In-house drafting
- ✕Limited by staff capacity
- ✕Expensive to scale
- ✕Creates internal bottlenecks
- ✕Slows down case throughput
Bills of Costs Drafting Platform
Cost draft
80% faster.
Most firms hit a limit on how many cases they can process. Not because of demand. Because of cost drafting.
Automate Legal gives you the capacity to process more cases without additional hiring or outsourcing.
"We now do in 5 minutes what used to take weeks."
Cost Draftsman, Automate Legal early access team
+38%
Bills produced per monthvs same period prior quarter
97%
Team consistency scoreAcross all fee earners
Structured drafting environmentEvery bill built the same way
Court-compliant exportReady to serve, no post-processing
Remove your capacity ceiling
No extra hiring or outsourcing
Process more cases today
4% of recoverable costs
AI optional, always human-reviewed
The Problem
Your growth is being
limited, not by demand,
but by capacity.
You already have the work. But you can't always process it efficiently because:
- Drafting takes too long
- Staff are stretched
- External firms slow things down
- Internal teams become bottlenecks
The result? Cases take longer. Capacity stalls. Growth slows.
Do you have cash flow tied up in a backlog?
See the SolutionWhat Automate Legal directly changes
Before
After
Drafting takes too long - cases queue up
Cases processed significantly faster - backlog reduces
Teams hit capacity - volume can't grow
Same team handles higher volumes without extra headcount
Output varies between fee earners - rework follows
Structured process produces consistent output every time
Knowledge locked in individuals - hard to scale or cover
Process lives in the platform - not in one person's head
01
In-House Drafting Has a Ceiling
Limited by staff capacity. Expensive to scale. Creates internal bottlenecks. Slows down case throughput. The more work comes in, the harder it gets to keep up.
02
External Drafting Removes Control
Adds delays. Removes visibility. Does not increase your internal capability. External cost drafting protects their business - not yours.
03
Rework Compounds the Problem
Inconsistent output across fee earners means corrections at review, challenges at assessment, and time spent fixing rather than billing. The backlog grows while the team firefights.
04
Cash Flow Suffers
Billable work sits in a queue, waiting to be processed. Recoverable costs are ready but not recovered. The longer cases take, the longer your cash flow waits.
05
Compliance Gaps Appear Under Pressure
When teams are stretched, accuracy suffers. Compliance gaps lead to challenges at assessment and reductions that could have been avoided with a more structured process.
06
No Visibility Means No Control
Managers cannot see where matters stand or where bottlenecks are forming. Decisions are reactive. Problems are discovered at the end, not caught at the start.
CostDraft Platform
Increase capacity
without hiring
or outsourcing.
Automate Legal allows you to:
✓Process more cases with your existing team
✓Remove drafting bottlenecks
✓Keep control of your work
✓Protect your margins
This isn't about working faster. It's about removing the constraint that limits your growth.
01
Structured Matter Setup
Define phases, parties, fee earners and rate schedules once. The structure is applied automatically - no rebuilding from scratch on each new matter.
02
Guided Drafting Environment
Work through the bill phase by phase. Time entries, disbursements, and narrative are always organised correctly - no freeform documents.
03
Built-In Compliance Checks
Guideline rate compliance, narrative structure, and court requirements are checked automatically. Issues flagged before the bill leaves your desk.
04
Court-Ready Export
Generate a court-compliant, formatted Bill of Costs ready to serve. No reformatting. No post-processing. No last-minute corrections.
Structured Drafting
Every bill built in a guided environment. Structure always correct - phases, parties, and entries organised systematically.
Reusable Data & Logic
Rate schedules, matter structures, and standard entries captured once and reused across every matter.
Team Consistency
Every draftsman produces work to the same standard. Predictable, defensible output regardless of who drafted it.
Quality Control
Compliance checks embedded in the platform. Catch errors, guideline rate issues, and gaps before the bill goes out.
Court-Ready Export
Generate compliant, formatted Bills of Costs ready for service. No post-processing, no reformatting.
Manager Visibility
Real-time view of all active matters, team workload, and output metrics. Strategic oversight, not reactive firefighting.
Process
Built around how
your team already works.
AI is introduced in a controlled way - supporting your team's judgement, not replacing it. Your workflow, your control, your outcome.
-
Upload Your Case File
Upload your case file and existing documentation. Automate Legal extracts key data, parties, fee earners, and matter structure - no manual re-entry.
-
02
Extract Key Data and Time Entries
Key data and time entries are extracted and structured automatically in line with court and compliance requirements, ready for drafting.
-
03
Generate Structured Drafts
Automate Legal generates a structured, compliant draft bill. Your team reviews, refines, and approves - full control remains with your draftsmen throughout.
-
04
Review, Refine & Serve
Final review and approval by your team. Court-compliant output ready for service - no reformatting, no last-minute corrections.
