For over 14 years we have worked with the Association of Costs Lawyers (ACL).
The ACL is a membership body representing and promoting the status and interests of Cost Lawyers in England and Wales. Founded in 1977, the Association is an approved regulator under the Legal Services Act 2007, meaning that its members can undertake the reserved activities of conducting litigation and advocacy. They are authorised by the ACL’s independent regulatory arm, the Costs Lawyer Standards Board.
In recognition of this status, what was the Association of Law Costs Draftsmen changed its name to the ACL in 2011 and appointed Black Letter Communications to promote the new identity and to position the ACL as the voice on costs in the legal profession.
Today, the ACL is firmly on the call list of legal journalists for expert costs commentary and analysis. But we have moved beyond our initial media-focused remit to work on the Association’s broader goals. We have helped grow membership through communications and outreach activities and developed influence at policy level by ensuring its voice is heard in the right places.
Integral to our success has been our ability to keep the ACL relevant, continually evolving to reflect developments in the profession and the changing needs of its members.
Our press office remains a central point for journalists seeking comment on costs issues, enabling us to respond rapidly to key judgments and other developments with timely insights. We have secured regular article placements in publications such as The Times – Law, New Law Journal, Solicitors Journal, Law Society Gazette, The Association of District Judges Newsletter, and the Thomson Reuters Dispute Resolution Blog. We have also made our mark at a national level, for example commenting on the legal costs process following the libel trial between Colleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy – this saw the ACL quoted for the first time in OK! Magazine, alongside national titles such as The Guardian, The Sun and The Times. Meanwhile, our annual member survey continues to deliver valuable insights into the working lives of ACL members, and coverage of the market trends that it reveals.
We host an annual market roundtable, regularly featuring contributions from senior judges, such as the then deputy head of civil justice, Lord Justice Birss, and Senior Costs Judge Jason Rowley, alongside Costs Lawyers, solicitors and leading costs KCs.
More recently, we launched an exclusive, members-only annual In Conversation event, debuting with Lord Justice Coulson in discussion with Black Letter’s Neil Rose. The event drew a full house and generated strong coverage in the Law Society Gazette.
Other notable milestones include securing a dedicated costs category in the Legal 500 directory, following our proposal, and introducing two categories for the costs profession in national legal awards programmes – both significant steps towards achieving greater recognition for Costs Lawyers across the legal profession.
Alongside this, we have supported the launch of the Costs Lawyer Professional Qualification, working with the Association’s training arm, ACL Training, to promote it. This has included hosting its first roundtable – on the Costs Lawyer career – drafting and conducting student interviews for website and social media case studies and boosting LinkedIn followers and engagement.
Black Letter’s Neil Rose edits the ACL’s membership ebulletin, publishing news articles and features every week, 48 weeks a year. This invaluable, member-only benefit is the only dedicated source of weekly news on what is happening in the world of costs and achieves an open rate in excess of 60%.
David Bailey-Vella, chair of the ACL says: “Black Letter Communications’ deep understanding of the legal sector, and our niche area in particular, is reflected in the fact that successive ACL Councils have chosen to work with them for over 14 years.
“Neil’s sharp technical insight and writing expertise, coupled with Kerry’s strategic counsel and outstanding media relations, continue to enhance our impact as a small but influential representative body.
“Beyond consistently strong media results, Black Letter have helped us think more broadly and ambitiously about our role. They’ve challenged and supported us to elevate our voice at both policy and judicial levels, while also strengthening how we communicate with members through carefully crafted, high-impact initiatives.
“We always enjoy working with Black Letter – they’re professional, but they also know how to keep things fun.
“We consider Kerry and Neil a vital part of the Council’s extended support team.”
