---
title: "Update the costs disclosure after a significant change to the estimate"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/update-the-costs-disclosure-after-a-significant-change-to-the-estimate"
type: "task"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A42-PE20261022-1"
practice_area: "Costs, billing & litigation funding"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Update the costs disclosure after a significant change to the estimate

> From the current disclosure, the revised scope and the time records the lawyer marks, list each change in the work, the previous estimate and the new estimate, and the points the client needs in order to decide how the…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/update-the-costs-disclosure-after-a-significant-change-to-the-estimate  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Costs, billing & litigation funding](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | From the current disclosure, the revised scope and the time records the lawyer marks, list each change in the work, the previous estimate and the new estimate, and the points the client needs in order to decide how the matter continues. The tool does not send the update. |
| What the lawyer must review | The lawyer decides whether the change is a significant change under section 174(1)(b), writes the update, includes a sufficient explanation of the impact on the costs payable, and takes reasonable steps to be satisfied the client has understood and consented. |
| Written for / versions | 1 jurisdiction versions below |

## Checking plan

**Source-by-source verification**

Trace relied-on content to independent sources and check for relevant material the output has missed.

- What the AI does: From the current disclosure, the revised scope and the time records the lawyer marks, list each change in the work, the previous estimate and the new estimate, and the points the client needs in order to decide how the matter continues. The tool does not send the update.
- What the lawyer does: The lawyer decides whether the change is a significant change under section 174(1)(b), writes the update, includes a sufficient explanation of the impact on the costs payable, and takes reasonable steps to be satisfied the client has understood and consented.
- Who reviews: Responsible lawyer with competence in the matter
- Basis: Practical workflow informed by the linked primary sources; the traffic light and working checks are editorial guidance, not a court classification.
- Why: The level reflects what the work is, the consequence of an error, and how much of the output the lawyer must independently re-derive.

## Checks the lawyer makes

1. Compare the new estimate with the last written disclosure, excluding GST and disbursements when testing the thresholds.
2. Confirm the update explains the impact on the costs payable, not only the new total.
3. Confirm the update is in writing and is sent when or as soon as practicable after the change.
4. In Queensland, use the substantial-change test in section 315 rather than the Uniform Law wording.

## Notes

- These are suggested working checks. Confirm the required checking with the responsible lawyer before work starts; the checking approach does not establish permission to use AI.

## Sources

- [Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) s 174, disclosure obligations](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/lpul333/s174.html) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 (NSW), compilation in force at 28 February 2025, rr 71, 72, 72A, 72B, 74 and 75](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/2025-02-28/sl-2015-0246) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) s 315, ongoing obligation to disclose](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/lpa2007179/s315.html) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) s 308, detailed disclosure of costs](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/lpa2007179/s308.html) (checked 2026-10-22)

## Jurisdiction versions

| Jurisdiction | Level |
| --- | --- |
| [United States](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/update-the-costs-disclosure-after-a-significant-change-to-the-estimate/united-states.md) | Yellow |

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*