James is a specialist costs and litigation funding barrister. He is a qualified costs lawyer, registered mediator and can accept instructions from costs professionals under the Public Access scheme.
James now practices exclusively in costs and is co-author of the highly acclaimed, leading textbook on the subject, Friston on Costs (4th Edition, Oxford University Press). The book is frequently cited in court in this jurisdiction and elsewhere.
As a former costs lawyer and solicitor, James understands the needs of practitioners working in this field and is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes.
James regularly undertakes drafting work for clients and advises on difficult and novel points of law. He has become the “go to” counsel for many of the country’s leading solicitors and insurers.
James regularly undertakes high value detailed assessment hearings before Regional Costs Judges and Masters in the Senior Court Costs Office. He is often instructed to deal with appeals and all aspects of Costs and Case Management in multi-million-pound matters.
James has extensive experience in technical Fixed Recoverable Costs cases and applications for relief from sanctions. He regularly deals with disputes relating to misconduct and wasted costs.