25 Years of ACLT: Celebrating the Successes and Recognising the Opportunities

Twenty-Five Years of Progress and Pride 

February 2026 marks 25 years since the establishment of ACL Training – a quarter of a century dedicated to supporting the development, regulation and progression of Costs Lawyers across England and Wales.

In those 25 years, the profession has changed significantly. Regulatory reform, increased scrutiny of legal costs and a growing demand for specialist expertise have all had their impact. Throughout it all, ACLT has remained committed to a single purpose: equipping Costs Lawyers with the knowledge, skills and professional standards the justice system requires.

The launch of the Costs Lawyer Professional Qualification (CLPQ) just over two years ago marked a milestone in that journey. Today, as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we reflect on what the CLPQ has achieved and what it means for the future of the profession.

A Modern Route to Qualification

When we launched the CLPQ in 2023, our aim was clear: to redefine how Costs Lawyers qualify by combining academic depth with real-world application and strong professional standards. 

Two years on, with the first cohort now fully qualified, the results speak for themselves. Consistent pass rates, inspiring learner journeys and growing employer engagement all demonstrate that the qualification is delivering.

Previously, qualifying as a Costs Lawyer required three years of study and three years of qualifying experience – a demanding six-year process that created significant barriers for many aspiring practitioners. Following the CLSB’s Competency Statement in 2022 and approval from the Legal Services Board (LSB) to update Training Rules, the opportunity emerged to design a more accessible model.

The result was the CLPQ: a two-year, part-time, CLSB-accredited qualification for professionals already working in legal or costs roles. It integrates academic study with practical experience, enabling students to earn while they learn and progress toward a regulated role without stepping away from their careers.

Owen Poole, Costs Consultant at OP Costs Drafting, who returned to qualification after a long break, highlighted the difference the CLPQ made to his experience, “It wasn’t my first attempt at qualification. I began studying to become a Costs Lawyer 20 years ago but with a young family and a full-time job it was tough.

“It was a pleasant surprise to find [the CLPQ] was far removed from my experience all those years ago. The course was far more focused on the students, with better support and infrastructure. The studying environment and the support network I had available made all the difference, helping me to qualify.”

Balancing study and work is no small feat – but as our students have shown, it’s achievable.

The Role of a Costs Lawyer: A Profession with Purpose 

Costs Lawyers play a crucial part within the justice system. They ensure that legal costs are fair, transparent and proportionate, protecting clients and supporting access to justice.

For individuals, becoming a Costs Lawyer provides professional recognition, career progression and the authority to:

  • Conduct costs litigation
  • Administer oaths 
  • Represent clients before the courts in all matters of costs 

It’s a career with purpose, combining technical expertise with professional autonomy and public trust.

For employers, having qualified Costs Lawyers within their teams strengthens both compliance and client service. Sponsoring a candidate through the CLPQ demonstrates commitment to quality, transparency and talent development. It also expands service offerings.

“Sponsoring colleagues through the CLPQ has allowed us to strengthen our in-house expertise in costs law at a time when scrutiny of legal costs is increasing. Having regulated Costs Lawyers within our teams enhances our ability to manage complex litigation costs, funding arrangements and advocacy with confidence, while ensuring we continue to meet the highest professional and regulatory standards”. ~ Paula Walkden, Costs Operational Delivery Director, Irwin Mitchell LLP

With growing regulatory and media scrutiny of legal costs, training Costs Lawyers has never been more valuable to firms. It’s a profession gaining recognition and momentum and the CLPQ has been at the forefront of that change.

Celebrating Successes: Two Years of the CLPQ

Last summer marked a major milestone as the first CLPQ cohort qualified in August 2025. Each learner’s journey demonstrates commitment, ambition and the unique value of studying a specialist area of law, while still working.

Nicholas Northrop, Senior Costs Consultant at Carter Burnett, brought three decades of experience in legal services to the course:

“It’s never too late to qualify. The Costs Lawyer course has given structure and validation to everything I’ve done so far. It’s been challenging, yes – but also deeply rewarding. Costs law never stands still, and neither do I.”

For experienced costs professionals like Nicholas, the CLPQ offers a way to consolidate expertise and move into a regulated role.

For others, it represents an accelerated route to professional recognition. Thomas Higginbottom, Director at ARC Costs and Greener Costs, with an LPC already under his belt, was able to reduce his qualifying time thanks to prior learning exemptions, qualifying in just one year. Thomas recalled, “on my first day back in the office following exams and two very unusual topics came across my desk – both had been covered during my course and so, although a lot of people in the office weren’t entirely sure on how to proceed, I knew exactly what to do.

“Qualifying really helped my confidence and filled in any gaps in my knowledge.”

Students consistently tell us that learning can be applied immediately in practice – strengthening both confidence and capability. 

The CLPQ is also supporting the next generation. Sarah-Jane Lewis, recently qualified Costs Lawyer at Peak Costs shared:

“Staying motivated hasn’t always been easy, but what keeps me going is the long-term goal: qualifying as a Costs Lawyer and advancing in a career I’m passionate about. When motivation dips, I reflect on how far I’ve come (especially as I never went to university and I have worked from the ground up)

“It’s not about being perfect every week, it’s about showing up consistently, even if some days that just means doing what I can.”

Sarah-Jane’s progress shows what’s possible with determination and opportunity – building long-term careers in costs law through a flexible accredited pathway.

