A message to members of the Law Society of Northern Ireland from the President, Colin Mitchell:
Dear Colleagues,
The Taxing Master yesterday published details of the new Hourly Rate for solicitors.
Following extensive lobbying by the Society on behalf of our members, the Lady Chief Justice in February 2024 established a Working Group chaired by Mr Justice McAlinden to review the Solicitor’s Hourly Rate. That Group which comprised a number of Society nominees and other interested parties concluded its work at the end of January 2025. The Taxing Master yesterday published details of his determination of the new Hourly Rate on the Judiciary NI website.
A review of the rate has been long overdue, and I like many others welcome this increase which is in excess of 50% of the former rate. The new rate of £155 per hour is effective from 1 June 2025 and will apply to 1 April 2027. Members should note that the new rate is prospective only and does not apply retrospectively.
Considerable time and effort was expended by the Society on the Review which was greatly assisted by our engaging BDO NI to undertake a survey of members to collect and analyse data on the cost of operating a solicitor’s practice in 2024. Empirical data was supplied by 131 working firms which assisted in the preparation of an independent and commercial assessment of the Hourly Rate, the contents of which were accepted by the Working Group.
BDO used several different calculations to establish a robust and verifiable figure for the Hourly Rate.
As President of the Law Society and Chair of the Contentious Business Committee, I would like to take this opportunity thank everyone involved in the Review of the Hourly Rate including those members who took the time to complete the survey and participated in follow up interviews. All the hard work has produced an increased rate which is reflective of the actual cost of operating a practice.
Colin Mitchell
President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland
