RTA and EL/PL: business days agreed to add to the initial consideration period (a whole number).
  • negotiationExtension — string — Optional, RTA and EL/PL: business days agreed to add to the negotiation period (a whole number).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• explain_costs_order read-only

  Explains what a costs order in England and Wales means, from the words of the order or the wording picked from a list: costs in any event, costs in the case or in the application, costs reserved, claimant's or defendant's costs in the case, costs thrown away, of and caused by, here and below, no order as to costs, summary and detailed assessment, payment on account, indemnity or standard basis, an order silent on costs, deemed orders (Part 36 acceptance, discontinuance, strike-out for an unpaid fee), wasted costs and non-party costs. Says who recovers the costs under each way the case can end, whether anything is payable now and how the amount is decided, with the rule, and how family proceedings and employment tribunals differ. It explains: it never puts a figure on costs.

  Parameters:

  • date — string — The date the order was made, for the date a stated sum is due (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • pick — string — Instead of text, the wording: "costs" (costs, or costs in any event), "in-the-case", "in-the-application", "reserved", "own-in-the-case" (claimant's or defendant's costs in the case), "thrown-away", "of-and-caused-by", "here-and-below", "no-order", "summary" (a sum stated in the order), "detailed" (to be assessed if not agreed), "immediate" (assessed immediately or forthwith), "on-account", "proportion" (a share of the costs), "indemnity", "standard", "silent" (the order says nothing about costs), "part36" (Part 36 offer accepted), "discontinuance", "fees-strike-out" (struck out for an unpaid fee), "wasted", "non-party", "preparation-time" (employment tribunal), "follow-the-event".
  • text — string — The words of the order about costs, e.g. 'Costs of the application reserved. Otherwise, costs in the case.' Names and sums can be left out.
  • forum — string — The kind of proceedings (default civil): "civil" (Civil (CPR)), "family" (Family (FPR)), "tribunal" (Employment tribunal).
  • party — string — Who has the benefit of the order, to make the answer specific. Leave out to use the party the order names.
  • special — array — Special cases that apply: "qocs" (A personal injury claim (QOCS)), "legalAidReceiving" (The party receiving costs is legally aided), "legalAidPaying" (The party paying costs is legally aided), "child" (A child or protected party is involved), "lip" (A litigant in person receives the costs), "frc" (A fixed recoverable costs claim), "smallClaims" (The small claims track).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_fixed_costs read-only

  Works out the fixed costs CPR 45 Section II allows a legal representative in England and Wales, line by line with the PD 45 table for each sum: fixed commencement costs on a money or goods claim (Table 2), judgment in default, on admission, summary judgment and Consumer Credit Act goods judgments (Table 3), possession and demotion claims (Tables 4 and 5), accelerated possession, extra service (Table 6) and enforcement (Table 7: charging orders, third party debt orders, writs, warrants, questioning, attachment of earnings). Online civil money claims follow PD 51R. No VAT and no London weighting; court fees are on top; the court can order otherwise. It never works out fixed recoverable costs (Part 45 Sections IV to X).

  Parameters:

  • represented (required) — string — Whether the party claiming the costs has a solicitor or other legal representative: "yes", or "no" (acting in person).
  • claim (required) — string — The kind of claim: "money" (a claim for a specified sum of money), "goods" (a claim for delivery of goods), "possession" (possession of land, a demotion claim, or a Welsh prohibited conduct claim), "accelerated" (accelerated possession), "enforcement" (enforcement only), "unspecified" (unspecified damages), "hmrc" (a claim by an HMRC officer in the County Court).
  • opr — boolean — "possession": the claim is in the Online Procedure Rules digital service.
  • cjja — boolean — Table 7: registering a certificate under Schedule 6 to the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982.
  • step — string — "money" or "goods": where the claim has got to: "issue" (issued, nothing more yet), "paid" (the defendant paid in time, with the fixed costs), "default-ack" (default judgment, no acknowledgment of service), "default-defence" (default judgment, no defence), "admission-accepted" (judgment on admission, payment proposal accepted), "admission-court" (judgment on admission, the court decided payment), "summary" (summary judgment, or defence struck out, on application), "cca" (goods only: judgment for delivery under a Consumer Credit Act regulated agreement), "small-claims" (decided on the small claims track).
  • route — string — How it was issued (default paper): "paper" (on paper or Money Claim Online), "ocmc" (online civil money claims, PD 51R).
  • writs — string — Table 7: writs of control or execution issued: a whole number, e.g. "1".
  • amount — string — "money": the amount claimed on the claim form; "goods": the value of the goods stated, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • service — string — How the claim form was served: "court" (by the court, or otherwise), "personal" (personally, by the claimant).
  • judgment — string — The judgment sum, if different from the amount claimed: debt and interest, without court fees and costs, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • landStep — string — "possession": where the claim has got to: "issue" (issued), "gave-up" (possession given up, arrears paid), "judgment" (possession order made).
  • warrants — string — Table 7: requests for a warrant of control or delivery, for a sum over £25: a whole number, e.g. "1".
  • altService — string — Table 6: service by an alternative method or at an alternative place (CPR 6.15), number of individuals served: a whole number, e.g. "1".
  • landJudgment — string — "possession" with landStep "judgment": the kind of order: "arrears" (rent arrears claim with a fixed hearing date, not defended), "demotion" (a successful demotion or prohibited conduct claim), "other" (something else: defended, or on other grounds).
  • personalDocs — string — Table 6: other documents required to be served personally, number of individuals served: a whole number, e.g. "1".
  • servedAbroad — string — Table 6: services out of the jurisdiction anywhere else: a whole number, e.g. "1".
  • chargingOrder — boolean — Table 7: a final charging order.
  • tpdoRecovered — string — Table 7: amount recovered under a final third party debt order, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • aoeAttendances — string — Table 7: attendances at an attachment of earnings hearing: a whole number, e.g. "1".
  • extraDefendants — string — Further defendants personally served by the claimant at separate addresses: a whole number, e.g. "1".
  • awardOutstanding — string — Table 7: the amount outstanding under an award enforced as if payable under a court order (CPR 70.5(4)), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • goodsValueStated — boolean — "goods": a value for the goods was stated on the claim form (default true).
  • servedScotlandEtc — string — Table 6: services out of the jurisdiction in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands: a whole number, e.g. "1".
  • questioningMinutes — string — Table 7: minutes of questioning a judgment debtor before a court officer: a whole number, e.g. "1".
  • acceleratedUndefended — boolean — "accelerated": a possession order was made and the defendant did not defend.
  • moneyInCourtRecovered — string — Table 7: amount recovered by payment out of money in court (CPR 72.10(1)(b)), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • noFixedCostsOnClaimForm — boolean — The claim form did not claim fixed commencement costs.
  • possessionPermissionPersons — string — Table 7: permission to enforce a possession order (CPR 83.13), persons given notice: a whole number, e.g. "1".