New Matter Setup
Matter Ref
ABC/2024/089
Court
High Court
Type
Personal Injury
Phases
7 configured
Template applied
Standard PI Bill - High Court
Drafting Time Entries
Phase 3 · CMC
Compliance Review
✓
Guideline rate compliance - All phases pass
✓
Narrative structure - Meets court requirements
⚠
1 entry flagged for narrative review
✓
Disbursements - All receipts attached
Export Complete
Bill of Costs - Ready
Smith v ABC Co Ltd · Phases 1–3 · Total: £42,180
Includes:
✓ Court-formatted Bill of Costs
✓ Precedent H cost budget
✓ N260 Statement of Costs
Real-World Impact
What changes when
capacity is no longer
a constraint.
Increase Drafting Speed
Structured workflows and automated data extraction mean your team produces more, faster - without cutting corners or working longer hours.
Maintain Consistency Across Cases
Every fee earner works to the same standard. Predictable, compliant output on every matter - regardless of who drafted it.
Increased Billing Potential
More cases processed means more costs recovered. The ceiling on your billing capacity rises without a proportional rise in cost.
Reduced Dependency on External Firms
Less reliance on third parties means more control, better margins, and faster turnaround. The work stays inside your firm where it belongs.
Firms that increase capacity grow. Firms that do not fall behind.
Optional Enhancement
Start manual.
Introduce AI
when you're ready.
Automate Legal is designed to work with your existing team - not replace it. AI is introduced in a controlled, optional way: helping your team move faster and maintain accuracy while keeping full judgement and control with your draftsmen.
Narrative Drafting Assistance
AI suggests narrative language for standard time entries. Your draftsman reviews and approves every suggestion before it enters the bill.
Entry Categorisation
Automatically classifies time entries by phase and task. Your draftsman confirms - AI handles the groundwork.
Inconsistency Flagging
Identifies inconsistencies across matter entries before the bill goes out. AI flags - you decide what to do.
AI Suggestions - Phase 3 · CMC
AI Suggestion
Entry 7 of 14
Suggested narrative: "Attendance at Case Management Conference; reviewing directions made including disclosure schedule, witness statement exchange dates, and expert evidence directions."
AI Suggestion
Entry 9 of 14
Suggested narrative: "Preparation of CMC bundle including chronology, list of issues, and costs budget; liaising with counsel regarding skeleton argument."
AI usage is optional. Every suggestion requires draftsman approval. The platform works fully without it enabled.
Pricing
Aligned with how
firms already pay.
Cost drafting services typically charge 5-6% of recoverable costs, often with minimum charges. Automate Legal follows similar commercial principles - but enables your team to deliver the same outcome faster, with greater control and visibility. At 4% with a £50 minimum, the model is familiar. The difference is where the work happens and who stays in control.
No new commercial model to learn. No unfamiliar structure. Just better output, faster delivery, and more control - at a rate your firm already understands.
Discuss Pricing4% of Recoverable Costs
4% of recoverable costs, £50 minimum on Legal Aid fixed fee matters. In line with or below what most firms already pay externally.
Keeps Work Inside the Firm
Your team does the work. Your firm keeps the fee. Automate Legal gives them the tools to do it faster and more consistently than before.
Custom Plans for Larger Firms
High-volume practices and enterprise teams can discuss bespoke arrangements. Get in touch to explore what works for your firm.
Who It's For
Your current options
are holding you back.
Whether you draft in-house or use external firms, both options come with a ceiling. Automate Legal is the third option.
External cost drafting
- ✕Removes control
- ✕Adds delays
- ✕Doesn't increase your internal capability
External cost drafting protects their business - not yours.
Automate Legal
- ✓Process more cases with your existing team
- ✓Remove drafting bottlenecks
- ✓Keep control of your work
- ✓Protect your margins
Latest News
From the
Automate Legal team.
Common Questions
Everything you need
to know.
22 questions answered - from platform basics to data security, pricing and getting started.
What is Automate Legal?
Automate Legal is a professional legal cost drafting platform built for law firms and cost drafting teams. It combines structured workflows with proprietary technology to help teams prepare, validate and manage bills of costs more efficiently, accurately and compliantly.
Automate Legal consists of Automate Legal Core for structured manual drafting and CostDraft AI - an optional AI layer for teams that want intelligent automation and validation on top of the core platform.
How does Automate Legal work?
Users input case data into Automate Legal Core, which structures the information in line with court and procedural requirements. The platform applies firm policies, compliance logic and established cost drafting standards throughout the drafting process.
If CostDraft AI is optionally enabled, the AI engine can analyse case data and assist in generating and validating the bill. All AI outputs are reviewed and approved by your draftsmen before anything is finalised.
Can the platform generate bills of costs automatically?
Yes - if CostDraft AI is enabled, Automate Legal can assist in generating draft bills of costs based on uploaded case data. Users remain fully in control. Legal professionals review, amend and approve all outputs before finalisation. The platform also works fully without AI enabled - many firms use Automate Legal Core as a structured manual drafting environment.
What types of matters does Automate Legal support?
Automate Legal supports Legal Aid matters, Court of Protection cases, Inter Partes litigation, and cost budgeting and assessment preparation. Additional modules are continuously being developed.
