Court Costs Forms UK: EX80A & EX80B Explained
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If you have been involved in litigation funded through legal aid, there comes a point where the costs of the case need to be assessed by the court. That assessment is handled through a specific set of forms, and getting the paperwork right matters.
The two forms most commonly encountered are EX80A and EX80B. Both sit within the detailed assessment process used by the High Court and County Court in England and Wales. This guide walks through what these forms do, when each one applies, and the sections you will need to complete.
It is written for people who have been asked to file a costs certificate and want a plain-English overview before they start. If you are working on a case where public funding is involved, understanding the framework early tends to save time later.
What this document is
The EX80A and EX80B forms are court documents used to certify the costs claimed on behalf of a legally aided party. They form part of the detailed assessment procedure, which is the formal mechanism by which a court decides how much one party (or the Legal Aid Agency) should pay for the legal work done on a case.
EX80A is the general certificate used across civil proceedings. It covers costs payable by another party, costs payable by the Legal Aid Agency only, and the costs of the assessment process itself. EX80B is a narrower form used specifically in family proceedings where a fixed fee applies rather than a fully itemised bill.
Because the forms sit within the court's costs rules, they are not general-purpose documents. They are filed after a bill of costs has been prepared, and they bring together the figures the court needs to finalise what can be recovered. The form is sealed by the court once the assessment is complete.
How to use this document
- Identify the right form. Check whether your case needs EX80A (standard legal aid assessment across civil matters) or EX80B (family proceedings where a fixed fee applies). Using the wrong form will cause the court to reject or return the paperwork, so confirm this before you begin filling anything in.
- Gather your case details. You will need the court name, your claim or case number, your legal aid certificate number, and your legal representative's reference. Have your bill of costs ready alongside records of pre-certificate costs, disbursements, profit costs, and any VAT. Accuracy at this stage prevents later amendments.
- Complete each section in turn. Section A covers costs payable by another party, including pre-certificate costs and assessment costs. Section B covers costs payable only by the Legal Aid Agency. Section C covers the costs of the assessment itself. Section D brings the totals together into a single combined figure.
- Cross-check the figures. The total in Section D must reconcile with the individual section totals. Errors here are the most common reason forms are returned, so it is worth having a second pair of eyes review the arithmetic before you submit anything to the court.
- File the form with the court. Submit the completed certificate to the court handling the assessment. Once the court is satisfied the figures are correct, it will apply its seal and finalise the costs award. Keep a sealed copy for your records and for any downstream claim on public funds.
Common questions
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Common questions
Q What is the difference between EX80A and EX80B?
EX80A is the standard assessment certificate used across civil proceedings funded by legal aid, covering detailed itemised costs. EX80B is used only in family proceedings where a fixed fee arrangement applies instead of a fully itemised bill. The choice depends on the type of case and the funding structure, so it is worth checking the costs order or funding certificate before filing.
Q Who completes the EX80A form?
In practice, the legally aided party's legal representative prepares the form as part of submitting the bill of costs for detailed assessment. It is not something a lay client would usually fill in alone, because the figures come directly from the professional costs draftsman or solicitor's time records. The court then checks and seals the certificate once assessment is complete.
Q What are pre-certificate costs?
Pre-certificate costs are the legal costs incurred before a legal aid certificate was formally granted. They can include work carried out under emergency funding or advance authority, as well as disbursements and VAT that relate to that pre-certificate period. These need to be clearly identified on the form because they may be recoverable from a paying party rather than from the Legal Aid Agency.
Q What is the costs of assessment?
The costs of assessment refers to the legal work involved in preparing the bill of costs and attending the assessment process itself. This includes drafting the bill, dealing with points of dispute, and attending any hearing. These costs are usually recoverable in addition to the underlying legal work and should be shown separately on the certificate.
Q Does the court seal the form?
Yes. Once the assessment has been completed and the figures agreed or determined, the court applies its seal to the certificate. The sealed version is the authoritative document confirming what has been allowed. You will need a sealed copy to enforce any costs order against another party or to claim payment from the Legal Aid Agency.
Q Where can I get the EX80A or EX80B form?
The forms are available directly from the High Court or County Court, and current versions are published on the gov.uk website within the court and tribunal forms section. It is important to use the latest version, because older forms may have been superseded. If in doubt, ask the court office dealing with your case for the correct form to use.
Q What happens if I make a mistake on the form?
Minor errors can usually be corrected and resubmitted, but significant errors may delay the sealing of the certificate and, in turn, delay any payment due. The most common issues are arithmetic errors between sections and missing reference numbers. Taking time to check the form carefully before filing is the simplest way to avoid these problems.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · HMCTSCourt and tribunal forms – gov.ukgov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSCivil Procedure Rules – Costsjustice.gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovLegal Aid Agency – gov.ukgov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure which costs form fits your case?
Legal aid assessment paperwork can be fiddly, and choosing between EX80A and EX80B depends on the type of proceedings and how the funding is structured. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through the process based on what you describe on the call.
- A plain-English walkthrough of how detailed assessment works
- Guidance tailored to what you describe about your case
- Practical perspective on which form is likely to apply
- Clarity on what to prepare before you file
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.