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• check_small_claims_costs read-only

  Checks whether a claim in England and Wales normally goes to the small claims track (CPR 26.9 to 26.12: £10,000; personal injury limits for pain, suffering and loss of amenity; housing disrepair with an order for repairs; never harassment or unlawful eviction) and adds up what CPR 27.14(2) allows on your figures: the Table 2 fixed issue costs, court fees paid, reasonable travel, lost earnings up to £95 a day for each person, experts up to £750 each, up to £260 for advice on an injunction or specific performance claim, and an appeal transcript. Optionally it also covers the small claims mediation pilot (PD 51ZE: claims issued from 22 May 2024 to 6 April 2027) and the costs of refusing ADR (Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil; CPR 44.2(5)(e)), and a small claims appeal: the route, permission, the N164 and its 21-day deadline, and the fee. Allocation is the court's decision, and further costs for unreasonable behaviour are for the court: never estimated.

  Parameters:

  • who — string — Who is claiming the costs, for what can be recovered.
  • kind — string — The kind of claim, for the track: "general" (a money claim or other claim, not personal injury or disrepair), "disrepair" (housing disrepair: a tenant's claim), "pi-rta" (personal injury: a road traffic accident), "pi-other" (personal injury: anything else), "eviction" (a tenant's claim for harassment or unlawful eviction).
  • ocmc — boolean — The claim was started in Online Civil Money Claims.
  • psla — string — Personal injury: damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • value — string — The value of the claim (personal injury: the total); for "disrepair", only where no order for repairs is sought, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • advice — string — With injunction: legal advice on that claim (capped at £260), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • issued — string — Optional: the date the claim was issued, for the PD 51ZE small claims mediation pilot (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • travel — string — Reasonable travel and overnight expenses for attending a hearing, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • claimed — string — Claimant: the amount claimed on the claim form, for the fixed issue costs, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • decided — string — Optional, for an appeal: the date of the decision (the hearing at which it was made) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • experts — array — Experts' fees, one entry per expert (each capped at £750), each in pounds, e.g. ["120", "95.50"]. In a query string, leave out thousands separators.
  • repairs — string — "disrepair": the estimated cost of the repairs, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • earnings — array — Lost earnings or leave, one entry per person per day (each capped at £95), each in pounds, e.g. ["120", "95.50"]. In a query string, leave out thousands separators.
  • courtFees — string — Court fees actually paid, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • adrRefused — boolean — A party refused or ignored an invitation to use ADR, or did not comply with an order to use it.
  • appealFrom — string — Optional, for an appeal: who made the small claims decision: "dj" (a District Judge or deputy), "cj" (a Circuit Judge or Recorder).
  • injunction — boolean — The claim includes an injunction or specific performance.
  • rtaSpecial — boolean — "pi-rta": an accident before 31 May 2021, or a claimant in a CPR 26.10 group (cyclist, pedestrian, motorcyclist and so on).
  • transcript — string — On an appeal: an approved transcript, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • represented — boolean — The claimant has a solicitor (default true), for the fixed issue costs.
  • roadTraffic — boolean — A money claim from a road traffic accident with no injury claimed (referred to mediation only if started in Online Civil Money Claims).
  • otherDamages — string — "disrepair": the other damages claimed, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • piBefore2022 — boolean — "pi-other": the cause of action accrued before 6 April 2022.
  • repairsOrder — boolean — "disrepair": the tenant seeks an order for repairs (default true).
  • unreasonable — boolean — The court found a party behaved unreasonably (CPR 27.14(2)(g)).
  • specifiedOnly — boolean — The only remedy claimed is a specified sum of money (the PD 51ZE pilot covers only those claims).
  • extraDefendants — string — Further defendants personally served at separate addresses: a whole number, e.g. "1".
  • missedMediation — boolean — A party did not attend the Small Claims Mediation Service appointment.
  • personalService — boolean — The claim form was served personally by the claimant.
  • rtaChildWhiplash — boolean — "pi-rta": a child or protected party with a whiplash injury, accident on or after 31 May 2021.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_litigant_in_person_costs read-only

