Helene Crawley-Meltoft is a solicitor and Partner in our Costs Team with over 20 years’ experience in the field of legal costs. She specialises in complex and high-value matters, with particular expertise in Clinical Negligence, Catastrophic Injury claims and Commercial litigation.
Helene is responsible for the preparation of Costs Budgets, Precedent Ts, and Bills of Costs in a wide range of cases, from catastrophic clinical negligence claims to intricate insolvency and commercial disputes. She also prepares Points of Dispute and Replies in some of the firm’s most challenging and high-profile matters, dealing with negotiations up to and including Detailed Assessment if necessary.
She was involved in the landmark case of Discovery Land Company v Axis Specialty Europe SE [2021] EWHC 2146 (Comm), which addressed complex issues around professional indemnity insurance and costs budgeting in the Commercial Court.
Known for her meticulous approach and strategic insight, Helene has a strong track record in dealing with unusual and sensitive cases, including those arising from high-profile criminal prosecutions and costs orders against the Lord Chancellor in family proceedings.
Involved in costs proceedings in a claim arising out of civil proceedings brought by three Claimants for false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, malicious falsehood and misfeasance in public office following their acquittal in criminal proceedings. The Claimants were accused of murder in what remains one of the most high-profile unsolved murders in the UK.
Involved in costs proceedings in a claim arising out of the negligent failure of a Defendant NHS Trust to identify a significant fatal anomaly in circumstances where the Claimant would have terminated the pregnancy had she been informed.
Reaching amicable and advantageous settlement in costs proceedings arising out of a partnership dispute between two GPs in circumstances where the Defendant failed to engage in any costs negotiations.
Involved in costs management and proceedings for a Claimant in a claim arising out of a diving accident in Spain, where the Claimant was rendered paraplegic.