Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Costs Litigation - All Circuits

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Kings Chambers' members are regulars in the appeal courts and its barristers have particular expertise in class action hearings, non-party cost orders, retainer drafting and solicitor/own client disputes, as well as a host of other costs-related areas. They also have significant experience of acting as mediators in complex cost mediations. Recent work carried out by barristers at the set includes Holcroft v Thorneycroft Solicitors Ltd, which concerns the circumstances in which a solicitor may reach a binding agreement with their client for the payment of costs. An interviewee commented: "Everyone we instruct there has a broad base of knowledge and is comfortable dealing with costs issues from Solicitors Act matters to complex high-value commercial cases." Another source stated: "The costs circuit is small, but a good number of the practitioners who excel appear to have found a home at Kings Chambers."

Harry Young is the senior clerk.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Andrew Hogan
1
Band 1

Andrew Hogan is an experienced advocate who represents paying and receiving parties in the County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. His expertise includes litigation funding, qualified one-way costs and Part 36 CPR. He is the author of an authoritative blog regarding the costs sector.

An excellent, thoughtful and effective advocate who is measured and careful.

He has a depth of knowledge and an unflappable, relaxed delivery style which gives reassurance to any client.

Erica Bedford
1
Erica Bedford
1
Band 1

Erica Bedford is an experienced junior barrister with a strong costs practice who regularly appears before the SCCO and Regional Costs Judges, and has handled a number of costs appeals. She represents both paying and receiving parties in solicitor/own client actions, and is also a qualified mediator. She is appointed to sit as a Deputy Costs Judge, and spearheads the Women in Costs foundation.

She has an impressive leadership role in the profession and is a tenacious advocate.

Erica is an extremely persuasive and highly competent advocate, who is extremely responsive and very good with clients in conference.

She is meticulous, forthright and someone who leads the judge well.

Kevin Latham
1
Kevin Latham
1
Band 1

Kevin Latham is an impressive senior junior who undertakes costs, personal injury and clinical negligence cases, and boasts extensive experience in the courtroom. He regularly appears in solicitor/own client disputes, and has handled a number of cases concerning wasted and third-party costs orders. He is recognised for his remarkable skills in the field of fixed costs, and is also an experienced mediator.

Kevin is an exceptional advocate whose expertise is highly valued. We greatly appreciate his commercially sensible advice and the fact that he is extremely responsive when asked for assistance.

The best senior junior costs counsel on the circuit. He's an excellent advocate, who is great with clients.

Kevin's advocacy is brilliant: it is really refreshing and robust.

Craig Ralph
2
Craig Ralph
2
Band 2

Craig Ralph handles costs and litigation funding cases, and has notable experience in costs budgeting, high-value claims and group litigation. Frequently acting in appeals, his varied practice further takes in retainer issues and Part 36 offers, among other areas. He is also a qualified mediator.

Craig is extremely knowledgeable and his advocacy is clear, concise and effective.

He is a magnetic character who gets judges listening.

2
Matthew Smith
2
Band 2

Matthew Smith has wide experience in costs law including costs appeals, group litigations, detailed assessments and cases regarding success fees and solicitor-client disputes. He additionally has significant knowledge of non-contentious costs and issues concerning retainers' contracts. He is also an experienced mediator in this area.

Really pragmatic, incredibly thorough and someone who shows great attention to detail. He handles both defendant and claimant work, meaning that he brings a balanced perspective to any case.

A strong advocate and a real fighter.

Paul Hughes
2
Paul Hughes
2
Band 2

Paul Hughes is a costs and litigation funding practitioner who specialises in procedural law and the costs of actions based on negligence. He is regularly instructed in complex disputes relating to misconduct, wasted costs and non-party costs orders. He has experience of representing clients at all levels, and frequently appears before the Court of Appeal. He is also a CADR-qualified mediator.

A strong advocate, who is very good at explaining to clients the practical concerns of costs.

He's a man who produces excellent written work.

A highly competent advocate who is capable of dealing with a wide variety of instructions. His written advice is of the highest standard.

4
Steven Turner
4
Band 4

Steven Turner has a wide-ranging costs practice, and represents both claimants and defendants, including property developers and solicitors, among many others. He has experience in personal injury costs cases, and his advice is frequently sought in matters involving complex and novel points of law.

He is an excellent advocate and an engaging speaker.

A very persuasive barrister who is easy to listen to - you know exactly what he's saying.

John Meehan
U
John Meehan
U
Up and Coming

As a former solicitor advocate, John Meehan is regularly called upon to appear in the Court of Appeal and the Senior Court Costs Office. He has a varied costs practice, handling detailed assessments, executor renumeration and in particular solicitor-client disputes, in which he specialises in aiding solicitors' firms with costs challenges.

He is personable, sharp, knowledgeable and someone who has a great appreciation of the commercial and practical consequences of issues.

His written and oral advocacy skills are second to none.

John has always delivered measured and considered advice and advocacy. He has an excellent manner with both the judiciary and the lay client.

An advocate who is calm, confident and always well prepared. As a former solicitor, his experience and commercial awareness are incredibly valuable, and he provides well-balanced, pragmatic advice.

John is excellent and really gets into the detail. He deals robustly with difficult opponents and is great at getting the court on side.

Ranked Barristers at
Kings Chambers

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Filter by
Band

Juniors

All Circuits

Costs Litigation

1
Andrew Hogan
1
Band 1
Erica Bedford
1
Erica Bedford
1
Band 1
Kevin Latham
1
Kevin Latham
1
Band 1
Craig Ralph
2
Craig Ralph
2
Band 2
2
Matthew Smith
2
Band 2
Paul Hughes
2
Paul Hughes
2
Band 2
4
Steven Turner
4
Band 4
John Meehan
U
John Meehan
U
Up and Coming