Does it support Precedent H, Precedent S and other standard formats?
Yes. Automate Legal supports Precedent H, Precedent S and other recognised cost budgeting and bill formats. The platform is built to align with standard court templates and structured electronic bill requirements.
Can I collaborate with colleagues on the same file?
Yes. Automate Legal supports team collaboration, allowing multiple authorised users to access and work on the same matter. Role-based permissions ensure users only see and edit what they are authorised to. This supports modern hybrid and distributed legal teams.
Does Automate Legal integrate with other tools?
We support integrations with leading legal practice management tools, allowing you to import data directly. We can integrate via API with selected case management systems where supported. Integration discussions form part of onboarding for enterprise customers.
Is Automate Legal replacing cost drafters?
No. Automate Legal is built to enhance and empower cost professionals, not replace them. It removes repetitive manual workload so experienced draftsmen can focus on expertise, strategy and client value.
How is Automate Legal different from traditional cost drafting software?
Traditional tools focus on structured data entry. Automate Legal combines a structured drafting environment with built-in compliance validation and - optionally - AI-driven automation. It is a platform designed around how cost teams actually work, with consistency, reusability and quality control at its core.
Can Automate Legal help reduce write-offs or assessment reductions?
Automate Legal's validation logic and compliance structure aim to reduce technical errors and inconsistencies that lead to challenges or reductions at assessment. While no system can guarantee outcomes, Automate Legal significantly strengthens drafting quality and defensibility.
Do I need technical skills to use it?
Not at all. Automate Legal is designed to be intuitive and most users are up and running within minutes.
Is the platform compliant with court rules and cost drafting standards?
Yes. Automate Legal is built around UK court rules, SCCO guidance and established cost drafting standards. The system follows procedural rules and formatting requirements relevant to Legal Aid, Court of Protection and Inter Partes matters.
Compliance is embedded into the structure of the platform and its validation engine - not an afterthought.
Where is my data stored? Is Automate Legal GDPR compliant?
Your data is stored on secure, UK-based Microsoft Azure infrastructure in support of compliance with GDPR and legal sector expectations. Automate Legal is designed in line with UK GDPR principles, including data minimisation, encryption and strict access controls.
Who has access to my data?
Only authorised users within your organisation can access your data. Automate Legal does not access client data unless explicitly required for support and with appropriate permissions. Data is logically segregated between firms to ensure strict isolation.
Is my data secure?
Yes. Security is fundamental to Automate Legal's design. We use Microsoft Azure UK infrastructure, encryption at rest and in transit, role-based access control, multi-factor authentication, and secure tenant isolation. We are building in line with ISO 27001 standards and legal sector security expectations.
Are you using our information to improve Automate Legal?
We do not use client data to train AI models. Any product improvements are based on anonymised, aggregated insights or structured system feedback - never confidential client information. Your data remains your data.
Who can use Automate Legal?
Automate Legal is designed for law firms, cost drafting firms, in-house legal teams, Legal Aid practitioners, Court of Protection specialists, and Inter Partes teams. Any organisation involved in preparing, reviewing or managing bills of costs can benefit from Automate Legal.
Do you offer monthly or annual plans?
Yes. We offer both monthly and annual subscription options. Annual plans typically provide commercial advantages.
Automate Legal is priced at 4% of recoverable costs, with a £50 minimum on Legal Aid fixed fee matters. Both monthly and annual plans are available. Annual plans offer commercial advantages. Custom arrangements are available for larger firms.
Do you offer a free trial?
Yes. We offer structured trial access so firms can test Automate Legal using real cases in a controlled environment. Our team supports onboarding to ensure you see value quickly.
How long does implementation take?
Most firms can be onboarded within days. Larger enterprise implementations with integrations may take longer depending on scope.
Why should I change from how I am currently working?
Traditional cost drafting methods are time-intensive, manual and vulnerable to human error. Automate Legal enables faster drafting, reduced rework and corrections, improved compliance confidence, increased capacity without increasing headcount, and greater commercial visibility over case value.
It allows experienced cost professionals to focus on judgment and strategy rather than repetitive manual formatting.
Can I see a demo?
Yes. We offer live demonstrations tailored to your practice area so you can see exactly how Automate Legal works with real-world scenarios. Book a demo here.
Built for Compliance-First Environments
Every safeguard you
need. Already built in.
Full Auditability
Complete visibility and audit trail across every matter and every action.
Human Review Always in Control
AI assists and suggests. Your draftsmen review and approve. Always.
UK GDPR Compliant
Data stored on UK-based Microsoft Azure infrastructure. Built to UK GDPR principles.
Designed for Real Legal Workflows
Built around SCCO guidance, UK court rules, and established cost drafting standards.
Get Started
See it work on
your own case file.
Don't rely on claims. Bring a real case file. We'll run it live and show you exactly how Automate Legal works in practice.
No commitment. We'll be in touch within one business day.
30-minute demo · No commitment · For cost team leads and practice managers