Costs Litigation

Andrew Hogan is an experienced advocate who represents paying and receiving parties in the County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. His expertise includes litigation funding, qualified one-way costs and Part 36 CPR. He is the author of an authoritative blog regarding the costs sector.

"Andrew is commonly described as the best costs barrister outside London, and some would say the best full stop for his level of call. He's a very good advocate."

"A junior with the gravitas of a silk, he takes brave points and wins on them. He's a calm, considered, reassuring counsel, who is excellent to work with."

"Andrew Hogan is an excellent tactician, who is really good at running and fighting cases. He can tie people in knots."

"Andrew Hogan has an incredible mind. He's the most senior junior in costs and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject. Very smart, he's a great opponent, who cuts straight to the issues."

Kevin Latham is an impressive senior junior who undertakes costs, personal injury and clinical negligence cases, and boasts extensive experience in the courtroom. He regularly appears in solicitor–own client disputes, and has handled a number of cases concerning wasted and third-party costs orders. He is recognised for his remarkable skills in the field of fixed costs, and is also an experienced mediator.

"Kevin is a favourite due to his impeccable preparation and mastery of advocacy. He's all over the detail and can get to grips with the most complex of issues. He always delivers outstanding results."

"Kevin has the ability to cut through the noise and make his point concisely and very persuasively. He will tell you if you're wrong and challenge you."

"Kevin Latham is approachable, personable and someone who knows his stuff like you wouldn't believe."

"A great all rounder who is super at dealing with clients. I have worked with Kevin for years and he's just got better and better."

"Kevin Latham is very technically astute and always well prepared."

Craig Ralph handles costs and litigation funding cases, and has notable experience in costs budgeting, high-value claims and group litigation. Frequently acting in appeals, his varied practice further takes in retainer issues and Part 36 offers, among other areas. He is also a qualified mediator.

"Craig Ralph is very gifted in terms of advocacy - he's a true orator, who's very persuasive and dramatic in his delivery. He is also highly knowledgeable - he knows cost law inside out."

"Craig is incredibly personable. He's a really nice person both to work with and be against."

Erica Bedford is an experienced junior barrister with a strong costs practice who regularly appears before the SCCO and Regional Costs Judges, and has handled a number of costs appeals. She represents both paying and receiving parties in solicitor–own client actions, and is also a qualified mediator. She is appointed to sit as a Deputy Costs Judge, and spearheads the Women in Costs foundation.

"An extremely skilled advocate. She is very tenacious and certainly understands what is best for her client, having previously worked in private practice."

"Erica is great in conference, great in court and great in terms of her written work. She has amazing insight and always keeps an eye on the commercial realities of running a point."

"Erica Bedford is an absolute force to be reckoned with. She's phenomenal."

Matthew Smith has wide experience in costs law including costs appeals, group litigations, detailed assessments and cases regarding success fees and solicitor-client disputes. He additionally has significant knowledge of non-contentious costs and issues concerning retainers' contracts. He is also an experienced mediator in this area.

"Matthew Smith is straightforward to work with. He can always be relied upon to give a balanced view on an issue."

"Matthew's advocacy is outstanding. He knows how to navigate difficult issues with ease."

Paul Hughes is a costs and litigation funding practitioner who specialises in procedural law and the costs of actions based on negligence. He is regularly instructed in complex disputes relating to misconduct, wasted costs and non-party costs orders. He has experience of representing clients at all levels, and frequently appears before the Court of Appeal. He is also a CADR-qualified mediator.

"Paul is great to work with. He's personable, very knowledgeable, willing to put forward the best arguments he can, and someone who will have a fight. He's a pragmatic, sensible and polished advocate."

"Paul has a very good client manner and is thorough and surgical in his cross-examinations. Very easy to talk to, he makes you feel part of the team."

"A safe pair of hands who can expertly work his way through any issue you throw at him."

"Paul is technically gifted and knows costs inside and out. He is really intelligent and very persuasive on his feet. In addition, he's very personable and down to earth."

Steven Turner has a wide-ranging costs practice, and represents both claimants and defendants, including property developers and solicitors, among many others. He has experience in personal injury costs cases, and his advice is frequently sought in matters involving complex and novel points of law.

"Steven is a very senior junior. He 's been at the Court of Appeal more times than you can shake a stick at."

"He's an excellent advocate, who's a commanding presence in court. He gives solid commercial advice, is very down to earth and personable, and is a man who gets to the heart of the issue."