Dr Mark Friston of Hailsham Chambers in London has practised costs law for over 25 years. He is widely recognised as a leading expert on costs and has a particular interest in transactional costs (namely, the contractual aspects of costs and funding, and investment in legal services in general). He has also sat as Deputy Master in the Senior Courts Costs Office for more than a decade.
Review from previous edition Anyone thinking of writing a comprehensive guide to the law and history of civil costs should concede defeat now and accept that they could never emulate what ought now be to be regarded as the definitive bible of this generation. * Professor Dominic Regan, New Law Journal * The overall scope of the book is an encyclopaedic as ever. ... No topic - however obscure - appears to have been overlooked. The author deserves the undying gratitude of the rest of the costs profession. * Simon Gibbs, Legal Costs Blog * [C]overing all aspects of the law of civil costs ... It's undoubtedly an invaluable resource for costs judges and practitioners alike. * Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, and Elizabeth Taylor, Richmond Green Chamber * All those engaged in costs recognise the purple book as indispensable as the white or green books. It is an invaluable resource for those attempting to manoeuvre the complex and fast paced area of legal costs because it is the only resource to set out how and why a rule works. It will rightly adorn the desk of many a Judge and practitioner. * Jack Ridgway, Chairman of the Association of Costs Lawyers * Friston is highly recommended for anyone operating within civil litigation, whether as a litigation lawyer, a costs lawyer or a costs judge - its utility cannot be overstated. * Roisin O'Dubhlaoidh, The Gazette *