Costs Litigation | UK Bar

4 New Square Chambers has expert practitioners at both silk and junior level. Its members handle the leading costs matters, as evidenced by their involvement in Belsner v Cam Legal, which was dubbed 'the costs case of the decade'. This year, members are involved in high-profile matters including Ivanishvili v Signature Litigation and Menzies v Oakwood Solicitors. Individuals often handle group litigation costs matters, inter partes cases and solicitor-client disputes, and routinely appear before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Further capabilities include the drafting of conditional and contingency fee agreements. A source remarked: "The team at 4 New Square has strong juniors as well as established King's Counsel." Similarly, another instructing solicitor stated: "4 New Square has formidable expertise across every aspect of the costs and litigation funding area."

Lizzy Stewart is the senior clerk.

Home to a number of leading lights in the costs litigation field, Hailsham Chambers handles the full range of costs cases covering such matters as changes in funding, Part 36 offers, proportionality and non-party costs orders. Recent work undertaken by members of the set includes Topalsson v CMS, a complicated solicitor-client assessment and CICC v Mastercard and Visa, which concerns unfair and unreasonable fees. An instructing solicitor remarks that Hailsham "boasts a number of leading specialists on costs and funding issues, who frequently appear on both sides of landmark cases." Another source stresses the set's "great depth of advocates, from top-notch KCs to junior barristers."

Stephen Smith is the senior clerk.

The barristers at 39 Essex Chambers receive plaudits for the depth of their knowledge in costs matters. Members here act in solicitor-client disputes, and are experts in detailed cost assessments involving group action litigation, clinical negligence and personal injury claims. Members continue to advise on costs issues in high-profile cases such as a group action claim against Rugby Football Union, regarding the duty of care owed by sport regulators, and Arcadia Energy Suisse v Jones Day, which involved a fee dispute. One interviewee commented: "39 Essex Chambers consistently demonstrates exceptional ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters, particularly in costs litigation. Their barristers possess in-depth legal knowledge and strategic acumen, offering clear, pragmatic solutions in highly intricate cases."

Jamie Tucker is the senior practice manager.

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.

Members of 12 King's Bench Walk are routinely instructed in a wide range of costs claims, arising out of clinical negligence, government litigation, professional negligence, personal injury and solicitor-client disputes. The costs team has experience appearing in the Senior Courts Costs Office, as well as the High Court and Court of Appeal. The set is praised as a "go-to chambers that makes me confident in its advice." Recent work for the set includes acting for Amazon in Riefa v Apple, Amazon, regarding an alleged claim that Apple and Amazon secretly colluded to inflate prices for Apple and Beats products.

Oliver Parkhouse is the director of clerking.

Gatehouse Chambers houses expert costs barristers who routinely act in high-profile appellate cases and appear in both the High Court and Supreme Court. Members handle applications for security for costs, wasted costs and non-party costs orders, as well as professional negligence claims. One source comments that "Gatehouse Chambers has highly rated and well-regarded costs experts." The barristers at Gatehouse have recently appeared in Vardy v Rooney, which concerns the costs bill of Mrs Rooney following her successful libel claim against Mrs Vardy.

Elliot Langdorf is the practice director.

Landmark Chambers' practitioners regularly appear in major costs cases, including those before the SCCO, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Recent matters include acting for Nissan in the Pan NOx Emissions Litigations, which concerns the mis-selling of diesel vehicles. The set's members handle a range of matters involving wasted costs, security for costs applications and detailed assessments. They also tackle solicitors’ liens and advise in relation to the Solicitors Act. An interviewee remarks that the barristers at Landmark Chambers "show good attention to detail, have good advocacy skills and possess an understanding of the law in lots of different areas."

Mark Ball is the senior clerk.