Hailsham Chambers ‘stands out as a pre-eminent set in the field of costs law, particularly across high-stakes and technically demanding matters.’ The members have been particularly active in the collective proceedings regime in the Competition Appeal Tribunal, Dieselgate and the fallout of the Russian and Ukrainian aircraft insurance claims. Alexander Hutton KC is acting in a proposed group action of potentially hundreds of thousands of PPI claimants, whilst Jamie Carpenter KC is representing Rebekah Vardy, wife of Premier League Golden Boot winner Jamie, in costs litigation after her unsuccessful libel claim (dubbed "Wagatha Christie" in the popular press) against Coleen Rooney, wife of former Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne. Dan Stacey represented Hyundai, Kia and Volvo in the Pan Nox Diesel Emissions Litigation, successfully reducing the claimants’ budget of around £250m to nearer to £50m. Acting in the major group litigation, Municipio de Mariana v BHP Group (UK) Ltd, Mark Friston represents the claimants. Following over 35 years at the bar, Andrew Post KC retired in April 2024, whilst the set welcomed Camilla Avery as the Head of Operations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Position
Alexander’s practice is focused in two fields: clinical negligence, for claimants and defendants, and all aspects of costs law.
In both these fields, Alexander is recommended in the highest band of leading silks in the directories and acts in connection with a range of clinical negligence cases, with special focus on those of the most serious nature and highest value. He has also appeared in many of the leading costs cases over the last 20 years, and was chair of the committee that introduced the now mandatory electronic bill of costs.
“Has an ability to cut through detail to the crux of a case with unerring accuracy and confidence” Legal 500 2021
“A go-to leader for big costs actions and cases concerning complex issues relating to the recoverability of success fees” Chambers UK 2021
“He is incredibly personable and has great tactical awareness” Legal 500 2020
“He always achieves what often seems to be an impossible result” Chambers UK 2018
“He does what not many counsel do in that he’s equally good on paper as he is on his feet in court” Chambers UK 2017
“A likeable and knowledgeable silk, and an excellent advocate” “He is brilliant on his feet.” The Legal 500 2017
“Alex is a beautifully skilled advocate. He is good at cross-examination and affable and easy to work with.” Chambers UK 2016
It is said of him that “he has the sharpest intellect, technical prowess and among the best advocacy skills around” (The Legal 500 2014). In costs, “he has a superb command of costs law and is a measured and tenacious advocate” (Chambers UK 2015). He is regularly instructed in some of the largest and most complex clinical negligence actions. Over a number of years, he has appeared in a substantial number of the most important costs cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
“A recent silk whose reputation continues to rise, thanks particularly to the strength of his intellect and the power of his courtroom advocacy”, “he’s an excellent all-rounder, who is very bright and good with clients” Chambers UK 2014
“He has the sharpest intellect, technical prowess and among the best advocacy skills around.’ Legal 500 2014.
As the quotes above suggest, Alexander is an all-rounder with recognised strengths on paper, on mastering difficult medical and legal issues and in person with clients and in court, whether as a trial or appellate advocate. Alexander is instructed in cases involving all aspects of medicine and medical law, with particular emphasis on maximum value injury cases and those which involve complex medical and legal issues. He has always had a mixed practice of claimant and defendant work in both clinical negligence and costs.
Career
Called 1992, Gray’s Inn; KC 2012; Junior Counsel to the Crown (B Panel) 1999-2005; barrister assessor for costs appeals to High Court judges since 1999.
Memberships
South-Eastern Circuit; Professional Negligence Bar Association; Personal Injury Bar Association; AvMA.
Education
University of Bristol (1990 BSc Politics First-class Hons); University of Westminster (CPE).
Content supplied by Hailsham Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The service provided by Hailsham Chambers is consistently excellent. A notable feature of the Hailsham clerks’ room is their role in supporting and facilitating the set’s exceptional in-house training programme. The clerks and support staff are closely involved in organising bespoke seminars, briefing sessions, and more informal knowledge-sharing events, often tailoring these to client needs. This integrated approach between the barristers and clerking team adds real value and reinforces the set’s reputation for thought leadership and client service.'
- 'Clerks are professional, helpful and responsive. Stuart Paley has been of great assistance in helping us set up a training seminar on maximising costs recovery for our Dispute Resolution Division.'
- 'The Clerks and wider Chambers team are 'chefs kiss' superb. Jan Yogeswaran deserves a special mention, she is superb at what she does of course but also the most down to earth person who makes everyone feel special. Lee Reynolds, Stuart Paley, Lewis Merison, Leah Ashcroft, James Defries are all superb.'
- 'The service from the clerk's room is excellent.'
- 'Hailsham Chambers stands out as a pre-eminent set in the field of costs law, particularly across high-stakes and technically demanding matters. The set is unique in combining deep specialisation with broad commercial and litigation expertise, allowing its members to handle costs disputes with a sophisticated understanding of the wider legal and strategic contex.'
- 'Hailsham have the best reputation of all costs sets, in our view and from speaking with industry peers. Strength-in-depth is a strong point, but outcomes are what influence their reputation the most.'
- 'Hailsham Chambers Costs Team is incredibly strong with phenomenal expertise.'
- 'Hailsham Chambers has an excellent costs set with an absolute wealth of knowledge and experience. They are the go to set for any high profile/complex costs issues.'