  Works out the costs a self-represented party can claim in the civil courts of England and Wales under CPR 46.5: £24 an hour for time spent on or after 1 October 2025 and £19 an hour before (PD 46 para 3.4), or proven financial loss; payments for legal services and expert help with the costs claim; disbursements; the two-thirds cap on everything except disbursements, checked only against your own figure for what a lawyer would have been allowed; the small claims track limits (CPR 27.14(2)); fixed recoverable costs (CPR 45.4); and who counts as a litigant in person. It never estimates what a lawyer would have been allowed, and the court decides the time reasonably spent.

  Parameters:

  • who (required) — string — Who is claiming the costs: "individual" (an individual acting for themselves), "company" (a company acting through a director or employee who is not its lawyer), "lawyer-outside" (a lawyer acting in person outside their own practice, e.g. an employed solicitor or a barrister), "lawyer-own-practice" (a solicitor acting through their own practice: a sole practitioner, a partner, or an LLP), "company-in-house" (a company acting through its in-house solicitor).
  • regime — string — What kind of claim: "general" (costs not fixed: multi-track, a fast track claim outside fixed recoverable costs, an application, or costs-only proceedings), "small-claims" (the small claims track), "frc" (fixed recoverable costs, CPR 45 Sections VI to VIII), "section-2" (fixed costs on issue, judgment or enforcement, CPR 45 Section II).
  • travel — string — "small-claims": reasonable travel and overnight expenses, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • counsel — string — Direct-access counsel's fees actually paid, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • experts — array — "small-claims": experts' fees, one entry per expert (each capped at £750), each in pounds, e.g. ["120", "95.50"]. In a query string, leave out thousands separators.
  • earnings — array — "small-claims": lost earnings, one entry per person per day (each capped at £95), each in pounds, e.g. ["120", "95.50"]. In a query string, leave out thousands separators.
  • courtFees — string — "small-claims": court fees paid, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • comparator — string — Your own figure for what a legal representative would have been allowed (for "frc", the fixed recoverable costs), to check the two-thirds cap, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • hoursAfter — string — Hours of your own time spent on or after 1 October 2025 (£24 an hour), as a number such as "12.5" or hours and minutes such as "3:30".
  • injunction — boolean — "small-claims": the claim includes an injunction or specific performance.
  • provenLoss — string — Financial loss you can prove for the time spent, instead of the hourly rate, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • costsExpert — string — Paid for expert help with the costs claim, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • hoursBefore — string — Hours of your own time spent before 1 October 2025 (£19 an hour), as a number such as "12.5" or hours and minutes such as "3:30".
  • unreasonable — boolean — "small-claims": the court found a party behaved unreasonably (CPR 27.14(2)(g)).
  • disbursements — string — Other disbursements: court fees, travel, witness and expert witness fees, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • legalServices — string — Paid for legal advice or help from a lawyer qualified in England and Wales, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • sameDayWitness — boolean — A witness allowance is claimed for a day also claimed as attendance time.
  • injunctionAdvice — string — "small-claims" with injunction: paid for legal advice on that claim (capped at £260), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • costsExpertQualified — boolean — That expert is in a PD 46 para 3.1 class: a barrister, solicitor, FCILEx, FACL, or a costs draftsman in the Academy of Experts or the Expert Witness Institute.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• check_security_for_costs read-only

  Checks which conditions for security for costs in the civil courts of England and Wales (CPR Part 25 Section VI, as rewritten from 6 April 2025) appear to be met on your answers, with the rule's words: a claimant resident out of the jurisdiction (with the enforcement position by country, including the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention), a company with reason to believe it will be unable to pay (and after-the-event insurance), a change of address to evade, no or an incorrect address, a nominal claimant, steps taken with assets, funders and assignors (r.25.28), appeals (r.25.29), counterclaims, Solicitors Act and detailed assessments, arbitration challenges (s.70(6)) and foreign judgment registrations (CPR 74.5); then the discretion factors and the procedure. It never decides the application and never suggests an amount of security: that is for the court.

