Free Traffic Legal Advice

No. The only reason I advise everyone to CC themselves when sending emails to an adversary, is so that you can show that the email was sent and also received back. It also shows on the recipients email headers that a copy was also CC'd back to the sender. They cannot later turn around and say that they never received when you have evidence that it was sent.

DCB Legal offering you £60 is a sign they know they're on the back foot. They started at £20, which was laughable, and now they've upped it to £60 because they can see you’re serious and the court is taking this seriously too.

Let’s be honest: they are trying to extract the urine. They know they’re going to get a spanking in court for failing to notify you properly and for wasting your time. Now they’re trying to wriggle out of paying you what you’re actually owed.

You’ve claimed £104.50, and it’s a solid, reasonable claim. If you go to the hearing, you could also ask for extra costs like travel and time off work to attend the hearing, which would increase the total even more.

So you’ve got three choices:

1. Take the £60 – it ends things now, but you’re letting them off lightly. Only do this if you just want it over with.
2. Make a counter-offer – say you’ll take £90 to settle. That still avoids the hearing but makes it clear you're not going to be messed about.
3. Go to the hearing – you’ve got a strong case, and if the judge agrees with you (which seems likely), you could get the full amount plus more. And frankly, they deserve to be dragged in front of a judge for the way they’ve handled this.

Whatever you decide, don’t let them pressure you. You’ve done nothing wrong, and the court has already backed you by listing the hearing. They’re only making offers because they know they’ve screwed up.

Let us know what you want to do.

Subject: Re: [Claim Number] – Costs Hearing

Dear Sirs,

I note your recent correspondence and the suggestion that this matter might be resolved without a hearing.

For clarity, I have made no change to my position. My claim for costs in the sum of £104.50 remains, and I consider this a modest and reasonable amount in light of the time, inconvenience, and stress caused by the failure to notify me of the Claimant’s discontinuance.

I remain willing to engage with any genuine and proportionate attempt to resolve this matter. However, I will not accept a settlement that fails to reflect the costs I have incurred as a result of the Claimant’s conduct.

If no agreement is reached before the hearing, I will attend as listed and also seek additional costs under CPR 27.14(3) relating to travel and loss of earnings.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]

It is without prejudice, so they can't use it in court. Only after the judge has decided the case, can he refer to any costs.

You already responded once to their first offer. You are within your rights to pursue the full £104.50, and the court listing shows that the judge already views your claim as arguable.

Here is a response you can make. It is deliberately not marked "without prejudice", does not disclose the content of their offer, and is written so that you can show it to the judge if needed to demonstrate your reasonableness and resolve:

Quote

Subject: Re: [Claim Number] – Costs Hearing

Dear Sirs,

I note your recent correspondence and the suggestion that this matter might be resolved without a hearing.

For clarity, I have made no change to my position. My claim for costs in the sum of £104.50 remains, and I consider this a modest and reasonable amount in light of the time, inconvenience, and stress caused by the failure to notify me of the Claimant’s discontinuance.

I remain willing to engage with any genuine and proportionate attempt to resolve this matter. However, I will not accept a settlement that fails to reflect the costs I have incurred as a result of the Claimant’s conduct.

If no agreement is reached before the hearing, I will attend as listed and also seek additional costs under CPR 27.14(3) relating to travel and loss of earnings.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]

Keep turning the screws.

You can just ignore it or have fun with their puny minds and reply saying that the original amount is not sufficient anymore as you've now had to expend even more time and effort dealing with their pathetic attempts to wriggle out of their responsibilities and the amount you will be seeking in full and final settlement is now £200 (or whatever sum you think is reasonable for your endeavours).

Here is a suggested response:

Quote

Subject: Re: [Claim Number] – Costs Hearing

Dear Sirs,

I note your latest correspondence and purported offer. Unfortunately, due to the further time and effort I have now had to spend responding to your repeated, inadequate proposals and unnecessary correspondence, my position has changed.

The amount of £104.50 initially claimed is no longer sufficient to cover the total costs I have now incurred as a direct result of your client’s conduct, and I will be amending my costs schedule to reflect this. I will now be seeking £200 in full and final settlement, which represents the total time, effort, and expense incurred in this matter, including preparation for the upcoming hearing.

This revised figure is not a negotiating position. It is a final opportunity to resolve the matter without further cost or inconvenience. If this is not agreed within 7 days, I will proceed to the hearing and seek the full amount, plus any further expenses incurred in attending.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]

Notes:

• It’s not marked “without prejudice” so you can show it to the judge.
• It justifies the higher amount — not as punishment, but as compensation for further time spent.
• It makes you look assertive, but not unreasonable.
• It turns the tables — you are now making the final offer.

Let me know if you’d like to attach a revised costs breakdown or want to prepare a short addendum to your statement to reflect the increased claim.

Considering I'm doing most of your legwork, maybe you shouldn't.