Costs
UK-wide
3 years ranked
INDIVIDUAL PROFILE
Tom Blackburn
Litigation Support 2026
Ranked in 1 practice area
About
Provided by Hugh James
Practice Areas
Costs Litigation
Bill Drafting
Budget Drafting
Third Party Funding advice
Group Actions
Advocacy (Detailed Assessments, CCMCs)
Mediation
Personal
Tom is a costs specialist. Tom began working in costs litigation in 2003 and after being made a Director of the largest costs-only firm in 2012, he was made a partner in a top-25 UK firm in 2015. He and his team merged with Croft Solicitors in 2019.
Tom has represented clients in all levels of the courts, including the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. In 2009, he represented Total in the Buncefield Oil Explosion case in which the costs disputes exceeded £100m. Tom has successfully represented two Claimants in precedent-making decisions. Tom’s considerable experience along with his excellent commercial awareness make him an exceptionally respected costs expert. He is instructed by high-net-worth individuals, finance institutions, Top 100 law firms, Peers of the Realm and FTSE 100 companies.
Tom is particularly recognised for handling complex and high value costs cases, including large group actions such as the Visa/Mastercard case, the Trucking Cartel action and the VW emissions group action.
Tom has been described as “the only costs/funding expert to instruct” and by a High Court Judge as “forceful, methodical and meticulous”.
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Professional Advisers: Litigation Support
Costs - UK-wide
Band 2
Individual Editorial
Tom Blackburn is a highly experienced costs litigation specialist. He has significant expertise in costs and litigation funding, and regularly advises on costs relating to major group actions backed by litigation funding. Blackburn joined Hugh James in April 2026 as head of costs.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Tom Blackburn goes above and beyond. He is the most commercially strategic person I have ever come across. He is someone you would trust to get the job done but get the best out of any situation. He will fight the client's corner.
CostsProfessional Advisers: Litigation SupportTom Blackburn has first-class knowledge in his specialised area of legal costs.
CostsProfessional Advisers: Litigation SupportTom Blackburn is savvy, commercially aware and gets great results. He knows what his clients want and how to achieve it. He is a technically brilliant costs lawyer.
CostsProfessional Advisers: Litigation Support
Ranked Individuals at Hugh James (1)
UK-wide
Tom Blackburn
Costs
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