Steven Green

Recent work has included leading or supervising costs strategy on high-value and technically complex disputes, including catastrophic injury litigation, Supreme Court-related costs issues, commercial fee disputes and international costs matters.

• Led costs recovery in a complex catastrophic injury matter involving indemnity costs, hourly rate challenges, budget departure arguments and proportionality issues, resolving the costs dispute without a lengthy detailed assessment hearing.
• Advised an international commercial client in a solicitor/client fee dispute arising from a corporate transaction, helping the client resolve the dispute for less than half of the charges claimed and reducing potential exposure by more than £600,000.
• Supported a client facing substantial adverse costs following Supreme Court proceedings by identifying recoverability arguments, developing a rebuttal strategy and achieving a significantly improved settlement outcome.
• Oversaw costs work on high-value and high-profile appellate matters, including cases involving Supreme Court costs and complex costs recovery issues.
• Continued to develop Irwin Mitchell’s external costs offering, including support for commercial and international clients requiring specialist costs advice.

Some of the most significant matters I have led or been involved in have required detailed costs strategy in complex litigation, often where the costs issues were central to the overall commercial outcome.

• A high-value catastrophic injury costs dispute arising from serious prison assault litigation, involving complex points on indemnity costs, costs budgeting, proportionality, guideline hourly rates and extensive expert evidence.
• A commercial solicitor/client fee dispute for an international client following a corporate transaction, where the team analysed retainer terms, fee estimates, time records, and case law before supporting a negotiated resolution at less than half of the sum claimed.
• Budana v Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, in which I was instructed by the Law Society for the Court of Appeal proceedings, in relation to the assignment of pre-LASPO Conditional Fee Agreements.
• Merrix v Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, concerning the relationship between approved or agreed costs budgets and detailed assessment.
• Simcoe v Jacuzzi UK Group PLC, concerning the recovery of interest on legal costs and the application of the incipitur rule.
• Supreme Court and Court of Appeal costs matters, including costs issues arising from high-profile appellate litigation.

My expertise has been recognised by leading legal directories, including Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Legal 500 has described my knowledge and advocacy ability as exceptional, and Chambers and Partners has referred to my experience of costs and funding matters as unparalleled.

I have been recognised by Legal 500 as a Leading Partner and have been described by directory commentary as a leading figure in the costs profession. I regularly speak on costs and litigation funding, provide training to colleagues and clients, and contribute to consultations and working groups shaping the development of costs law and practice.

• Co-author of Conditional Fee Agreements, 3rd Edition, published by the Law Society.
• Coordinator of APIL’s Costs and Funding Special Interest Group.
• Member of the Senior Courts Costs Office practitioners group.
• Accredited training provider recognised by the Costs Lawyer Standards Board.
• Contributor to consultations and working parties on fixed recoverable costs, costs budgeting, guideline hourly rates, legal aid, qualified one-way costs shifting and wider funding reform.