Erica Bedford

Profile

Erica is a sought after and experienced junior who practises exclusively in the law of costs.

She has specialised in this niche area since 2003, qualifying as a Cost Lawyer and Solicitor prior to transfer to the Bar. Her practical, astute advice, tenacious advocacy and technical capability are married with a personable approach, which together deliver a first-class service in all aspects of cost litigation.

She acts for both paying and receiving parties on matters arising from the full spectrum of civil litigation, but with particular emphasis on costs arising out of clinical negligence, high-value personal injury, and commercial litigation. She regularly appears in high-value, technically complex matters before the Regional Cost bench and SCCO and on appeal. She has considerable experience in managing retainer arguments, technical issues of procedural law and issues of misconduct.

Erica has a flourishing solicitor/client practice, regularly acting for both clients and solicitors. Arising out of this, she delivers business advice to solicitors and advises upon and drafts retainers, both conditional and non-conditional.

A member of CADR, she is an experienced mediator. She is appointed to sit as a Deputy District Judge on the Northern Circuit.

In 2021, Erica was appointed to the Regional B Panel of the Attorney General’s Panels of Junior Counsel to the Crown. Erica will commence her five-year appointment on the 1st March 2021. Erica was also appointed as a Deputy Costs Judge of the Senior Courts Costs Office.

Education and training have been life-long passions. She is regularly invited to speak at national events as well as delivering in-house training. She is retained by MBL Seminars to teach on Solicitor Act matters.

Year of Call: 2012

Areas of Expertise

Costs & Litigation Funding

Significant Cases

Finglands Coachways Ltd v Sebastian O’Hare [2014] EWHC 1513 (QB)

Represented the Appellant before Mr Justice Cranston concerning the correct approach to the application of proportionality in detailed assessment.

Oliver Havenga (a child suing by his Litigation Friend and Mother Julie Havenga) v Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust [2014] EWHC B25 (QB)

Successfully representing the Respondent in an Appeal addressing the correct approach of the Appeal court following a budgeting hearing.

Gareth Hahn v NHS England (2015) LTL 24/09/2015

Successfully representing the Respondent in an Appeal before HHJ Wood QC addressing whether the Court could adopt a broad-brush approach to the quantification of an ATE premium.

Simon Shirtcliffe v Sandra Elizabeth Baker (2013) LTL 4/4/2013

Interpretation of the RTA Protocol in respect of the time for payment following settlement of damages.

Kevin Johnson v Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and (2015) (Unreported)

Lead by Alexander Hutton QC before RCJ Besford in an action concerning 63 linked cases and the question of the costs of detailed assessment following issues of conduct.

Download Costs & Litigation Funding Profile

Publications

No Cost Lawyer an Island: Litigation Funding, August 2019, Issue 122

Ho and Howe: A Sword to the Cartwright Shield? Litigation Funding, June 2020.

Contributor to Patterson & Karim on Judicial Review, Third Edition, 2019.

Appointments

Deputy District Judge - Northern Circuit.

Board Member – Education Executive of the Association of Cost Lawyers.

Memberships

North Eastern Circuit

Association of Cost Lawyers

Qualifications

University of Leeds (LLB) 2003

Admitted to the Roll (2010)

Cost Lawyer (2011)

Dual Higher Rights of Audience (2011)

Mediator (2015)

Recommendations

Chambers UK 2023

"She has in-depth knowledge of the area and is a tenacious advocate."

"She is a fearless, tenacious advocate who provides no-nonsense, common-sense advice to clients."

"Erica has a strong depth of knowledge which is unparalleled."

Legal 500 2023

'Erica has great tenacity, drive, energy and client care, and she provides clear explanations and gets excellent results. She is a fearless advocate who is undaunted by any problems presented and she never fails to deliver.'

Chambers UK 2022

"Incredibly hard-working and knows costs backwards."

Legal 500 2022

"Always well-prepared, with an eye for detail and technically excellent."

Chambers UK 2021

"You always up your game when Erica is against you - her preparation is impeccable, she knows the case law and she's a devil for the detail." "Her written work is superb and the level of research she engages in is fantastic."

Legal 500, 2020

"Always stunningly well prepared. Excellent advocate with great courtroom presence."

"Can be relied upon to deliver excellent service in costs matters."

Chambers UK 2020

"Her technical knowledge is second to none and is well beyond her year of call. When you instruct her you can have every confidence that she will do the very best for the client." "Erica is a tenacious litigator. She has won consistently for us even when we thought we could not win, because of the power of her advocacy and arguments."

Chambers UK 2018

"Erica is always willing to go that extra mile for her clients. She is a bright advocate and always a pleasure to deal with."

Chambers UK 2017

"A skilled advocate who is professional in her manner and convincing both in her presentation to the court and in her advice to the firm." "She is a strong advocate and a pleasure to work with."

Chambers UK 2016

"Her knowledge of the CPR and case law is second to none and her application of case law to the problem in question is impressive. She is a formidable advocate, with lightning fast recall of case law and a rare ability to interpret the CPR."

"Erica has a strong work ethic, a personable approach and the ability to provide astute advice on a variety of issues."

Chambers UK 2015

“She’s got experience beyond her year of call. You get a lot more than you paid for, and she also gives the impression that she will work her hind legs off for you”

“She’s incredibly well prepared, very willing to help and excellent on her feet. She argues your corner until she’s blue in the face”