The bill of costs should be prepared in accordance with the model form set out in the Part 47 Practice Direction except where the short form bill (described below) is appropriate. From 1 April 2018 bills in relation to COP cases MUST not be filed electronically and will continue to be prepared in accordance with the model form referred to above. The bill should state the correct title of the matter, the name and address, telephone number and reference of the professional deputy. The bill should list each chargeable item of work in chronological order with dates. It should also show any relevant events, even if it does not constitute a chargeable item. If the bill is for general management, it should state the year covered (e.g. from 21 December 2015 to 20 December 2016).

Where the amount of the bill does not exceed £3,000 excluding VAT and disbursements, professional deputies may request the SCCO to assess the costs using a short form bill. The procedure is the same as that for an application for detailed assessment except that professional deputies may use a simplified form of bill which will not require the services of a costs draftsman or costs lawyer. The costs of drawing a long form bill will not usually be recoverable in cases where a short form bill is appropriate. (For a copy of the model short form bill see Appendix AA).

Extract from the Senior Courts Costs Office Guide 2018