Marc Banyard

BA (Hons) MA
Costs Lawyer

Marc joined John M Hayes in 2001 having graduated from the University of Wales, Cardiff with a BA (Hons) Degree and an MA in English Literature.  He qualified as a Costs Lawyer in 2010. 

Over the course of his career, Marc has the rare distinction of having been instructed on the costs of both the most expensive criminal investigation in English legal history (recovering the costs of an acquitted Defendant in the prosecutions arising from the Hillsborough disaster) and the largest civil action in English legal history (having been instructed by one of the lead manufacturers in the ongoing Diesel emissions group litigations).  He has dealt with a number of multi-million pound claims from cradle to grave and is able to bring commercial pragmatism to tactical decision making.

Marc has a particular interest in the more niche areas of costs law and is happy to accept instructions in forums where few others practice.  He has particularly expertise in planning law matters (in respect of which he has advised local authorities the length and breadth of the country), non-contentious costs (with a particular emphasis on estate administrations) and very high-cost criminal matters.  In addition, he assists with costs management on a broad swathe of primarily property, trusts and probate actions.

As advocate, Marc has been instructed on a number of multi-day hearings of six-figure sums often against Counsel. Highlights including successfully arguing that costs were disproportionate in what is understood to be this jurisdictions first successful Twitter libel action, successfully arguing that there existed no prohibition in law against the recovery of costs of two firms acting in parallel in complex Trustee proceedings and reducing a claim under the Equality Act 2010 by over 80% on detailed assessment.

Marc frequently acts as an expert witness for the Solicitors Regulation Authority in cases of alleged overcharging and has also provided expert evidence for the Crown in prosecutions against former Solicitors.  Marc has given evidence in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal on a number of occasions and has been described by the Tribunal as ‘a credible, measured, knowledgeable and helpful witness’. 

Marc has previously contributed to Butterworths Personal Injury Litigation Services and has assisted with the editing of Jowitt’s Dictionary of English Law.  In his spare time, he is studying for a doctorate in law taking as the subject of his thesis the English costs-shifting rule.  He has an academic interest in both the costs rules in foreign jurisdictions and the history of costs rules in this jurisdiction. 

What Others Say

In my 40+ years in the law, I have worked with a very large number and wide range of experts, and I rank Marc in the top division. His advice, assistance and support for me and my firm in a substantial, complex and document-heavy criminal case costs matter, in which the incurred costs exceeded £16 million, has been not only exceptional but absolutely vital … He is able to assist with strategic thinking and planning, as well as decisions on even the smallest of details. He readily identifies areas of concern or potential issue, and explains very clearly the factors involved so that an informed decision can be made. His knowledge is encyclopaedic. His documentary work is first class, and he is a very good communicator, always promptly, fully and helpfully responding and explaining.

Ian McCombie, Partner at Ward Hadaway LLP

Marc is easily the best costs lawyer I have ever worked with. We instructed him on a significant costs budgeting exercise which Marc dealt with exceptionally well. His experience and in-depth knowledge of the costs rules combined with his clear and responsive communication made the whole process run very smoothly, and achieved a good outcome for the client. He is also a pleasure to work with.  I wholeheartedly recommend Marc for anyone seeking top-tier legal costs services.

Becca Hogan, Partner at Signature Litigation LLP