The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - The Bar > London Bar > Costs

4 New Square is 'a go-to set for all matter of costs'. Its members' litigation and advisory work spans from solicitor-client matters to public funding disputes and leading mass consumer class actions. Examples of the latter are Nicholas Bacon QC's Merricks v Mastercard case, the first of its kind before English courts, and the Volkswagen emissions litigation, where he also acted together with leading junior Shail Patel. Benjamin Williams QC was involved in a number of personal-injury-related costs cases on the issue of the new Qualified One Way Costs Shifting regime. New silk Roger Mallalieu QC has successfully acted on Cham v Aldred, a case now with a pending application to appeal to the Supreme Court, concerning counsels’ fees for approval hearings in fixed costs cases. Also of note, the set provides a highly appreciated costs training and networking programme for solicitors which is 'one of the most interesting and thought-provoking events around'.

Hailsham Chambers is an 'established and highly reputable' set whose strong members are often specifically hired for dealing with technical and complex issues arising from high-value clinical negligence costs disputes. Mark Friston has 'encyclopedic knowledge of litigation funding' and is a leading contributor to the costs law literature. Alexander Hutton QC advised a group of Lloyds’ shareholders on funding and cost management issues of a claim for losses brought against Lloyd’s Bank following its acquisition of Halifax Bank of Scotland (Sharp v Blank.) Jamie Carpenter QC, who was appointed silk in March 2020, is involved in several solicitor-client disputes. Clients of the set also note that its summer training course 'is a must for anyone in costs'.

39 Essex Chambers is a 'well-organised' and 'universally good-natured' set with highly recognised members in the costs market. One of them is Peter Hurst, who sits at the head of the team, followed by leading junior Judith Ayling, whose practice in costs budgeting issues generating from personal injury and clinical negligence claims is highly regarded; she is also recognised for her contribution to the UK Trucks Claim Limited v Fiat ChryslerAutomobile case. In February 2020, the junior end of the team was further strengthened with the addition of Shaman Kapoor, who joined from Temple Garden Chambers.

Praised for being 'efficient' and for its 'personal service', Temple Garden Chambers has been providing 'consistent quality throughout the years'. The set's major strength in relation to the recovery of after the event (ATE) legal expenses insurance premiums, an area in which both James Laughland and Matthew Waszak excel. Simon Browne QC stands out for his involvement in Iraqi Civilians v Ministry of Defence in relation to the costs consequences of the claims brought by Iraqi civilians over the conduct of soldiers during the invasion of the country. Also of note, Mark James' practice around client-solicitor and barrister-solicitor disputes is highly regarded, while parties gain from Richard Wilkinson's 'practical and contemporary experience as a practising and experienced member of the personal injury Bar'.