Who We Are
Our History
Having previously practised as a solicitor for a number of years carrying out contentious and non-contentious work, I recognised the difficulties regularly encountered by firms in their efforts to maximise their profits with the minimum of fee earning time lost. In 1992, I began working as a costs draftsman and over time I became increasingly aware that the quality of the costing services being provided to many firms of solicitors could be significantly improved. In 1998, I set up my own costing business.
Our Costing Team
Deborah Burke is a non-practising solicitor and co-director with more than eighteen years' experience of costing work. Deborah is a costs lawyer and is a member of the Council of the Association of Costs Lawyers (ACL). She has completed the ACL's advocacy course to gain rights of audience and the right to conduct litigation. She has extensive experience of all types of costs work including complex multi-party group action work.
Victoria Hopkins is a costs lawyer, Vice Chairman of the ACL and advocate with a particular interest in commercial and solicitor/client costs. She has also developed additional roles such as assessor for the Law Society's Remuneration Certificate Department, tutor for the Association of Costs Lawyers training course and speaker at various conferences and seminars.
Karen Holdsworth joined Deborah Burke Costing Limited in July 2005 and as Office Manager is responsible for the smooth running of all office systems. She is responsible for the day to day running of the office. Since January 2009 Karen has been a costs draftsman and in this time has gained considerable experience and skill in preparing claims for costs in both civil and legally aided cases.
Michelle Farlow is a law graduate who successfully passed her legal practice course in September 2009. Michelle joined Deborah Burke Costing Limited in July 2009 and is now a trainee costs lawyer currently undertaking the ACL modular training course. She has considerable experience in legal aid billing and preparation of high cost case plans and is now also training in costs negotiation.
Sarah Hemsworth graduated in July 2009 having completed a law sandwich course, and joined Deborah Burke Costing Limited in October 2010 as a trainee costs draftsman. She is increasing her knowledge of all aspects of legal costing and costs negotiations while providing valuable administrational support.
Our Support Team
Martin Burke is a co-director and has a background in management. As well as being responsible for the development and marketing of the business and our publication Costs Analysis, he also ensures that high standards of content and presentation within our bills of costs are maintained.
Maria Jenkinson is a legal secretary and has been with Deborah Burke Costing Limited since April 2002. Maria co-ordinates the production and distribution of Costs Analysis and maintains the company website. She is also responsible for checking the accuracy of all documentation produced.
Vanessa Hirst has day to day control of all aspects of the financial side of the business, including liaising with clients on payment of invoices and operating our accounts system. Vanessa also assists with booking in files and typing, and oversees our databases and human resources requirements.