  Parameters:

  • proceeding (required) — string — What the security is for: "claim" (a claim, or a counterclaim, at first instance), "appeal" (an appeal), "assessment" (a detailed assessment between the parties), "solicitors-act" (a Solicitors Act assessment of a solicitor's bill), "arbitration" (a challenge or appeal under the Arbitration Act 1996, ss.67 to 69), "foreign-judgment" (registering a foreign judgment, or setting the registration aside).
  • aos — string — Whether the party applying has filed an acknowledgment of service or a defence (against a counterclaim, a defence to it): "yes" or "no".
  • ate — string — After-the-event insurance: "none" (none), "unprotected" (a policy the insurer could avoid), "protected" (anti-avoidance terms or a deed of indemnity).
  • kind — string — The party security is sought from: "individual" (an individual), "company" (a company or other body).
  • delay — boolean — The application is late.
  • evade — string — Where moved: whether there is evidence the move was to evade the consequences of the litigation: "yes" or "no".
  • moved — string — Whether the address has changed since the claim was commenced: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • where — string — Where they live, or for a company where it is managed and controlled: "england-wales" (England and Wales), "scotland" (Scotland), "northern-ireland" (Northern Ireland), "eu" (An EU member state other than Denmark), "denmark" (Denmark), "switzerland" (Switzerland), "ukraine" (Ukraine), "uruguay" (Uruguay), "albania" (Albania), "montenegro" (Montenegro), "andorra" (Andorra), "elsewhere" (Anywhere else (for example the USA, the BVI, China, Kenya, the UAE)).
  • assets — string — Whether they have taken steps with their assets that would make a costs order hard to enforce: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • issued — string — The date the claim was issued, for the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention (Art 16) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • unable — string — A company: whether there is reason to believe it will be unable to pay the costs if ordered to: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • address — string — The address in the claim form: "correct" (given, and correct), "none" (not given), "incorrect" (incorrect).
  • limited — boolean — That company is a limited company (for r.25.29(2) on an appeal).
  • capacity — string — Whose benefit the claim is for: "own" (their own), "nominee" (someone else's: a nominee with no real interest), "representative" (an estate or trust), "part19" (a group: a Part 19 representative claimant).
  • stifling — boolean — The claimant says an order would stifle the claim.
  • vitality — string — Against a counterclaim: whether it has a life of its own, beyond defending the claim: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • applicant — string — "claim" or "solicitors-act": who is applying for security: "defendant" (the defendant), "counterclaim" (the claimant, as defendant to a counterclaim), "claimant" (the claimant, against a defendant who only defends).
  • arbTarget — string — "arbitration": whether security is sought from the party challenging or appealing the award: "yes" or "no".
  • assetsHere — boolean — The claimant has assets or a fund in England and Wales.
  • permission — string — "appeal": permission to appeal: "granted" (granted), "adjourned" (adjourned to a hearing, appeal to follow).
  • thirdParty — string — Anyone else behind the claim: "none" (no one), "funder" (a funder paying for a share of any recovery), "assignor" (someone who assigned the claim to the claimant), "backer" (someone paying towards the costs without a share).
  • appealTarget — string — "appeal": who security is sought from: "appellant" (the appellant), "cross-appellant" (a respondent who also appeals), "respondent" (a respondent who does not appeal).
  • counterclaim — boolean — The defendant has a counterclaim on the same issues.
  • judgment1982 — string — "foreign-judgment": whether the registration is under the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • assignPurpose — string — Where "assignor": whether the claim was assigned to avoid a costs order against them: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • nomineeUnable — string — Where "nominee": whether there is reason to believe the nominee will be unable to pay: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • defendantCaused — boolean — The claimant says the defendant caused its lack of means.
  • costsOrderAgainst — string — Where someone else is behind the claim: whether a costs order could be made against them: "yes", "no" or "unsure".

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• check_solicitors_act_assessment read-only

  Works out whether a solicitor's bill can still be assessed under section 70 of the Solicitors Act 1974 (England and Wales), for the client, the firm, a third party who paid it (s.71(1)) or a beneficiary of an estate or trust that paid, or is entitled to pay, it (s.71(3)), from the dates of delivery, payment, judgment and the application: assessment as of right within one month of delivery (s.70(1)), the court's discretion up to 12 months (s.70(2)), special circumstances after 12 months, after judgment or after payment (s.70(3)), and no power more than 12 months after payment (s.70(4)). An emailed bill counts as delivered on the first working day after it was sent (s.69(2F)). Fees taken from money held for the client count as payment only where the client agreed the amount (Oakwood Solicitors Ltd v Menzies [2024] UKSC 34); a part payment is not payment of the bill (Rippon Patel and French LLP v Mowlam [2020] EWHC 1079 (QB)), and an unclear deduction, or a deadline that ended on a day the court office was closed with the claim issued on the next open day (Pritam Kaur), gives both answers. Optionally the one-fifth rule for the costs of the assessment (s.70(9) and (12); Karatysz v SGI Legal LLP [2022] EWCA Civ 1388) and the CPR 46.10 timetable from the order. It never says whether special circumstances exist and never estimates what an assessment would allow.

