At WCL, our team is more than just a group of professionals – we are a close-knit unit committed to success. With a combination of industry knowledge, dedication, and a client-centred approach, we are dedicated to delivering excellence and the strongest outcomes for clients.
Handles cases which often involve international and cross- jurisdictional elements, where the issue of costs has become contentious, complex and which requires concentrated and high skilled input from experienced costs lawyers.
Strong professional connections with the key firms and practitioners operating in the dispute resolution and costs litigation sectors, WCL is very well placed to advise and represent a party in need of an experienced costs lawyer.
Strives to deliver the best outcomes for clients either by way of negotiated compromise at the budgeting stage or advice and advocacy within the resultant arbitral or detailed assessment proceedings.
Ensures the client always receives robust advice and representation.
WCL has substantial experience in handling fee disputes as between solicitor and former client – and often takes the lead in strategy considerations and advice, the drafting of costs pleadings and any resultant advocacy within detailed assessment proceedings.
WCL frequently acts for solicitors against former clients who intend to take issue with fees and expenses incurred during the retainer and are also often asked to advise and represent the ex-client, usually, businesses which had instructed the law firm – against their former solicitors – either way, the party instructing WCL can rest assured they will receive robust advice and representation.
WCL has strong experience in preparing and advising on large or complex costs claims within Detailed Assessment Proceedings – deriving from litigation in the English Civil Courts, the Competition Appeals Tribunal, or Arbitration Proceedings. WCL also handles costs disputes arising from litigation in other jurisdictions, notably UAE.
WCL often provides advice on strategies designed to mitigate expense within or to prevent the Detailed Assessment process.
In Arbitration Proceedings, WCL helps law firms prepare submissions on the incidence of and amount of costs, to assist the Tribunal in the making of Awards. WCL’s agility and experience working with often large underlying billing data enables effective schedules and summaries to accompany submissions which yields better outcomes.
WCL adopts an efficient and cost-effective approach to all of its work.
WCL is regularly instructed to prepare large or complex bills of costs – or to assist the paying party mitigate its liabilities following adverse costs orders.
WCL makes use of its vast experience and sophisticated knowledge of Microsoft Excel to prepare bills more efficiently and which better enables advice on strategy and incidental advocacy pleadings to be prepared more easily and with greater effect.
WCL often leads on advocacy and strategy advice or otherwise provides chief support to instructed counsel in detailed assessment proceedings.
WCL is often asked to prepare and advise on court and opponent-facing costs budgets and strategies arising therefrom which usually includes negotiations and advocacy points with the opponent, advice around monitoring ongoing spend versus last approved or agreed budgeted amounts and written advocacy in preparation for costs management hearings.
Sarah Shalders serves as the cornerstone of WCL's operations, blending administrative finesse with legal insights to keep our processes seamless. With a sharp eye for detail and an ability to thrive in fast-paced settings, Sarah's role ensures every facet of WCL functions efficiently. Her friendly and efficient approach to client interactions guarantees that your needs are met promptly and effectively.
Leighanne Stephens is the creative force driving WCL's marketing initiatives. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for effective communication, Leighanne crafts compelling narratives that bring the WCL message to life. Drawing from 7 years of experience in marketing, she combines her strategic thinking with a deep understanding of the legal landscape to deliver impactful campaigns.
After completing her law degree in 2021, Caroline made the transition to Costs Law and joined WCL, where she has taken on a varied role which includes executive support to the costs lawyers, project administration and sales and marketing initiatives.
Email: [email protected]
John has worked in the costs sector for over 10-years – and has substantial experience in costs matters arising out of high-value commercial litigation, catastrophic injury and clinical negligence claims. John has significant advocacy experience having appeared at detailed assessment hearings, costs management hearings and application hearings.
John is also a qualified solicitor and in his spare time, is an academic tutor on the Association of Costs Lawyers Training course. John is passionate about and committed to the next generation of costs lawyers and giving young people opportunities in the legal world.
Email: [email protected]
Stuart has more than 30-years’ experience and brings an all-round skillset, including drafting, opposing, advising and advocacy on matters of all shapes and sizes and notably with complex issues to untangle. Stuart has been a qualified mediator with the Chartered Institute since 2011.
Ben has worked in the costs sector for over 10-years and brings a tenacious and meticulous approach to his work which brings about excellent outcomes for clients.
A seasoned advocate and well used to handling large and complex costs claims, Ben has represented clients from County Court through to the Supreme Court. Ben is described by the Legal 500 as “very approachable” and “creative and pragmatic in equal measure”. Ben is also ranked as a ‘Next Generation Partner’.
Ben attended the Bar Vocational Course in 2008-2009. He is also a non-executive director of ACLT. Having been mentored by established costs lawyers when he first started in costs, Ben understands the importance of giving back. He currently mentors law graduates trying to find their feet in the legal industry.
Email: [email protected]
Kevin leads WCL, bringing over 30-years’ sharp-end experience, regularly handling and advising on heavy commercial costs matters. Kevin is a proven advocate and trusted advisor to a number of law firms and has been integrally involved in some very high value and prominent costs cases and projects over the years. Some notable examples include; co-ordinating the preparation of the Bills in Motto & Others v Trafigura - one of the largest costs claims to have gone through the English Costs Office; a Bill for in excess of $US 100 million in the Guernsey Court; managing the mitigation of adverse costs liabilities arising from the first tranches of bills of costs in the phone-hacking claims brought in this jurisdiction against NGN and MGN; and managing the mitigation of adverse costs liabilities on behalf of a major investment bank arising from a number of SWAPs mis-selling actions. Kevin also acts as appointed independent expert to advise on the billing of fees subject to highly stringent and increasingly widening OFSI licensing requirements.
Telephone: 0797 334 0507
Email: [email protected]
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Wonnacott Consulting Limited is registered in England and Wales, registered no 13727161 and its registered office of 14 Cotton’s Gardens, London, England, E2 8DN.