Biography

Paul adopts a direct and straightforward approach to his work: in writing, by telephone and at court. He is unafraid to be robust and forthright where necessary but is equally cognisant of the more empathetic approach often required with lay clients. Direct Access qualified, he understands the importance of clarity and brevity and seeks, wherever possible, to turn complex issues into readily and easily understood advice.

With an established track record of seeking practical compromise where possible, Paul is unafraid to robustly defend a client’s position in court, being the client’s advocate.

Paul spent 13 years at Eversheds LLP, eight years of which as a Partner. After initially specialising in claimant professional negligence claims against solicitors and surveyors, establishing the UK’s largest specialist team, he founded Eversheds’ first national team specialising in legal costs and funding, which he led and ran.

Then in 2005, he created his own solicitor’s firm that specialised in legal costs. At its peak, this firm had over 100 staff and hundreds of solicitor firm clients. He dealt with cases up to and including in the Court of Appeal. Paul was the lead advocate in many cases. He has lectured on third-party funding for over 15 years.

Areas of law

• Legal Costs & Funding
• Housing Disrepair
• Cavity Wally Insulation Claims 
• Professional Negligence

Detailed Assessment Hearings

Paul has conducted over 200 hearings at the Senior Court Costs Office (SCCO) and County Courts throughout England and Wales. These have dealt with multi-million-pound costs disputes to important points of legal principle and practice.

Appeal Hearings

Conducting many cases in the County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal, Paul has dealt with test cases and high-value litigation.

Costs Management

Providing strategic advice and advocacy at case management hearings as required, Paul can deal with both the directions and the connected costs-related issues. This, in financial terms, can often be the most important hearing in the case.

HDR & CWI Cases

Paul deals with cases for both landlords and tenants to provide cost-effective solutions in housing disrepair matters. He also has a detailed understanding of the complexities involved in the field of CWI cases and a life-long interest in property-related matters, as his father was an architect.

Third-Party Funding

Working with numerous law firms and funders, Paul has acted in this rapidly developing area of costs and funding for over 15 years. With the developing field of DBAs and a risk-sharing approach to litigation, this is an important field to both win and finance litigation cases.

Professional Negligence

Paul deals particularly with claims against surveyors and solicitors. He was involved in many of the leading cases that led to the Supreme Court’s decision in SAAMCO and the Court of Appeal in BBL v Eagle Star.

Personal Interests

When he is not working, Paul has two lifelong passions; his family (4 children) and MCFC – neither have been without their difficult moments!