  Parameters:

  • applicant (required) — string — Who would apply for the assessment (a firm checking whether its client can still challenge a bill: client): "client" (The client who was billed), "solicitor" (The solicitor who sent the bill), "third-party" (Someone else who paid, or must pay, the bill), "beneficiary" (A beneficiary of an estate or trust that paid, or is entitled to pay, the bill).
  • paid — string — Whether the bill has been paid: "no" (not paid), "yes" (paid in full), "part" (part paid).
  • scope — string — For the one-fifth rule: what is being assessed: "all" (The whole bill), "profit" (Profit costs only (s.70(5))), "other" (Costs other than profit costs).
  • paidOn — string — The date of payment; for fees taken from money held for the client, the date the client agreed the amount, if later (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • applyOn — string — The date the claim for assessment would be issued (defaults to today) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • orderOn — string — For the CPR 46.10 timetable: the date of the order for assessment (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • paidHow — string — How the bill was paid: "direct" (paid by the client, or for them), "deduction" (taken from money the firm held for the client).
  • delivery — string — How the bill was delivered: "email" (By email or another electronic means), "post" (By post), "hand" (By hand).
  • grossSum — boolean — The bill is a gross sum bill for contentious business (s.64).
  • judgment — string — Whether the firm has obtained judgment for the costs in the bill: "yes" or "no".
  • compliant — string — Whether the bill is a statute bill: signed (or sent with a signed letter), delivered by hand, post or, where the client agreed, electronically, and final for the work it covers: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • delivered — string — By hand or post: the day the bill arrived. By email ("email"): the day it was sent; s.69(2F) moves delivery to the next working day (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • billAmount — string — For the one-fifth rule: the amount of the bill, or of the part being assessed (the total it demands, paid or not), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • agreedAmount — string — Where "deduction": whether the client agreed the amount taken for this bill: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • pointsServed — string — The date the points of dispute were served (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • assessedAmount — string — For the one-fifth rule: the amount allowed on assessment, or a figure to test, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • breakdownServed — string — The date the breakdown of costs was served (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• check_vat_on_costs read-only

  Works out whether a receiving party in England and Wales can include VAT in its claim for costs against the paying party, and how much: VAT is not claimed if the receiving party can recover it as input tax, and only the irrecoverable proportion where it recovers part (PD 44 para 2.3); input tax means VAT on services for its business, and only the business share where the services were used partly for it (VAT Act 1994 s.24(1) and (5); HMRC VIT13600); a VAT group recovers for its members (s.43); and the paying party cannot reclaim VAT on the other side's costs (VATSC11531). Covers public bodies that get VAT refunded under s.33 or s.41(3) (in our reading they should not claim it: PD 44 para 2.4), a party's own employed lawyers (no VAT on their work: HMRC VATSC11533; PD 44 para 2.13 for Government Departments), lawyers who charged no UK VAT, litigants in person (no VAT on their own time, para 2.12), pro bono orders under s.194(3) LSA 2007 (2.14), court fees and other disbursements (2.11), fixed costs net of VAT under CPR 45.2 as amended from 1 October 2024, the Part 45 Section II sums (no VAT added: r.45.16), IPEC scale costs (CPR 46.21(6)) and insurer-funded or subrogated claims (the insured's position counts: VIT13500). With figures net of VAT, returns the VAT claimable on each item at 20% and in total, and the Precedent F(6) certificate where VAT is disputed (PD 44 para 2.5). It never drafts or values a bill.

  Parameters:

  • rep (required) — string — Who did the receiving party's legal work: "lawyers" (Solicitors or other lawyers it pays), "employed" (Its own employed lawyers (an in-house team, including a Government Department’s legal staff)), "self" (Itself, as a litigant in person), "pro-bono" (Pro bono lawyers (an order under s.194(3) of the Legal Services Act 2007)).
  • profit — string — Profit costs, fixed costs or scale costs, net of VAT (in-house lawyers or a litigant in person: the value of their own time), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • regime — string — How the costs are worked out: "assessed" (Assessed costs (standard or indemnity basis)), "fixed" (Fixed costs under CPR 45.2’s list (rules 45.8 and 45.15A; fast and intermediate track FRC, RTA and EL/PL portal, NIHL, fixed costs determinations)), "section-ii" (Fixed issue, judgment or enforcement costs (Part 45 Section II, including small claims issue costs)), "ipec" (IPEC scale costs).
  • counsel — string — Counsel's fees, net of VAT, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • purpose — string — Where registered: whether the legal services were for the purpose of its business: "business" (For its business), "non-business" (Not for its business (personal use, or a non-business activity such as a charity’s free services)), "partly" (Partly), "unsure" (Not sure).
  • expenses — string — The firm's own travel, postage, telephone and similar, and charges supplied to the firm rather than the client, net of VAT, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • recovery — string — Where registered and wholly or partly for its business: how much of the VAT on these costs it can recover as input tax (Flat Rate Scheme: none): "full" (All of it), "partial" (Part of it), "none" (None of it), "unsure" (Not sure).
  • courtFees — string — Court fees, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • counselVat — string — Whether counsel charged VAT: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • lawyersVat — string — Where rep is "lawyers": whether they charged the receiving party UK VAT (assumed yes if left out): "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • publicBody — string — Where rep is "lawyers" or "employed": whether the receiving party is a public body that gets VAT refunded under s.33 or s.41(3) of the VAT Act 1994 (a council, government department or NHS body; not a housing association or charity): "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • registered — string — Whether the receiving party (the party whose costs are paid) is registered for VAT, on its own or in a VAT group: "yes", "no" or "unsure".
  • recoverPercent — string — Where recovery is "partial": the percentage of the VAT on these costs it can recover, e.g. "60"
  • businessPercent — string — Where purpose is "partly": the business share of the use of the legal services, as a percentage, e.g. "70"
  • disbursementVat — string — The VAT third parties (experts, medical records) charged on disbursements, as a sum, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• build_calderbank_offer read-only

