Clarion’s 24-strong costs and litigation funding team is once again one of only two firms across the UK to have been ranked by Chambers & Partners as a Band 1 firm for legal costs services; it is also the only one in Yorkshire to achieve this accolade; and the only firm to be ranked as Band 1, two years in a row. Partner, Andrew McAulay, who heads the costs practice, has also been ranked again as a leading individual.
Chambers & Partners’ report into litigation support providers was launched in 2019 to recognise outstanding work by costs teams who support law firms in costs management and recovering and defending legal costs claims. Last year, just ten firms were recognised with Clarion being listed amongst four firms in Band 1 and 2. This year’s review again identified leading individuals in the field, and Clarion’s Andrew McAulay has been listed as one of only seven leading individuals in the UK.
Some of the comments received by the team include: “Our experience of Clarion is very, very positive. It is clear to see that the team is structured well, with a wide breadth of knowledge throughout to ensure our work is completed to the best possible levels. We have tried a number of other firms within this area and we kept getting drawn back to Clarion as they are the best in their field in our opinion.” It was also said: “Andrew’s biggest strengths are his honesty, client care and value-added offering. The team is highly skilled at what they do and Andrew’s appreciation for the fact that different clients have differing demands is key to the high-level service they provide.”
Andrew, who trained with Clarion, has almost 20 years’ experience working in legal costs claims, and set up the costs and litigation funding practice at the firm in 2010. Initially, providing this specialist service internally at Clarion, it has grown to support over 200 law firms across the UK.
“For a relatively young team to achieve such a prestigious national accolade for a second-year running is a real achievement,” comments Roger Hutton, joint managing partner of Clarion. “When operating at this level, technical ability is assumed, but the Chambers report identified client service as one of the key features which set the Clarion team apart.
“The costs practice has become renowned for providing outstanding service and is frequently praised for the added value it brings in this niche area, as well as for being accessible and swift to respond. Well done to Andrew and the team!”
Andrew added: “As a lawyer myself, I have a real understanding of the service and support law firms need and have been able to work with the team to develop a first-rate product, allowing professional Deputies and litigators to focus on their cases rather than being distracted by managing the costs.
“Over the last 10 years, we have proved ourselves to be a reliable and trustworthy partner to law firms nationwide. I am genuinely proud, both personally and on behalf of the team, to receive this national recognition.”
Andrew has particular expertise in solicitor/own client costs disputes, court of protection costs, litigation funding and high value commercial litigation and personal injury costs. In 2020, he became one of just five members appointed to the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB).
Clarion’s costs and litigation funding team specialises in the areas of court of protection, commercial litigation and personal injury/medical negligence costs claims. They deal with the full spectrum of legal costs work, which includes costs management and detailed assessments. They act for both the paying or receiving party and are regularly instructed directly by lay clients, owner managed businesses and large corporates.
