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Budgets would be useful if they were broad brush and considered to be no more than approximations of what that party estimated would be the cost to his client. The purpose, to warn his opponent what he might have to pay if he loses, would be served. The detail that the new rules require parties to go into invites exaggeration, fabrication and fraud. Costs budgetting as it is now needlessly takes up valuable fee earner and judicial time. Limit budgets to 2 pages of A4.

Then at the other end of the process, introduce a simplified form of detailed assessment. At least with DA you know what you're claiming for as receiver or what to attack if you're the paying party.