Sarah Erwin-Jones

Obtaining a costs order against partially successful litigants in a Data Protection Act claim.  The damages were negligible, and the judge accepted that the Claimant acted irresponsibly, making serious allegations of misconduct against the Defendant’s school and its staff for which there was no factual support. An Issue Based Costs Order was given ordering that First and Second Claimants could recover 20% of their costs against the Defendant, whereas the Defendant could recover 80% of their costs against the First and Second Claimants.

Innovative approach to watching briefs - it stopped claimant solicitors incurring costs, whilst at the same time ensuring that all parties were on a level playing field with the overriding objective.  As a result we were able to settle five claims without the need for medical evidence within eight weeks of a criminal trial concluding, saving our client between £20,000 and £40,000 on watching brief fees alone.