Masters Legal Costs Services LLP handles the full range of costs matters, from recovery and opposition of costs to costs budgets, and is particularly well known for its experience in high-profile group litigation and in proceedings in the Caribbean (thanks to its Grand Cayman office). Managing partner Philip Daval-Bowden, who is ‘a great strategist’, is particularly skilled in international litigation and arbitration with a Caribbean element. Other key names to note include group litigation specialist David Platnauer, costs management and budgeting expert Natalie Swales and Nico Myburgh, who frequently deals with high-quantum costs claims.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The costs team at Masters is generally acknowledged as setting the standard in the costs world. They are a very efficient costs litigation firm which deals with large-value cases worldwide. The quality of the staff is outstanding.’
‘I have worked extensively with Philip Daval-Bowden and his team. They are to my mind the leading costs lawyer firm in London presently. Very well resourced and expertise across the fee earners.’
‘Philip Daval-Bowden is a great strategist and always contributes valuable advice. He was excellent.’
‘Masters are always involved in the heaviest and more complex costs matters, but they are a full-service firm that can handle anything.’
‘Philip Daval-Bowden is one of the biggest names in costs. He and his team are always involved in the costs of every major group action. He is an exceptional tactician who always achieves excellent results for his clients.’
‘They are knowledgeable, helpful, and meticulous in detail.’
‘Knowledgeable and diligent.’
'Masters are absolutely top notch as a costs firm. They are my go-to - pragmatic, cost effective, commercial, and with concise actionable advice every time.'
Key clients
- Claimant Group in the Mobile Telephone Voicemail Interception Litigation (MTVIL) (Lead Solicitor - Hamlins LLP)
- Claimant Group in the Mirror Newspapers Hacking Litigation (MNHL) (Lead Solicitor - Thomson Heath & Associates)
- Hogan Lovells
- Minter Ellison (Hong Kong)
- Appleby
- Addleshaw Goddard LLP
- Campbells
- Carey Olsen
- Burlingtons LLP
- Maples & Calder
Work highlights
- Advised MTVIL and MNHL (Hamlins LLP and Thomson Heath) on novel and ground-breaking template costs budgeting, costs recovery by detailed assessment and mediation and expert costs advice (including in relation to ATE insurance).
- Acted in ENRC v (1) Dechert LLP (2) David Neil Gerrard & the Director of the Serious Fraud Office (via Hogan Lovells) on a substantial Bill of Costs (in excess of £50m but requiring the analysis of legal fees of over £75m) prepared and settled.
- Assisted Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v Lendlease Construction (Europe) and others on a large and complex bill of costs (£18.5m), prepared on behalf of the claimant in this high-profile construction matter arising from the construction of a flagship hospital.
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