Master Hurst has delivered a blow to the use of cost negotiators by insurance companies in a new ruling announced today.
The ruling, in the case of Ahmed v Powell, concerned the right of audience of N L Grant Legal Costs Management in a dispute about costs following a road traffic accident.
Cornhill's panel solicitors Beachcroft Wansbroughs, sought to be represented in court by Grant's over costs discussions, but Grant's representatives were denied rights of audience.
Master Hurst found that Grant's representative did not have rights of audience and that the "terms of payment pursuant to which Mr Swallow appeared at that hearing were champertous."
