Katie Barrass

Costs draftsperson

Katie has experience in all aspects of the costs process, including preparation and negotiation of costs budgets (attending the CCMC when required); preparation of schedules of costs for various hearings, applications and mediation; attendance at costs mediation; and the preparation and negotiation of complex and high value bills of costs.

Where a costs claim cannot be settled through negotiation, Katie has experience in preparing detailed points of dispute and points in reply dealing with points in principle, including retainer/funding issues, and arguments over the time claimed. Her costs experience began in 2013, following three years spent as a personal injury claims handler and after working as a County Court advocate dealing with a variety of case types including approval hearings in personal injury and medical negligence claims.

I am a costs draftsperson and Cilex advanced paralegal preparing and advising on a range of costs claims. I have experience in particularly sensitive cases and have previously been sought out for my ability to present a detailed narrative showing understanding of such cases in order to justify the costs claimed.

Katie Barrass, Costs draftsperson

Katie joined the firm in 2023, having previously worked in-house as a costs draftsperson and costs team manager at a firm dealing predominately with medical negligence, actions against the police and high-profile public inquiries. She also has experience in dealing with defendant costs, particularly in relation to cross-jurisdictional claims, and with group litigation. A key part of her role has been advising on costs issues and tactical points, with a focus on case progression.

Recent work highlights

Breach of contract claim

Assisting with the preparation of a complex phased costs schedule in respect of a breach of contract claim, with costs in excess of £1.2 million being pursued.

Greek maritime case

Drafting complex application costs in excess of £100,000 for jurisdiction and limitation issues in a Greek maritime case heard in the Admiralty Court. This also required submissions on the VAT position between the insurer, individual and Greek company.

£5.4 million settlement

Drafting a complex bill of costs for a protected party in a clinical negligence case where the claimant sustained an acquired brain injury due to acute profound hypoxia. The claim settled for £5.4 million plus periodical payments.

High profile inquiries

Drafting bills and assisting with costing in relation to high profile public inquiries including Grenfell, the Manchester Arena bombing and the Post Office Inquiry and the civil claims arising from them.