Position and Kain Knight Office
Legal Director – Manchester
Background
Gary graduated from the University of Manchester in 2011 with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and subsequently went into the practice of legal costs with an established firm in Manchester. Since his traineeship Gary has developed his expertise in a number of areas, including costs management and detailed assessment proceedings dealing with high value and complex costs matters, either in personal injury and commercial matters. In recent years Gary has also developed a specialism in After the Event (ATE) premium disputes and has been heavily involved at the forefront of key case law and decisions in this area, including:
– Axelrod v University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust (28 January 2016)
– Peterborough & Stamford Hospitals NHS Trust v McMenemy & Ors [2017] EWCA Civ 1941 (28 November 2017)
– West v Stockport NHS Foundation Trust [2019] EWCA Civ 1220 (17 July 2019)
Role & Responsibilities
Due to the recent success and growth in the Manchester office, Gary has been promoted to the role of Legal Director. In addition to his usual caseload, Gary’s main responsibilities include overseeing the entire inter partes caseload in the Manchester office, reporting to the Director (Nick McDonnell), managing allocations and providing technical and administrative support to all staff.
Gary continues to enjoy handling a complex and varied caseload, with an emphasis on Commercial, Civil and Catastrophic Injury litigation, including costs management & budgeting and detailed assessment proceedings.
Education & Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Manchester.
Interests
Gary appreciates anything sports related but is particularly keen on football and Formula One. He is an avid supporter of Manchester United and regular watches them play at Old Trafford. Gary’s other interests include travelling with his wife, watching movies and taking long walks with his dog, Loki.
Client Testimonials
“Technically expert, very commercially minded and exceptional with clients.”
Rupert Cohen – Costs Counsel, Landmark Chambers
“Kain Knight are an excellent costs law practice and we have used for many years. They are always on top of developments and are very knowledgeable and able advise on any technical points. They are always happy to help and adapt to complete any time sensitive work. They provide excellent client care. They are great advocates.”
Farhanah Ismail, Partner, Ralli Injury Lawyers
“We have been working with Kain Knight for a number of years and they have consistently proven their valued contribution to the legal sector. From referring a case, to finalising costs negotiations including budgeting, they demonstrate an exceptional level of dedication and proficiency. Their knowledge of costs law and regulations is evident throughout the process. Furthermore, their promptness and efficiency is commendable. Despite the complexity of different cases and, on occasions, tight deadlines we are faced with, they always deliver on time without compromising the quality of work. The team have excellent communication skills which plays a crucial role in maintaining a smooth working relationship. In addition to their professional skills, their friendly and approachable demeanour make it a pleasure to work with them. The team’s willingness to go the extra mile and provide guidance, at times, beyond the scope of their involvement demonstrate their genuine commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for SDS.
Overall, we are extremely satisfied with the services provided by Kain Knight. Having worked with a number of other companies in the past 24 years, we can confidently recommend Kain Knight to anyone in need of a reliable and competent costs draftsman.“
Victoria McCormack, Practice Manager, Sheldon Davidson Solicitors
