Appeal must be based on valid criticism

Sibley & Co v Reachbyte Ltd and another [2008] EWHC 2665 ChD 4 November

This was an appeal against the reduction of counsels’ fees on a detailed assessment. The total amount sought for leading counsel was £151,970, which was reduced to £64,835 and, for junior counsel, fees claimed of £77,230 were reduced to £31,625. After hearing evidence over five days, the deputy master had concluded that some of the work undertaken by counsel had not been agreed to or was beyond the scope of the instructions.