  Drafts a written offer to settle a CLAIM marked "without prejudice save as to costs" (a Calderbank offer), in England and Wales, in the user's own terms: civil claims (issued or not), small claims, family proceedings outside FPR 28.3 (Schedule 1 claims, most interim applications other than interim variation) and employment tribunals; from a firm for its client or from the party itself; to the other side's solicitors or the other party. The costs term follows the offer's scope and pays Part 45 fixed costs where Part 45 fixes them (CPR 45.1(3)); a timed offer says a rejection or counter-offer will not end it, and a deadline on a weekend or bank holiday moves to the next working day; tribunal offers say the settlement will be recorded in a COT3 or settlement agreement (ERA 1996 s.203). Returns the letter text, the checks, the date the offer is open until, and what the court or tribunal can do with it: in civil claims the court has regard to an admissible offer that is not a Part 36 offer when deciding costs (CPR 44.2(4)(c)), nothing is automatic (CPR 36.2(2)) and Part 36's "by any amount, however small" test is not read into Part 44 (Coward v Phaestos Ltd [2014] EWCA Civ 1256); Part 36 does not apply once a claim is allocated to the small claims track (CPR 27.2(1)(g)); in employment tribunals rejection must be unreasonable (Sud v Ealing LBC [2013] EWCA Civ 949). It refuses financial remedy proceedings, including variation and interim variation (FPR 28.3(8)), and never drafts offers on costs (bills, detailed assessment), never puts a figure on costs and never suggests what to offer.

  Parameters:

  • forum (required) — string — Where the dispute is (financial remedy proceedings and disputes about costs are refused, with the reason): "civil" (A civil claim (fast, intermediate or multi-track, or not yet allocated)), "small-claims" (A small claim (allocated, or likely to be allocated, to the small claims track)), "family-other" (Family: a Schedule 1 claim, or an interim financial application other than an interim variation order), "employment" (An employment tribunal claim), "family-financial" (Family: financial remedy proceedings (divorce, dissolution, variation and interim variation)), "costs" (A dispute about costs (a bill, detailed assessment, costs-only)).
  • date — string — The letter's date (defaults to today) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • side — string — Which side makes the offer: "claiming" (the party bringing the claim), "responding" (the party defending it).
  • costs — string — How costs are dealt with if the offer is accepted: "pay" (the responding party pays the claiming party's costs of what the offer settles up to acceptance: in civil claims the Part 45 fixed costs where Part 45 fixes them, otherwise reasonable costs assessed on the standard basis if not agreed (civil and family only)), "own" (each party bears its own costs (the only choice in employment tribunals)), "reserved" (the costs of the part or issue settled are left to the court, with the costs of the rest (civil and family, part or issue offers only)), "fees" (the court fees the claimant has paid (small claims: issued, whole-claim offers only)).
  • court — string — The court or tribunal (optional)
  • scope — string — What the offer settles (default whole): "whole" (the whole claim), "part" (part of the claim), "issue" (one issue).
  • stage — string — Whether proceedings have been issued (default issued): "issued" (proceedings issued), "pre-action" (not yet issued).
  • terms — array — Other terms, one per item, in the user's own words (at most 8, each up to 600 characters). In a query string, repeat terms= for each term or send a JSON array: commas inside a term are kept.
  • voice — string — Who signs the letter (default firm): "firm" (a firm writing for its client), "self" (the party itself).
  • amount — string — The sum offered: to pay (responding) or to accept (claiming); leave out for an offer on other terms only, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • ourRef — string — Our reference (optional)
  • payDays — string — Days after acceptance for payment (default 14)
  • yourRef — string — Your reference (optional)
  • interest — string — Interest (default inclusive): "inclusive" (inclusive of interest), "plus" (plus a stated sum of interest).
  • openDays — string — Days the offer is open from the letter's date (default 21; "" for no time limit)
  • recipient — string — Who receives it (default solicitors): "solicitors" (the other side's solicitors), "party" (the other party in person).
  • scopeText — string — For part or issue: which, in the user's own words
  • claimNumber — string — The claim or case number
  • offereeFirm — string — Where recipient is solicitors: the other side's solicitors
  • offereeName — string — The name of the other party (a company or public body is addressed "Dear Sir or Madam")
  • offerorFirm — string — Where voice is firm: the firm sending the letter
  • offerorName — string — The name of the party making the offer
  • counterclaim — string — Any counterclaim (default none): "none" (no counterclaim), "includes" (the offer settles it too), "excludes" (the counterclaim continues).
  • interestAmount — string — Where interest is "plus": the interest sum, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • protectedParty — boolean — Civil claims and small claims: a party to the claim is a child or protected party, so any settlement needs the court's approval (CPR 21.10).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_employment_tribunal_costs read-only

  Works out employment tribunal costs figures in England, Wales and Scotland under the Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024: preparation time at the rule 77 hourly rate for the year the time was spent (£44 from 6 April 2024, up £1 each 6 April), final hearing time left out; a costs order with the £20,000 limit on a specified sum (rule 76), lay representatives' rates, witness expenses and deposits; the choice between a costs order and preparation time (rule 73(3)); wasted costs against a representative (rules 78 to 80); the 28-day deadline to apply (rules 75 and 5); and litigant in person costs in the Employment Appeal Tribunal (rule 34D, with the two-thirds cap). It applies the rates and caps to your figures and never estimates what a tribunal would allow. DMD Costs does not act in employment tribunals.

