http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/47/section/64Solicitors Act 1974An Act to consolidate the Solicitors Acts 1957 to 1974 and certain other enactments relating to solicitors.1979-01-01texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-05-14Expert Participation2025-01-01 Part III641Where the remuneration of a solicitor in respect of contentious business done by him is not the subject of a contentious business agreement, then, subject to subsections (2) to (4), the solicitor’s bill of costs may at the option of the solicitor be either a bill containing detailed items or a gross sum bill.2The party chargeable with a gross sum bill may at any time—abefore he is served with a writ or other originating process for the recovery of costs included in the bill, andbbefore the expiration of three months from the date on which the bill was delivered to him,require the solicitor to deliver, in lieu of that bill, a bill containing detailed items; and on such a requirement being made the gross sum bill shall be of no effect.3Where an action is commenced on a gross sum bill, the court shall, if so requested by the party chargeable with the bill before the expiration of one month from the service on that party of the writ or other originating process, order that the bill be assessed.4If a gross sum bill is assessed, whether under this section or otherwise, nothing in this section shall prejudice any rules of court with respect to assessment, and the solicitor shall furnish the costs officer with such details of any of the costs covered by the bill as the costs officer may require.S. 64 extended (1.1.1992) by Administration of Justice Act 1985 (c. 61, SIF 34), s. 9, Sch. 2 para. 22(2); S.I. 1991/2683, art. 2 S.64 extended (22.5.2000) by S.I. 2000/1119, regs. 1, 37(3), Sch. 4 para. 7(2)Word in s. 64(3) substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 60(a) (ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(f)(ii) (with art. 9)Word in s. 64(4) substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 60(b)(i) (ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(f)(ii) (with art. 9)Word in s. 64(4) substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 60(b)(ii) (ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(f)(ii) (with art. 9)Words in s. 64(4) substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 60(b)(iii) (ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(f)(ii) (with art. 9)Ss. 64-67 applied (with modifications) (23.12.2011) by The Legal Services Act 2007 (Designation as a Licensing Authority) (No. 2) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2866), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 paras. 1, 3, 5