Erica Bedford

Practice Areas

Erica is a sought after and experienced junior who practises exclusively in the law of costs.

She has specialised in this niche area since 2003, qualifying as a Cost Lawyer and Solicitor prior to transfer to the Bar. Her practical, astute advice, tenacious advocacy and technical capability are married with a personable approach, which together deliver a first-class service in all aspects of cost litigation.

She acts for both paying and receiving parties on matters arising from the full spectrum of civil litigation, but with particular emphasis on costs arising out of clinical negligence, high value personal injury and commercial litigation. She regularly appears in high value, technically complex matters before the Regional Cost bench and SCCO and on appeal. She has considerable experience in managing retainer arguments, technical issues of procedural law and issues of misconduct.

Erica has a flourishing solicitor/client practice, regularly acting for both clients and solicitors. Arising out of this, she delivers business advice to solicitors and advises upon and drafts retainers, both conditional and non-conditional.

A member of CADR, she is an experienced mediator.

She is appointed a Deputy Cost Judge in the Senior Court Cost Office as well as being appointed as a Deputy District Judge on the Northern Circuit.

Education and training have been life-long passions. She is regularly invited to speak at national events as well as delivering in house training. She is retained by MBL Seminars to teach on Solicitor Act matters.

Professional Memberships

Deputy Cost Judge – Senior Court Cost Office

Deputy District Judge - Northern Circuit.

Editor of the Cost Section of Atkins Court Forms.

Publications

No Cost Lawyer an Island: Litigation Funding, August 2019, Issue 122

Ho and Howe: A Sword to the Cartwright Shield? Litigation Funding, June 2020.

Contributor to Patterson & Karim on Judicial Review, Third Edition, 2019