  Parameters:

  • mode (required) — string — The tribunal and the kind of order: "et" (employment tribunal: costs or preparation time), "wasted" (wasted costs), "eat" (Employment Appeal Tribunal: litigant in person costs).
  • rows — array — "et" with order "pto" or "compare": the preparation time, one entry per year it was spent in.
  • seal — string — "eat": the seal date of that order, if different (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • sent — string — For the deadline: the date the final judgment (EAT: the final order) was sent to the parties (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • order — string — "et": what is claimed: "pto" (a preparation time order: not represented by a legal representative), "costs" (a costs order: represented by a legal or lay representative), "compare" (both: represented for part of the case and not for the rest).
  • route — string — "et" with order "costs" or "compare": how the amount is decided: "specified" (a specified sum decided by the Tribunal, up to £20,000), "assessment" (detailed assessment, no limit), "agreed" (a sum agreed with the paying party, no limit).
  • nation — string — With sent: where the case is proceeding: "ew" (England and Wales), "scotland" (Scotland).
  • wasted — string — "wasted": the costs wasted (your figure), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • deposit — string — A deposit paid over to you by the paying party (r.40(8)), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • eatDisb — string — "eat": disbursements (outside the two-thirds cap), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • eatLoss — string — "eat": financial loss you can prove for the time spent, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • eatRows — array — "eat": your own time, one entry per year it was spent in.
  • layRate — string — The lay representative's hourly rate charged, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • witness — string — Witness expenses for attending a hearing, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • eatLegal — string — "eat": paid for legal services on the proceedings, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • eatOther — string — "eat": other expenses, and the cost of expert help with the costs claim, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • employee — boolean — "wasted": the representative is the party's own employee (r.78(3)).
  • layHours — string — A lay representative's hours charged, as a number such as "12.5" or hours and minutes such as "3:30".
  • forProfit — boolean — "wasted": the representative acted in pursuit of profit (r.78(4)).
  • legalCosts — string — The legal representative's costs claimed (your figure), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • layWorkYear — string — With a lay representative: the year the work was done (optional, for the other reading of r.76(2)), in the same form.
  • eatOrderYear — string — "eat": the year of the costs order (optional, for the other reading of the rate). The year beginning 6 April, as the calendar year it starts in, e.g. "2025" for 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026.
  • layOrderYear — string — With a lay representative: the year the costs order is, or will be, made. The year beginning 6 April, as the calendar year it starts in, e.g. "2025" for 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026.
  • eatComparator — string — "eat": your own figure for what a legal representative would have been allowed, to check the two-thirds cap, in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • eatSameDayWitness — boolean — "eat": a witness allowance is claimed for a day also claimed as attendance time.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• calculate_court_of_protection_fixed_costs read-only

  Works out the fixed costs a professional or public authority deputy may take from P's estate under Court of Protection Practice Direction 19B (the 2024 version, and the December 2017 version for periods ending before 1 April 2024), fee by fee: the deputy application, the annual management fees for property and affairs (the net-assets percentage below £20,300) and health and welfare, reports to the OPG, tax returns, trustee and PD 9D applications, property management, conveyancing and travel, with part years and VAT. Where the deputy takes detailed assessment instead, it gives the SCCO fee, the 75% cap on payments on account and the time limit, never an estimate of what an assessment would allow. Every figure is a maximum. DMD Costs does not act in Court of Protection matters.

  Parameters:

  • deputy (required) — string — Who the deputy is: "solicitor" (a solicitor, an SRA-regulated trust corporation or a chartered legal executive), "other-solicitor-rates" (another professional deputy whose order authorises solicitors' rates), "public-authority" (an office holder of a public authority), "other-pa-rates" (another professional deputy on public authority rates, or whose order says fixed costs without saying which), "lay" (a lay deputy, such as a family member).
  • order (required) — string — What the order provides for the deputy's costs: "fixed" (fixed costs), "assessment" (detailed assessment by the SCCO), "inter-partes" (costs paid by another party, not out of P's estate).
  • wip — string — Assessment: work in progress for the management year (your figure), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • elect — string — Where order is "assessment": "assessment" (take it, as the order provides) or "fixed" (elect fixed costs instead, para 5).
  • filed — string — Assessment: the date the request (Form N258B) is filed, for the court fee (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • items — array — The fees to work out, one entry each (up to 20).
  • estimate — string — Assessment: the estimate given to the OPG (your figure), in pounds, e.g. "12500" or "12,500.50".
  • notForProfit — boolean — "other-pa-rates": a not-for-profit deputy, for the fixed travel rate.
  • vatRegistered — boolean — A deputy who is not a solicitor or a public authority is VAT registered.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• check_awaabs_law_timescales read-only

  Checks a social landlord's Awaab's Law timescales in England (section 10A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025, S.I. 2025/1042, in force from 27 October 2025 for damp and mould and for emergency hazards): the investigation, the written summary, the safety work, alternative accommodation and supplementary preventative work, each with its deadline and whether it was met, counting working days or 24-hour periods. It does not decide whether a hazard is significant or an emergency: that is a question of fact. Give the hazard, the timescale (track) and the date the landlord became aware; add later dates to check each step.

