The recoverability and assessment of Medical Reporting Organisation Fees

The judgement in JXX (a Protected Party by his Litigation Friend ABB) v Scott Archibald [2026] EWHC 630 (SCCO) handed down on the 17th March provides greater clarity on the recoverability and assessment of Medical Reporting Organisation (MRO) Fees.

Whilst the case focussed on MROs, this has wider applicability to any Expert Witness Agency/Panel.

The judgement (which can be access below) confirmed that:

• MRO fees are recoverable in principle as disbursements with their work being likened to the work of solicitors.
• The “Stringer” cap does not apply.
• There is no requirement for solicitor-style breakdowns.
• Deferred payment and write-offs are not irrecoverable funding costs.
• Fees should be assessed globally for reasonableness, not deconstructed.

We will be writing a more detailed case update over the coming weeks.