Simon is a Chartered Legal Executive and CILEX Fellow, having been admitted in 2009. Before joining MRN, he spent over 14 years at Kennedys Law LLP, where he held the position of Senior Associate and developed extensive experience in costs law, particularly acting for paying parties.

Simon is the Head of Department – Housing Disrepair Paying Party at MRN. In this role, he is responsible for the day-to-day management of a team of Housing Disrepair costs specialists, ensuring cases run smoothly from inception through to conclusion. A key part of his role involves providing bespoke costs training to both professional clients and colleagues, with a focus on Housing Disrepair costs law and effective case management practices.

His specialist expertise lies in Housing Disrepair costs, alongside significant experience in disease litigation, including high-value asbestos claims. He also has experience across multi-track Employers’ Liability and Public Liability matters, as well as RTA costs. Acting exclusively for paying parties, Simon’s work includes considering and advising on Bills of Costs, setting appropriate reserves, preparing formal Points of Dispute, reviewing Points of Reply, advising on tactics, and conducting negotiations. He also has experience preparing and negotiating costs budgets, drafting Precedent T documentation, undertaking Budget Discussion Reports, and attending Costs and Case Management Conferences on behalf of paying parties. Simon’s role is essential in ensuring the effective running of cases and in maintaining high standards across the department, with a strong emphasis on training staff to identify key issues and challenge receiving parties’ Bills of Costs appropriately. He is particularly committed to delivering an excellent level of client service, tailoring his approach to individual client needs, providing regular updates, and ensuring advice is clear, concise, and commercially focused.

One of Simon’s most notable cases involved acting for a paying party in a contentious Noise-Induced Hearing Loss costs claim. Following a review of the Bill of Costs, inconsistencies were identified between the Claimant’s previously stated date of knowledge and evidence showing earlier instruction of solicitors. Simon advised on lifting the automatic stay arising from a Part 36 settlement and pursuing the Claimant for fraudulent misrepresentation or negligent misstatement. As a result, the Claimant withdrew their costs claim, repaid all damages, and paid the Defendant’s substantive and assessment costs.

Among Simon’s greatest professional accomplishments is introducing numerous Housing Disrepair clients to his previous firm, which led to the successful development of a dedicated team within the costs department.

Simon is passionate about his work and takes pride in achieving the highest levels of client satisfaction. He is particularly skilled at managing client expectations, even where difficult conversations are required, and is known for building strong client relationships and conducting effective negotiations with opposing parties.

Outside of work, Simon has a strong interest in rugby, having played for several teams in his younger years. He enjoys country walks and spending time with family and loved ones. His greatest personal accomplishment is his family; he is a proud father to two daughters, aged eight and two, whom he describes as his constant support and motivation.