Ben Petrecz

Contact Details
Costs Lawyer, Advocate & Senior Costs Consultant
01482427013
07708 425627
Ben.Petrecz@pic.legal

  1. How long have you been working in costs?

I started in the legal profession in 1996 and transitioned into a full-time costs role in 1998. I qualified as a Costs Lawyer in May 2008 having previously been a Fellow of the Association of Law Costs Draftsmen. I am one of only nine named “Leading Individuals” in the national Costs Lawyer section of 2024 The Legal 500. I am described as “knowledgeable” and “astute”.

  1. When did you join PIC?

I joined PIC in February 2024 in the role of Advocate & Senior Costs Consultant.

  1. What work do you do?

I currently possess a 2024 Practising Certificate (number CL768) issued by the Costs Lawyer Standards Board allowing me to conduct reserved legal activities under the Legal Services Act 2007.

I have worked in the following areas of law: Tax/HMRC, Asylum/Immigration, Personal Injury (RTA/PL/EL), Clinical Negligence, Disease/Occupational Heath (including MoD), Judicial Review, Family (including Wardship/Care Proceedings, Divorce & Ancillary Relief), Costs & Funding, Commercial Litigation (TCC), Property Risk & Coverage (indemnity), all aspects of insurance law/litigation, Criminal, Wills/Probate, Court of Protection, Fraud & Defamation.

Throughout my career I have represented & opposed private individuals, litigants in person, charities, businesses (large, medium & small), blue chip corporations & insurers, group litigants, Trusts, class actions, government departments, banks, foreign nationals & non-domiciles, protected/vulnerable parties and minors. I am equally adept at receiving or paying party work, although I am not currently engaged in the drafting of detailed bills of costs.

Cases of note I have led or been materially involved with include:

 

  • Sulaman v AXA Insurance Plc [2009] EWCA Civ 1331 (reducing costs entitlement due to misleading live evidence);
  • O’Beirne v Hudson [2010] EWCA Civ 52 (application of small claims track costs to un-allocated claims);
  • Gidman v Patel (CC Manchester) 22/01/10 (challenging recoverability of counsel’s fees in fixed costs cases);
  • Dunhill v Burgin [2012] EWCA Civ 397 (compromise agreements for protected parties);
  • Pirta v Shahi [2015] 7 WLUK 71 (£450,000 bill of costs struck out);
  • Pirta v Shahi No2 (CC Birmingham) 22/04/16 (return of £200,000 interim once bill struck out);
  • Tucker v Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust [2017] 5 WLUK 461 (sanctions for unreasonable conduct and mis-certification of costs budgets);
  • Tucker v Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust [2017] EWHC 3650 (QB) (correct approach to determining success fee in high value claim);
  • MXX v United Lincolnshire NHS Trust [2019] EWHC 1624 (QB) (sanctions for improper conduct during the costs budgeting process);
  • Seabrook v Adam [2021] EWCA 382 (correct interpretation of Part 36 offer following judgment);
  • NAX v MAX & LV [2021] EWHC 3492 (QB) (resisting interim payments in catastrophic injury claims);
  • ABA v Coventry & Warwick NHS Trust [2022] EWHC B4 (Costs) (premature commencement of costs proceedings following a split trial);
  • AKC v Barking, Havering & Redbridge NHS Hospital Trust [2022] EWCA Civ 630 (compliance with rules surrounding information in Precedent S bill of costs);
  • Tabbitt v Clark [2023] EWCA Civ 744 (enforcement of costs under the QOCS regime);
  • Santiago v MIB [2023] EWCA Civ 838 (recoverability of translators fees in fixed costs claims).

My current focus is mainly on high value & complex personal injury, clinical negligence and commercial claims, but also have frequent involvement on lower value or Fixed Costs matters, particularly with a strategic element or point of principle arising. I also provide internal & external training on emerging market affairs and costs-related matters.

  1. Additional personal details.

I am married with three children. I attend my local Church where I am an active member on the speaking team. During recent years I have participated in triathlons, marathon running, cricket, paintball, cycling etc. Ethics and morals are important to me; a good name/reputation is more important than money & status. I believe a healthy work life balance is critical in maintaining a strong & ethical family unit.

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