About Us
Our team:
Richard Jack, Costs Lawyer, Director and CILEx Fellow – Dual Qualified
Richard has been working in costs since 2000 and is interested in most areas of legal costs (probably spending a little too much time in the office reading the latest decisions and articles). Richard qualified as a Costs lawyer in 2010 and became a CILEx Fellow – Dual Qualified in 2023.
Richard often deals with high-value or complex inter partes claims where the costs can exceed £500,000 but is equally happy to work on smaller cases. Richard is comfortable as a paying or receiving party. He particularly enjoys negotiating with opponents and pushing for the best possible results.
In his spare time Richard enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the Lake District where he lives. Richard enjoys mountain biking and road and fell running and is a member of Derwent AC. He also enjoys Crossfit and cycling.
Contact Richard on:
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richard.jack@westlakeslegal.co.uk |
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01900 385285 |
Paul Mitchelhill, Costs Lawyer and CILEx Fellow – Dual Qualified
Paul began working in legal costs in 2007 and qualified as a Costs Lawyer in 2012. He became a CILEx Fellow – Dual Qualified in 2023. Paul has considerable experience in a broad range of areas, including clinical negligence, personal injury and commercial litigation.
Paul has a keen interest in costs and prides himself on providing a ‘second to none’ approach to client care. Prior to joining us (now over 10 years ago!), Paul had worked his way up from a trainee position to a senior role with a large firm of Law Costs Draftsmen.
Outside of the office Paul will mostly be found spending time with his family and lifting weights in the gym. In June 2026 Paul is undertaking a 50k walk through the Lake District to raise money for charity. He also enjoys going to gigs and supports Carlisle United.
Contact Paul on:
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paul.mitchelhill@westlakeslegal.co.uk |
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01900 515001 |
Mathew Bell, Costs Lawyer and CILEx Fellow – Dual Qualified
Mathew is an experienced Costs Lawyer who began working in legal costs in 2008. He qualified as a Costs Lawyer in 2012 and became a CILEx Fellow – dual qualified in 2023. Mathew excels in all areas, particularly commercial litigation, clinical negligence, and high value personal injury. He specialises in costs management and negotiations. Mathew is confident in working for paying or receiving parties.
Mathew has appeared as an advocate across the country in detailed assessment hearings and other costs related hearings.
In his leisure time Mathew enjoys cycling, running, five-aside football and supporting Carlisle United. He also enjoys adventures in his campervan with his young family.
Contact Mathew on:
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mathew.bell@westlakeslegal.co.uk |
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01900 515002 |
Robert Parness, Costs Lawyer
Robert has over 25 years’ experience in civil costs, representing both paying and receiving parties in all aspects of civil costs from bill drafting through to detailed assessment hearings as well as advising clients on technical points of costs law. Robert qualified as Costs lawyer in 2009.
Robert currently represents a number of nationally recognised firms, particularly in the field of clinical negligence. He appears in Courts all over the country both at detailed assessment and costs management hearings. A veteran of assessment hearings, including days long appointments in the SCCO, Robert has the knowledge and experience to advise clients accurately in difficult situations. Rob has also been a contributor to various legal journals over the years.
Away from the office, Robert enjoys spending time with family and friends. He is a keen weight-lifter.
Contact Robert on:
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robert.parness@westlakeslegal.co.uk |
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01900 515003 |
Ben Simpson Costs Lawyer and CILEx Fellow – Dual Qualified
Ben became a Law Costs Draftsman after completing his law degree (LLB) in 2010. Ben has extensive experience in costs and qualified as a Costs Lawyer in 2019. He became a CILEx Fellow – dual qualified in 2023.
In this time Ben has accumulated experience in a very wide range of costs matters, undertaking work for both paying and receiving parties in areas including high-value personal injury, clinical negligence, professional negligence, immigration, land disputes and high-value contractual disputes. He is familiar with all aspects of costs work including bill drafting, costs budgeting and advising / negotiating at all levels, including the Supreme Court.
In his spare time Ben enjoys various sports and is a regular at his local Crossfit gym. He also enjoys socialising, and spending time with family and friends. A big Carlisle United fan, Ben shares his enthusiasm with his young family.
Contact Ben on:
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ben.simpson@westlakeslegal.co.uk |
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01900 515004 |
Josh Simpson, Costs Draftsman
Josh is an experienced Costs Draftsman who has been working in the field of costs since 2012. He deals with all aspects of bill drafting and costs budgeting, specialising in high value clinical negligence and personal injury costs. His attention to detail and knowledge allow him to draft high value bills of costs in order to maximise costs recovery.
Josh is an excellent footballer and captains Carlisle City FC. He enjoys travelling, eating out and spending time in the Lake District with his wife.
Contact Josh on:
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josh.simpson@westlakeslegal.co.uk |
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01900 515005 |
Tasmin Rees, Costs Draftsman
Tasmin has worked in costs since 2002. Over the years she has dealt with a wide variety of work including clinical negligence, personal injury, inheritance, property and immigration.
She has prepared Bills for Tribunals, County and High Courts, and the Supreme Court. She is also experienced in costs budgeting, negotiations and preparing Points of Dispute.
Tasmin has an interest in Roman history, enjoys travelling and regularly volunteers at a local archaeological dig. In her spare time she can also be found walking and camping in the Lake District.
Contact Tasmin on:
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tasmin.rees@westlakeslegal.co.uk |
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01900 515026 |
Jemma Jack, Office Manager and Director
Jemma obtained a Law degree from Liverpool University in 2002 and went on to work in a number of management roles in large corporate environments as well as smaller family firms. She began working full-time for West Lakes Legal in 2017.
As office manager, Jemma ensures the smooth running of the business. She oversees every aspect of the firm including human resources, data protection compliance, accounts and client care.
When not at work Jemma can often be found running around after her teenage children! She loves paddle-boarding near her home in the Lake District and also enjoys running (but nothing more than a 10k!).
Contact Jemma on:
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jemma.jack@westlakeslegal.co.uk |