David is a Solicitor and cross-qualified from the Bar (Inner Temple, called 1999) and specialises in litigation and dispute resolution work.
David has considerable experience in dealing with complex, high-value legal costs disputes, and has dealt with numerous high-profile cases. He is an experienced advocate and regularly attends costs management, Detailed Assessment and Appeal hearings, often opposed by Leading Counsel. David regularly advises on retainers and litigation funding issues and is instructed by some of the country’s top law firms to assist with legal costs issues. He has considerable experience in solicitor and own client costs disputes, and is regularly instructed in more novel costs matters, including costs issues in family, probate and employment cases.
David enjoys the challenge of a broad litigation and advisory practice, and his wider dispute resolution work encompasses contractual, construction and engineering, insurance, sports injury, franchise, commercial agency, professional negligence and probate disputes. He acts for businesses and individuals and has acted for well-known names in sport, entertainment and fashion, leading companies and law firms, insolvency practitioners and liquidators. Many of David’s regular clients have been instructing him since early in his career and appreciate his pragmatic approach and ability to find innovative solutions to their issues.
David has competed in cycling to international amateur medal standard and has extensive experience in the field of cycle sport. David acts for professional and amateur racing cyclists and triathletes with contractual and regulatory matters and serious personal injury cases.
Utting v McBain [2007] EWHC 90085 (Costs) – Enforceability of Conditional Fee Agreement. David was the advocate at first instance.
Utting v McBain [2007] EWHC 3293 (QB) (Costs) – Enforceability of Conditional Fee Agreement
Collett v Smith & Middlesbrough Football & Athletic Company Ltd [2011] EWHC 90208 (Costs) – hourly rates and success fees in what was at the time the highest value sports injury case in English legal history. David appeared as the advocate.
Hervia Ltd v Vivienne Westwood Ltd [2012] (ChD) – Acted for franchisee in high-value franchise dispute, widely reported in the national press.
C v S [2022] EWHC 800 (Fam) – Acted for a father in a rare decision in the family court concerning costs orders for unreasonable conduct.
Harrison v University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS [2022] EWCA Civ 1660 – David dealt with the costs management advocacy and advised on the question of whether a settlement by way of acceptance requiring permission of the Court was an order for damages and interest under CPR44.14 and whether QOCS protection applied.
Ashton v City of Liverpool YMCA [2023] EWHC 707 (KB) – David dealt with the costs management advocacy and advised as to costs issues throughout.