‘Whether the issue concerns cost budgeting, security for costs, complex funding arrangements, or non-party costs orders', 4 New Square Chambers is 'the go-to set for anything within the costs and litigation funding sphere.’ Leading the costs teams in respect of six of fifteen different vehicle manufacturers, Nicholas Bacon KC is acting one of the largest group actions currently in the commercial court, the £6bn Dieselgate claim. Benjamin Williams KC is advising Apple concerning a major opt-out class action with complex funding issues now on appeal in the Court of Appeal. Robert Marven KC appeared in Thomson Snell & Passmore LLP v Kenig, a Court of Appeal case of importance to estate practitioners as the decision examined the rights of non-clients to assess a solicitor’s bill under the Solicitors Act 1974 section 71(3). Roger Mallalieu KC and Shail Patel KC are instructed to defend Igor Kolomoisky from a £10m costs claim.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Position
Robert Marven is a specialist in all areas of costs law. He is also an expert on the law concerning the funding of litigation. He has been instructed in a range of high profile cases in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Senior Courts Costs Office and the County Court. Robert also has considerable experience in mediating costs and related disputes both as a representative and as a mediator. Robert’s practice includes: costs issues arising from high value litigation; conditional fee agreements and contingency fee agreements; commercial funding for substantial disputes; costs budgeting and funding for major group litigation; legal expenses insurance and ‘after the event’ insurance; fixed costs; costs budgets and estimates; costs capping; as well as wasted and non-party costs orders. Robert acts for a wide range of clients including PLCs and public bodies, solicitors, major insurers, funders, claims management companies and individuals. He is often brought into major litigation to advise and to present submissions on specific costs issues. Robert provides strategic advice on matters of commercial importance to insurers, solicitors and others involved with the management and funding of litigation. His cases include: Davey v Money [2019] Costs LR 399; JLE (A Child) v Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Kupeli v Cyprus Turkish Airlines & Atlasjet [2018] 4 All ER 434; Hanley v JC&A Solicitors [2018] 4 Costs LR 693; Parvez v Mooney Everett Solicitors Ltd [2018] 1 Costs LO 125; Surrey v Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust [2018] 1 WLR 5831; Plevin v Paragon Personal Finance Ltd (No 2) [2017] 1 WLR 1249; EMW v Halborg [2018] 1 WLR 52; Harrison v Eversheds LLP [2017] 5 Costs LR 931; Cashman v Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust [2015] 3 Costs LO 411; Broni v Ministry of Defence [2015] 1 Costs LR 111; Tasleem v Beverley [2014] 1 WLR 3567; Ultimate Products Ltd v Woolley [2014] 5 Costs LO 787 and [2014] EWHC 1919 (Ch); Light on Line Ltd v Zumtobel Lighting Ltd [2013] 1 Costs LR 129; Letts v Royal Sun Alliance plc [2012] 3 Costs LR 591; Joyce v West Bus Coach Services Ltd [2012] 3 Costs LR 540; Legal Services Commission v F [2011] 5 Costs LR 740; Rybak v Langbar International Ltd [2011] PNLR 16; Sulaman v Axa and Direct Line [2010] 3 Costs LR 391; Tankard v John Fredericks Plastics Ltd [The Accident Line Protect test cases] [2009] 1 WLR 1731, [2009] 4 All ER 526; Crane v Canons Leisure Centre [2008] 1 WLR 2549, [2008] 2 All ER 931, Days Healthcare UK Ltd v Pihsiang Machinery Manufacturing Co Ltd [2006] 4 All ER 233.
Career
MA (Cantab). Called 1994, Middle Temple.
Education
Felsted School; Trinity College, Cambridge University BA Hons (1993); Inns of Court School of Law (Bar vocational course, 1994); Middle Temple Astbury Scholar (1993).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are lovely, always friendly and eager to help. Alex Dolby, Dennis Peck, Nick Angliss and Christopher Ebdon all stand out.'
- 'The clerks’ room at 4 New Square provide exceptional service. They are responsive, pragmatic, and commercially aware. James Barrass stands out in particular; he is solutions-focused, knowledgeable about both the barristers' capabilities and the practical realities faced by solicitors, and adept at navigating availability issues with minimal fuss. The clerks' room has always been approachable and efficient, which makes instructing counsel a smooth and well-supported process from start to finish.'
- 'Very good, James Barrass is very dependable.'
- 'The clerking team are consistently excellent. They are responsive, efficient, and always helpful in coordinating work to meet tight deadlines and managing the demands of busy caseloads. Their support ensures a smooth and professional experience throughout.'
- '4 New Square are undoubtedly one of, if not the leading, set for costs matters. Fantastic strength-in-depth at all levels.'
- '4 New Square Chambers is, without question, the leading set in costs litigation. The breadth and depth of expertise across all levels of seniority is unmatched. It is rare to encounter a significant appellate level costs case that does not feature at least one member of chambers. The team’s technical strength is complemented by its commercial insight, making it the go-to set for anything within the costs and litigation funding sphere. The strong pipeline of talent also ensures a consistent and reliable standard of advocacy and advice at both silk and junior levels.'
- '4 New Square Chambers are the number one costs set in the country with in depth expertise for every aspect of costs and litigation funding and at both silk and junior level.'
- '4 New Square have an incredibly strong set of costs silks all of whom have excellent analytical and advocacy skills.'