New Solicitors’ Guideline Hourly Rates 2026 UK – Updated Table and Guide

The Solicitors’ Guideline Hourly Rates 2026 have been published by the Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Voss, and apply from 1 January 2026. These rates provide a starting point for solicitors’ hourly charges in summary and detailed assessments of costs and are an essential reference for law firms, clients, and costs professionals.

View the official published rates via the link below.

Official published rates: Solicitors' guideline hourly rates 

This guide explains the 2026 updates, compares them with previous years, and provides practical advice on using guideline rates, justifying higher fees applying CPR 44.4(3), and updating retainers.

Overview of the 2026 Guideline Hourly Rate Update

Following the Civil Justice Council’s strategic review of costs, the Guideline Hourly Rates were updated to allow for Service Producer Price Inflation (SPPI), resulting in a 2.28% increase on the 2025 rates.

Further work is ongoing on guideline rates for Counsel and potential new top rates for complex commercial work.

Why the Guideline Rates Matter

The Solicitors’ Guideline Hourly Rates are guideline figures intended for summary assessment, not fixed or mandatory rates. They serve as the baseline for parties and courts when assessing costs. Higher rates may be claimed where justified, provided clear evidence is presented applying the ‘Pillars of Wisdom’ in CPR 44.4(3).

Guideline rates also underpin:

• Costs budgeting and bill preparation
• Retainers and engagement letters

2026 Rates Compared with Previous Years

To help law firms and clients understand the changes, the table above shows the new 2026 rates alongside the previous rate updates:

Using Guideline Rates in Summary and Detailed Assessments

Guideline rates are intended as a starting point for summary and detailed assessments of costs. The court may award rates above the guideline where justified, for example, in matters requiring specialist expertise or exceptional skill. Such cases should be supported by evidence demonstrating why the guideline figure is insufficient.

When Higher Hourly Rates Can Be Justified

The “Pillars of Wisdom” in CPR 44.4(3) guides the justification for exceeding guideline rates. Higher rates may be appropriate in cases involving:

• High complexity matters, such as a complex commercial case or a serious clinical negligence matter
• Work requiring specialist skills or niche expertise
• Exceptional responsibility or risk undertaken by fee earners
  Providing clear evidence applying CPR 44.4(3) is essential.

Practical Tips for Law Firms on Retainers and Costs

With the 2026 rates now in force, law firms should:

• Review engagement letters and retainer terms to ensure they allow for the updated hourly rates.

• Inform clients when higher rates may be charged, including in cases where costs are recoverable from the opposing party (inter partes), so clients understand the circumstances in which costs may exceed guideline figures.

• Ensure agreements accurately reflect the complexity and nature of the work undertaken.

Proactively updating retainer terms helps ensure that the indemnity principle is not breached, reduces the risk of disputes during summary and detailed assessments of costs, and promotes transparency where inter partes recovery may be lower than the solicitor’s contractual charges.

Expert Costs Lawyer Support in the UK

At Costs Lawyer UK, we provide specialist guidance on:

• Applying Solicitors’ Guideline Hourly Rates 2026 in assessments
• Drafting and defending costs budgets and bills
• Justifying higher rates applying CPR 44.4(3)

Whether navigating guideline rate changes, complex costs issues, or disputed assessments, Costs Lawyer UK offers specialist support at every stage. Please get in touch via email: enquiries@costslawyeruk.com or call: 01925 422945.