Leading costs practices and solicitors firms have sponsored team members through the CLPQ, reporting improved retention, enhanced service delivery and long-term capability building. Investing in qualification is proving to be both a professional and commercial advantage.

Why Choose the CLPQ?

For individuals, the CLPQ enables professionals to qualify while continuing to work. It combines structured academic study with practical experience, building the full skillset required of a regulated Costs Lawyer.

Students study:

  • Year 1 – Provides a foundation in Civil Litigation
    • Contract Law
    • Law of Tort
    • Civil Litigation 
    • Professional Standards & Ethics

  • Year 2 – Provides the law and practice of Costs
    • Costs Pleadings & Procedures 
    • Legal Aid
    • Costs Advocacy 
    • Practice & Procedure 
    • Lawyer-Client Relationship & Funding Arrangements 

The qualification provides a clear route to career progression, partnership and professional recognition as a regulated legal practitioner.

“The CLPQ is about developing reflective, capable professionals who can stand alongside solicitors and barristers as equals in the field of costs. It prepares individuals to qualify as regulated practitioners with recognised authority, professional independence and a clear role within the justice system. The qualification opens sustainable career pathways in costs law, offering professional progression into senior practice, advocacy, management, partnership or consultancy. This is not a supporting role, but a profession in its own right, with long-term opportunity, autonomy and influence across the legal sector”. ~ Andy Noble, CLPQ Tutor

For employers, sponsoring an employee through the CLPQ is a strategic investment. It builds internal capability, demonstrates commitment to clients and supports talent retention.

Employers tell us having qualified Costs Lawyers in their team helps them:

  • Expand their service offering 
  • Manage costs with greater transparency and accountability 
  • Enhance client confidence in billing practices

“Developing Costs Lawyers through the CLPQ strengthens both our client offering and our financial efficiency. By expanding regulated costs expertise in-house, we’re better placed to optimise costs recovery, support litigation strategy and provide clients with transparent, authoritative advice on costs. It’s an investment that delivers value for our people, our clients and the wider business.” ~ Paula Walkden, Costs Operational Delivery Director, Irwin Mitchell LLP

Because the CLPQ is delivered part-time and online, students can study flexibly while continuing to deliver for clients, ensuring the qualification strengthens both the individual’s expertise and business revenue.

Looking Ahead: Building the Next Generation of Costs Lawyers

Our 25th Anniversary is not only a moment to reflect, but an opportunity to look ahead. 

The CLSB’s EDI Report (2024) made clear the profession needed to act to secure its future. The report highlighted that the average age of a Costs Lawyer remains high with the number of practitioners aged 20-29 falling between 2019-2022. Encouragingly, since the launch of the CLPQ we’ve seen a steady increase in younger entrants and mid-career professionals pursuing the qualification. This growth reflects not only the accessibility of the CLPQ but also the renewed visibility and credibility of the profession it supports.

At the same time the demand for cost expertise is increasing sharply. The pressures on litigation funding, the growth of collective actions and the need for transparent defensible billing practices have placed Costs Lawyers in the spotlight.

  • Legal Futures reported calls for Costs Lawyers to “play a bigger role in an ‘out of control’ costs market”, as courts and clients alike look for specialists who can uphold standards and deliver accountability 
  • Meanwhile, the Law Gazette has highlighted how the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) is intensifying its scrutiny of collective action fees, reinforcing the need for qualified professionals who can navigate complex costs issues with authority and independence.

Beyond the legal media, costs and transparency are now in the spotlight, with high-profile celebrity cases like ‘Wagatha Christie’ entering the public consciousness. Clients expect transparency and regulators demand compliance. Qualified Costs Lawyers deliver both.

The CLPQ sits at the centre of this evolution – ensuring the profession remains accessible, credible and sustainable – continuing to attract and develop diverse, skilled practitioners. 

Leadership and the Next Chapter

As we celebrate 25 years, we also mark an important change in leadership. After three years as Chair of the Board, Sarah Hutchinson stepped down, having laid strong foundations for the CLPQ and strengthened ACL Training’s standing within the profession. We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for her leadership.

We are delighted to welcome Tracy Savage as our new Chair. Tracy brings extensive experience in legal education and professional development and we look forward to her guidance as ACL Training continues to grow its impact.

“The CLPQ has already demonstrated how accessible, high-quality training can strengthen the Costs Lawyer profession and open doors for new and existing practitioners alike. I’m excited to build on these strong foundations, supporting employers, learners and partners as ACL Training continues to expand opportunity, raise standards and develop the next generation of regulated Costs Lawyers.” ~Tracy Savage, Chair of ACL Training

Looking ahead, ACL Training will continue to build on its reputation as a trusted training provider, as we prepare to apply for the government Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR) to deliver an apprenticeship in Costs Law, following the development of the Costs Lawyer Occupational Standard. This represents not a change in direction, but a continuation of our long-standing commitment – building on decades of specialist training to secure the sustainability of the profession.

The Future Starts Now

Twenty-five years on, we’re proud of the community we’ve built – students, tutors, employers and partners who share our commitment to professionalism, integrity and progress.

Through the CLPQ, we’re not only celebrating results; we’re helping shape the future of costs law.

So, whether you’re an individual working in costs law and ready to take the next step in your career, or an employer looking to enhance your service offering while investing in your team – we invite you to be part of the next chapter.

The profession is evolving. The pathway is clear. And the future starts here.