Costs Litigation

Benjamin Williams KC is a stellar advocate who draws praise for his expertise in costs litigation and who is particularly well known for his handling of cases with technically challenging aspects to them. He frequently handles matters at the highest level, and has been active in a number of precedent-setting cases in the Court of Appeal.

"The pre-eminent costs silk in the country."

"Ben is the doyen of costs counsel. He's very wise and easy to understand."

"A man whose knowledge of the subject is beyond compare, he is brilliant on his feet and someone whose submissions are clinical. He reads the courtroom well and knows which way the wind is blowing."

"Ben's brain is the size of the milky way, never mind a a planet. The most intellectual silk at the Bar without question. His intellectual capacity is off the scale. He's incredible."

George McDonald represents a range of clients in complex costs disputes, and has particular experience of handling specific costs issues relating to large group actions and complicated funding structures. He is experienced at representing clients before the Supreme Court and is a past master at handling solicitor-client disputes. McDonald is regularly instructed as sole counsel in major pieces of litigation.

"George is a very reassuring presence in any litigation team, who really puts in the time and effort to appreciate the big picture and the detail in a case. He's very strong on detailed assessments."

"George's costs knowledge is second to none. He is approachable and provides pragmatic commercial advice. His advocacy skills always deliver excellent results."

"George is an excellent advocate with extensive experience. A purveyor of the most reliable advice, he's both highly responsive and very helpful."

"A specialist in the field who's many people's first choice. What sets him apart is that he is both just so approachable and so prompt in his advice - he always keeps you updated."

"George is very user-friendly, highly astute and someone with a clear commercial focus."

Nicholas Bacon KC is a distinguished advocate in the costs litigation sphere who heads the set's costs team and boasts an enviable résumé, having led cases in the Supreme Court and appeared in numerous other significant appeals.He has represented the General Council of the Bar as Intervener in a seminal case on the operation of Damages Based Agreements.

"He is a go-to for costs disputes. Excellent."

"Nick is right in the upper echelons of costs silks and very easy to work with."

"When you instruct Nick you always know he is on your side. He intuitively sees where any problems are coming from and reads the room better than most."

"Nicholas Bacon is a man of outstanding intellect and great commercial acumen, who produces extraordinary advocacy."

Roger Mallalieu KC is a highly experienced silk who frequently represents parties in solicitor-client disputes, third-party costs cases and CFA compliance matters. He has vast experience of representing clients before the Court of Appeal and is frequently instructed in the most complex, high-profile cases. He is regularly called upon by insurers and solicitors' firms to provide guidance on costs matters, and is well known for advising on group litigation proceedings.

"Roger is one of the best costs barrister out there. He's fantastic."

"Roger is just incredible. His intellect, advocacy and persuasiveness are second to none, and he is also down to earth and genuine. Added to this he's very patient and generous: an absolute class act."

"An exceptional advocate who is a go-to person at senior level."

"Roger Mallalieu is so approachable and always has time for you. He is sublime. The most accommodating person you could meet."

"Very quick on his feet, very approachable, very good with clients and highly personable."

Stephen Innes

Stephen Innes complements his professional negligence offering with a busy costs practice, and regularly appears in the SCCO, often in cases concerning points of principle of wider application. He is further known for his handling of matters concerning costs issues relating to prominent and widely covered criminal cases. He is additionally qualified as a costs mediator with CADR and accepts instructions on a direct basis.

"Stephen has been a pleasure to work with and got up to speed very quickly on a novel application. He took the bull by both horns and had a good ability to pass over technical concepts."

"He's extremely clever and knows everything about costs. He is responsive, a pleasure to deal with, and his advice is always easily digestible with a view to the best commercial outcome for the client."

Daniel Saoul KC is an impressive silk, previously qualified as a solicitor advocate, who frequently handles solicitor-client costs disputes and costs matters arising out of substantial commercial litigation. He also has experience of practising as an attorney in the British Virgin Islands. He has been instructed in some of the most significant costs disputes in the High Court and beyond.

"Daniel Saoul is an excellent costs, sport and business lawyer, who is very commercial."

"Very detail-orientated and not afraid to get into the weeds of a case. He's really excellent in giving clear strategic advice, and produces a clear picture of where the case is going."

Matthew Waszak advises on a broad range of litigation funding issues and is instructed to draft bespoke CFAs and damages-based agreements. Additionally practising in personal injury cases, he is further known for his knowledge of after-the-event premiums. He appears before the SCCO, Regional Costs Judges, the County Courts and the High Court. Of late, Waszak has been seen advising or arguing costs issues in major group litigation.

"Such a pleasure to work with. You never have to chase him (he's normally chasing us!), and he is technically strong too."

"A go-to person below KC level. He's a very strong advocate in his field with great knowledge and expertise."

"Matthew Waszak is absolutely phenomenal. He knows his stuff and is one of the nicest people ever."

Robert Marven KC is well versed in costs, CFAs, fixed-fee regimes and litigation funding (including commercial funding for significant disputes). His client roster includes public bodies, insurers and private individuals. He has good experience of representing clients before both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

"A complete expert in thorny costs matters, he's very user-friendly, accessible and collegiate. His advocacy is a real strength - his submissions are confident and direct. He's brilliant."

"He gives a very clear view on the likely outcome which is what you want from leading counsel."

"Rob Marven cuts through it all. He's sharp-witted and a heavyweight lawyer."

Simon Teasdale has a practice that is deeply focused on costs. He demonstrates particular specialism in the areas of solicitor-client disputes, and points of principle in relation to the application of QOCS and the Fixed Costs regime in Part 45. He is often seen on high-value and complex costs matters, both led and unled.

"Simon is very, very good. He is thorough, technical and personable."

"A junior who does silk standard work. Definitely a future star."

"Simon Teasdale has boundless energy and enthusiasm backed up by strong technical knowledge. He's very comfortable with newer technology and alive to the potential it has to streamline processes."

"Simon is a senior junior but a no nonsense barrister that gets into the detail and gives good advice."

"He is five steps ahead of everyone else in the room. Simon is charming, strategic and really personable."

Ben Smiley has a vast amount of experience in costs litigation matters. He has notable expertise in high-profile solicitors' liens disputes and non-party costs orders matters, with particular experience of applications for wasted costs orders. He has appeared at various levels of court including the Supreme Court.

"Ben Smiley is very diligent and extremely clever. A rising star."

"Really good both at paperwork and on his feet, he has a really nice manner and is someone courts give credence to. He's very, very good, and one of those you know will be a silk at some point."

Pippa Manby has a busy practice in costs law where she is highly regarded for her advocacy and advisory skills. She is instructed in inter partes disputes and solicitor-client disputes in the County Courts, High Court and Senior Courts Costs Office. Her practice covers the full range of costs work, and in particular regularly includes instructions stemming from large Commercial Court trials.

"Pippa Manby is excellent. Her drafting is superb. She is becoming a real expert on cost matters."

Theo Barclay advises on a full range of costs matters. He has in-depth experience in the sector, having appeared in several high-profile costs cases in recent years and at various levels of court including the Supreme Court. He also regularly appears before the Senior Courts Costs Office. Barclay acts in cases both led and unled, and has an international element to his costs practice.

"Theo is always attentive and responsive. He quickly grasps the underlying commercial context of a case and ensures that he is focused on the bigger picture when advising."