Craig Ralph

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Year of Call: 2002

Craig practises almost exclusively in the law of costs (although he does accept instructions in personal injury and contract disputes where there are also significant costs issues). He is developing a niche practise in solicitor and client disputes and cases involving solicitors' remedies. His good grasp of contract law means that he is particularly adept at mending 'broken retainers' (or arguing that they should remain broken, as the case may be). Unusually for costs counsel, he has an interest in the incidence of costs as well as the ascertainment of costs. He is also interested in group litigation, criminal costs and counsel's fees.

Profile: 

Craig commenced his costs practise at Young Street Chambers where he rose to become Head of the Civil Department. He moved to Kings Chambers in 2008, since which time he has developed a busy national practice. He is somewhat older than most barristers of his call (having previously had a career in business), and this is reflected in a mature, likeable approach both to advocacy and advisory work.

He is registered for Public Access Work. This enables him to receive instructions directly from costs draftsmen who are not Fellows of the Association of Law Costs Draftsmen.

Significant Cases:

Drew v Whitbread  [2010] WLR (D) 41, CA, [2010] All ER (D) 104 (Feb) (applicability of fixed costs)(with Mark Friston)

Sousa v London Borough of Waltham Forest (2010), reported on Lawtel at LTL 13/1/2010, Leeds CC, HHJ Behrens (difficult point concerning subrogated claims)

Thenga v Quinn (2009) CA (Civ) Unreported, Wilson LJ 23 January 2009 (meaning of "final contested hearing")

Parveen v Farooq  (2009), reported on Lawtel at LTL 15/9/2009, Liverpool CC, HHJ Stewart QC (interpretation of CPR Pt 45 Section II)

Multiple Claimants v Corby Borough Council [2008] EWHC 619 (TCC) concerning the correct approach to costs capping in group litigation (with Mark Friston) 

Kilby v Gawith (2007) Liverpool CC, HHJ Stewart QC (upheld on appeal  at [2008] EWCA Civ 812. (CPR rule 45.11 was not discretionary)

Sitapuria v Khan [2007] reported on Lawtel at References: LTL 3/3/2008 Liverpool CC, HHJ Stewart QC  (meaning of 'at trial' for the purposes of CPR rule 45.15(6))

Recommendations:

"Craig Ralph is well known for his niche costs work. He advised on the high-profile Gibbon v Manchester City Council matter". Chambers UK 2012

Craig has been recommended in Chambers UK since 2009.

"Craig Ralph practises across the range of costs related work, and draws strong praise from commentators." Chambers UK 2011

Publications:

Craig writes (along with other members of the costs team) the Costs Brief for the New Law Journal. Recent articles include:  

• Back to the Future, New Law Journal (2009) Vol.159 No.7370 Pages 740-742
• Contracts Made Away from Solicitors' Places of Business, Costs Lawyer (2009) Issue 3, 9-16
• Multiplex Lessons, New Law Journal (2009) Vol 159 No 7350/51 Pages 31-33
• Protective costs orders, New Law Journal (2008) Vol.158 No.7335 Pages 1223-1224

Seminars and teaching are both things that Mr Ralph enjoys. He regularly gives seminars to solicitors, and in 2009 he gave a lengthy talk (with Matthew Smith) to the Association of Law Costs Draftsmen. His talks are usually accredited.

	Career & Education:
University:	University of Central Lancashire		Manchester Metropolitan University
Degree:	LLB (Hons)		BVC (very competent)
Year of Call:	2002 Middle Temple
Joined Chambers:	2008