From 1st October the hourly rate for a litigant in person will increase
from £9.25 to £18.00 -
57th amendment to CPR - See
the section "The Costs Practice Direction supplementing Parts 43-48 "
This will only affect litigants in person who secure costs order
against another party.
In family proceedings, with the
exception of the divorce suit (the bit where you end the marriage), the
normal rule is that there is no order for costs therefore the hourly rate
increase will have no effect. It is therefore rare to obtain a costs order
in family proceedings.
As a point of clarification, applications
made by a person against their cohabitee under The Trusts of Land and
Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 are subject to the rule that 'costs follow
the event' which means that the person that succeeds in those proceedings
(whether claimant or defendant) will usually be awarded their costs.
'Costs following the event' is the principle that is disapplied in
family proceedings.
Charles
Forum 
England and Wales 
