My ex-husband was ordered to pay costs following our divorce, but he has ignored the order, even though he has substantial savings. My solicitors now inform me that their bill will have to go to assessment so they can force him to pay up, which will cost me a further £1,000. I feel completely demoralised.
Under the assessment process the winner’s solicitor prepares a detailed bill setting out how their costs are made up, which is then vetted by a court official or district judge. It sounds as though your ex-husband is not so much ignoring the order as objecting to the amount. Solicitors will often try to agree costs to avoid assessment because of the extra expense involved. If your ex-husband is just being difficult he may be ordered to pay the assessment costs as well unless the amount is reduced substantially.