Lawyers received a surprise new year fillip with the announcement that guideline hourly rates for civil costs have risen by around 2.3%.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service announced yesterday that rates will increase immediately across the board – the third year in a row that there has been an uplift.

Grade A fee-earners in central London can now expect to receive £579, an increase of 2.3%. The GHR for Grade B fee-earners in London is £393, Grade C is £305 and Grade D £210.

National rates have all risen by at least 2%, with all Grade C fee-earners