COSTS DISPUTE

The Court of Appeal has dismissed a client's attempt to challenge Stewarts Law for charging fees which he claimed to be excessive. Kjerulf Ainsworth instructed Stewarts in 2017 to handle financial claims and allegations after a relationship breakdown. He later claimed duplication in work by fee-earners had led to inflated costs. However, senior costs judge Chief Master Gordon-Saker said the points of dispute were too 'broad brush'. The appeal court agreed, noting that Ainsworth had been warned to rethink the points of dispute. The complainant was ordered to pay £13,000 in costs to Stewarts Law. CPS clarifies its decision-making 19 February