Masters Legal Costs Services LLP is a leading costs firm known for its expertise in high-value, complex litigation across commercial, clinical negligence, civil liberties, media, and group litigation. The firm advises clients at every stage of proceedings on all aspects of costs law, including costs recovery, opposition, budgeting, estimates, and security for costs. With an office in Grand Cayman, the firm is also well-placed to provide legal costs services across the Caribbean, particularly in international litigation and arbitration. The practice is led by Philip Daval-Bowden, who brings extensive experience in consultancy, advocacy, and advisory work across multiple jurisdictions, including matters before the Supreme Court and Privy Council. Nico Myburgh is recognised for his work in group litigation and complex, high-value claims, while James Foster and Suzanne Holmes both play significant roles in the media sector. Holmes is noted for her experience in high-profile defamation disputes, and Foster for his expertise in bill preparation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Philip Daval-Bowden and his team are exceptional. They are able to tackle litigation on a scale and complexity beyond what most costs firms can handle. Masters are always involved in large group actions and complex costs disputes. They are a cut above.’
‘Everyone at Masters stands out as being fantastic. Phil Daval-Bowden is a force to be reckoned with. His knowledge of the industry and ability to find commercial solutions to complex problems is unmatched.'
'Masters is excellent because of their strength and depth in talent. James Foster stands out as exceptional, even in that group. He is on top of every detail and makes the impossible happen.’
‘The firm is able to offer expertise in all areas of costs litigation. One of the important things for me is that I never feel as though Master's has overstretched its promises to get work done, or get projects finished by deadlines. They are very reliable. They have considerable depth in their teams, and everything they produce is well presented and thought through. They are excellent in my view.’
‘Masters is headed up by Philip Daval-Bowden, and he is, I believe, one of the best costs lawyers working in this area. He knows his subject so well and has so much to offer in terms of ideas and critical thinking in cases which you don't often get from other costs lawyers.’
‘Masters has particular expertise in very high value, complex or sensitive claims as well as international and cross-border costs disputes, which gives it an extra level of expertise few other costs firms have.’
Key clients
- Claimant Group in the Mobile Telephone Voicemail Interception Litigation
- Claimant Group in the Mirror Newspapers Hacking Litigation
- Hogan Lovells
- Quinn Emanuel
- Campbells
- Addleshaw Goddard LLP
- Bindmans LLP
- Carter Ruck
- Taylor Wessing
- Payne Hicks Beach
- Herbert Smith Freehills
- Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Work highlights
Advising on the MTVIL and MNHL template, costs budgeting, costs recovery by detailed assessment and mediation, and expert costs advice in contentious phone hacking litigation. Also acted in the successful recovery of costs by mediation and detailed assessment for over 750 Claimants, recovering costs in the region of £70million to date.
Advised seven defendant manufacturers in the Pan-NOx Emissions Litigation, preparing multiple Costs Budgets per client. Across all parties, 84 budgets were exchanged over three months from April to July 2024, with work now underway on Tranche 3 budgets ahead of the July 2025 Costs Management Hearing.
Acted as the Claimants’ costs expert in the Grenfell Tower fire litigation, advising over 900 individuals represented by 14 firms. In 2024, they prepared hundreds of costs documents and led mediation preparations. A settlement was reached following an intensive October mediation led by Lord Neuberger and attended by 50+ representatives.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Philip Daval-Bowden; David Platnauer; Nico Myburgh; Natalie Swales; Tony Hale; Samuel Harper; Philip Avis; Rachel Mole; Ian Walton; Carina Patterson
Other key lawyers
James Foster; Suzanne Holmes