Litigation Costs Update: Revised Solicitors’ Hourly Rates and Lump Sum Assessment Figures with effect from 1 April 2026

The Judiciary has revised the Solicitors’ Hourly Rates (SHRs) and Lump Sum Assessment figures with effect from 1 April 2026. The new rates apply to legal work undertaken on or after that date.

The revisions are intended to narrow the gap between actual legal costs incurred and the costs recoverable from an unsuccessful party. As a result, parties involved in litigation should reassess their costs exposure and litigation strategy.

Revised Solicitors’ Hourly Rates

In Hong Kong, a successful party will generally not recover all of its legal costs from the unsuccessful party. Instead, recoverable costs are assessed through a process known as party and party taxation, during which the court considers whether the work undertaken was necessary and reasonable.

The courts use Solicitors’ Hourly Rates (SHRs) as a guideline when assessing the recoverable costs.

The revised SHRs reflect increases of approximately 7% to 8% across most levels of experience in both the High Court and District Court.

Post-Qualification Experience (PQE)	High Court		District Court
	Old (HK$)	New (HK$)	Old (HK$)	New (HK$)
>15 years	5,800	6,240	3,860	4,160
9-15 years	5,200	5,600	3,460	3,730
7-8 years	4,500	4,840	3,000	3,220
5-6 years	3,900	4,200	2,600	2,800
2-4 years	3,200	3,450	2,130	2,300
Newly admitted	2,600	2,800	1,730	1,860
Trainee Solicitor	1,700	1,830	1,130	1,220
Litigation Clerk	1,300	1,400	860	930
Law Cost Draftsman	1,800	1,940	1,800	1,940

Readers should refer to the relevant Law Society circulars Circular 26-197 (PA) and Circular 17-1017 (PA) for the complete schedules.

Revised Lump Sum Assessment figures

Lump sum assessments by the courts provides a simplified alternative to a full taxation exercise. Instead of assessing every item of work undertaken, the court applies fixed reference figures for specific categories of proceedings.

No.	Type of Case	Scale / Basis	High Court		District Court
			Old (HK$)	New (HK$)	Old (HK$)	New (HK$)
1.	Charging Order Nisi & Absolute	Party and Party	9,100	9,800	6,100	6,600
		Indemnity	10,400	11,200	7,000	7,500
		Solicitor and Client	11,700	12,600	7,900	8,400
2.	Mortgagee Actions (Order 88)	Party and Party	32,500	35,000	22,000	23,400
		Indemnity	37,000	39,800	25,000	26,600
		Solicitor and Client	42,000	45,200	28,000	30,200
3.	Charging Order for sale of land under Order 50 rule 9A (whole proceedings)	Party and Party	30,000	32,300	20,000	21,600
		Indemnity	34,000	36,600	23,000	24,400
		Solicitor and Client	39,000	42,000	26,000	28,000
4.	Money Lenders’ Actions (Order 83A)	Party and Party	15,600	16,800	10,500	11,200
		Indemnity	17,900	19,300	12,000	12,900
		Solicitor and Client	20,300	21,900	13,600	14,600
5.	Actions arising out of hire-purchase or conditional sale agreements (Order 84A)	Party and Party	15,600	16,800	10,500	11,200
		Indemnity	17,900	19,300	12,000	12,900
		Solicitor and Client	20,300	21,900	13,600	14,600
6.	Garnishee Order Nisi & Absolute	Party and Party	5,200	5,600	3,500	3,800
		Indemnity	6,500	7,000	4,400	4,700
		Solicitor and Client	7,800	8,400	5,200	5,600
7.	Three-minutes chambers hearing	Solicitor	1,040	1,200	700	800
		Trainee	650	700	450	500
		Legal Executive	500	540	350	400

Readers should refer to the relevant Law Society circulars Circular 26-220 (PA) and Circular 18-11 (PA) for the complete schedules.

Practical impact on litigants

The revisions mean that parties involved in litigation face potentially greater adverse costs exposure if proceedings become fully contested. At the same time, successful litigants may be able to recover a greater proportion of their legal costs than before.

The figures are used as guidelines only, and the court retains discretion to determine recoverable costs based on the facts of each case.

Nevertheless, the revised figures provide a useful indication of the increasing costs associated with litigation in Hong Kong and should be factored into any dispute resolution strategy.

Our firm regularly advises businesses and individuals on litigation strategy, costs exposure, settlement options and taxation proceedings. If you require advice regarding a dispute or the likely recovery of legal costs, please contact us for a confidential discussion.

Contact

Ashima Sood
+852 2555 9009
ashimasood@nanwanis.com