  Parameters:

  • hazard (required) — string — The hazard: "damp" (Damp, mould or fungal growth), "excess-cold" (Excess cold), "excess-heat" (Excess heat), "hygiene" (Domestic hygiene, including food, pests, waste and sanitation), "falls-level" (Falls on the level, including baths and showers), "falls-stairs" (Falls on stairs, steps or ramps), "falls-between" (Falls between levels), "electrical" (Electrical hazards), "fire" (Fire and smoke), "explosion" (Explosions), "collapse" (Structural collapse or falling elements), "other" (Another housing hazard (e.g. water supply, carbon monoxide or gas, intruders)), "crowding" (Crowding and space).
  • track (required) — string — "significant" (working days, default) or "emergency" (24 hours).
  • aware (required) — string — The date the landlord became aware of the issue (a report, complaint, inspection or letter of claim) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • alt — string — Alternative accommodation: "none" recorded (default), "provided", or "refused" (the tenant refused an offer).
  • asAt — string — Check as at this date (defaults to today) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • prevBy — string — Which investigation identified the preventative work: "first" (and it could begin at once), "first-wait" (it needed the further investigation first) or "further".
  • altDate — string — Where provided: the date alternative accommodation was provided from (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • altTime — string — Where provided: the time (24-hour HH:MM). Leave out if not known.
  • further — string — The date the further investigation was completed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • outcome — string — What the latest investigation found: "none" (no significant or emergency hazard), "significant", "emergency", or "further" (a hazard, but a further investigation was needed).
  • renewed — string — A renewed investigation (reg 7): the date it was completed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • landlord — string — "social" for a council or housing association (default), "private" or "other". Awaab's Law covers social housing.
  • safetyBy — string — Where outcome is "further": which investigation identified the safety work.
  • summary1 — string — The date the written summary was given after the first investigation (handed over, posted or emailed) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • summary2 — string — The date the written summary was given after the renewed investigation (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • summary3 — string — The date the written summary was given after the further investigation (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • awareTime — string — Emergency: the time the landlord became aware (24-hour HH:MM). Leave out if not known.
  • workBegan — string — The date the preventative work began (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • knewBefore — boolean — The landlord knew of the problem before the regulations applied to it (reg 21).
  • safetyDone — string — The date the safety work was completed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • stepsTaken — string — The date steps were taken to arrange the preventative work (e.g. a contractor booked) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • adviceGiven — string — The date a safety advice document was given (optional) (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • furtherTime — string — The time the further investigation was completed (24-hour HH:MM). Leave out if not known.
  • groundsDate — string — Where groundsLater: when the grounds arose (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • groundsTime — string — Where groundsLater: the time the grounds arose (24-hour HH:MM). Leave out if not known.
  • renewedTime — string — The time the renewed investigation was completed (24-hour HH:MM). Leave out if not known.
  • fireLocation — string — For a fire hazard: "inside" (inside a flat, or anywhere in a house) or "block" (a building with two or more homes: its structure, external walls, common parts or a flat's front door).
  • firstOutcome — string — Where there was a renewed investigation: what the first one found, "none" or "significant".
  • groundsLater — boolean — Emergency: reasonable grounds to believe there was an emergency arose later than awareness.
  • investigated — string — The date the investigation (or emergency investigation) was completed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • preventative — string — Whether supplementary preventative work was identified (reg 13): "yes", "no" or "" if not known.
  • furtherHazard — string — Where outcome is "further": the hazard found.
  • workCompleted — string — The date the preventative work was completed (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • safetyDoneTime — string — Emergency: the time the safety work was completed (24-hour HH:MM). Leave out if not known.
  • askedInspection — boolean — The tenant asked for a physical inspection.
  • firstWasPhysical — string — Whether the first investigation included a physical inspection: "yes", "no" or "" if not known.
  • investigatedTime — string — Emergency: the time the investigation was completed (24-hour HH:MM). Leave out if not known.
  • inspectionRequested — string — Where askedInspection: the date of the request (YYYY-MM-DD).

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• look_up_j_codes read-only

  Finds the code for a piece of work in an electronic bill of costs (Precedent S, PD 47 Schedule 2) by code or by the work done: phases P1 to P15, tasks T1 to T41, activities A1 to A10, expenses X1 to X15 and the matching J-codes, with each task's Precedent H budget phase.

  Parameters:

  • query (required) — string — A code (e.g. 'T19', 'JK10', 'A5') or the work done (e.g. 'trial bundle', 'Part 36 offer').
  • kinds — array — Limit the search to these kinds of code.

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

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