Meet the team

Name: Rebecca Bidwell

Location: Alfreton Office

Cost Drafting History:

Rebecca Bidwell started her full time costing career in 2008 at the John M Hayes Partnership which included both legal aid and inter partes cases. Prior to this she worked part time from 2006 dealing with negotiating costs for a team of 22 fee earners specialising in personal injury cases.

Qualifications: Non-practising Legal Executive

Rebecca worked as a civil litigation fee earner for eight years prior to developing her career in costs. Rebecca has a rounded experience of both legal aid and inter partes cases and specialises in legally aided high costs cases and the preparation of high costs case plans.

She has managed offices from 2011 and heads up the business development department of Bidwell Henderson.

Rebecca spends most of her time on marketing and recruitment. She is a proficient speaker and enjoys presenting seminars helping clients increase profitability.

Rebecca works closely with Business Development Assistant Chelsea Allcock.

Profile:

Rebecca loves all things marketing and outside of the office she can usually be found creating new ideas and projects or attending marketing courses. She has two young children with co-director Mark Bidwell in addition to a giant Labrador x Collie.

Claim to Fame:

Rebecca has been on the front page of the Derbyshire Times and was an extra in the film The Duchess.

Favourite movie:

The Intern.

Name: Ann Henderson

Location: Alfreton Office

Costs Drafting History: Ann began working in Legal Aid in 1999 and started her costs drafting career in 2012.

Qualifications: Non-practising Solicitor

Ann has many years’ of experience in legal aid, beginning in 1999, and started her legal career when the Green Form Scheme was in use! Ann qualified as a solicitor with Marcus Barnett solicitors in 2002 and thereafter spent 10 years with a busy North London legal aid practice, Burke Niazi solicitors, specialising in family law. She later became a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel.

In 2012 Ann retrained as a Law Costs Draftsman and in 2014, co-founded Bidwell Henderson CC Ltd and established her role as a Director of the firm and is our first point contact for Legal Aid matters. Ann has experienced first-hand the demands and pressures of legal aid billing and understands the billing process from a Fee Earner’s perspective.

Understanding the importance of attention to detail and getting it absolutely right when preparing claims to be considered by the Legal Aid Agency; Ann is meticulous in her approach and prides herself in providing a personal bespoke service with a proven track record of assisting legal aid clients reduce their rejection rates.

Ann regularly prepares complex High Costs Case Plans and advises on negotiations of High Costs Case Contracts with the Legal Aid Agency. She recognises that legal aid billing for high cost cases can be particularly challenging and failure to meet LAA deadlines can have serious financial implications for firms.

Ann also has significant experience of 6 Column Bills (Legal Aid with Inter Parties element) and undertakes negotiations and provides advice on settlement.

In an ever changing Legal Aid landscape, fewer cost drafting firms than ever are offering Legal Aid billing services but Ann understands the importance of maximising costs and frequently provides assistance and advice in relation to Assessed Bills and Claims, and Legal Aid Agency rejections.

Claim to Fame: Ann has met Prince.

“Ann Henderson is fantastic. Her knowledge of the Legal Aid Agency’s procedure, rules and guidelines is second to none. She has a huge amount of experience and as a result there doesn’t seem to be a legal aid related scenario she hasn’t come across. I have found that Ann is always extremely willing to assist with any queries I have and will go above and beyond to ensure I receive a useful, substantive response, often quoting the LAA’s Costs Assessment Guidance, very quickly. She has the knack of making everything easy to understand and follow.”

Abbie Huxley of Burke Niazi Solicitors

Name: David Smith

Location: Newcastle

Costs Drafting History: David Smith began his career in costs in 2001.

Qualifications: BSc Hons Mathematics

David has worked as a Costs Draftsman since starting as a trainee in 2001, developing a particular specialism in legal aid costs and especially family legal aid. He gradually started to become more involved with training and was responsible for creating the Training Programme at his previous company.

He has been using CCMS since the pilot in the North East in 2013 and was subsequently part of the pilot for XML claim upload. David also became involved in the Billing Group that was providing feedback to the LAA on billing in the system during the early days of CCMS.

David has presented various seminars and workshops around the country for firms of solicitors looking at maximising legal aid costs and also providing updates whenever new fee schemes are introduced. This has also included being a guest speaker at the LAPG annual conference on various occasions.

David Smith became Training Manager at Bidwell Henderson in January 2018 and has been working on the company training programme in addition to setting up the Newcastle office.

Profile: Formerly a keen sportsman playing both cricket and football, now just an enthusiastic supporter/spectator. Season ticket holder at Middlesbrough FC.

Claim to Fame: In his spare time he dabbles in music production, and he has had tracks played on local and national radio.

Favourite TV Genre: The Wire & The Sopranos, plus of course Postman Pat and Thomas the Tank Engine with his son.

“I find the Cost Draftsman at Bidwell Henderson very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend their services”.

Denise Cowley, DMA Law

Name: Katie Stewart

Location: Mansfield

Qualifications: BSC Dual Honours Geography & Geology

BHCC History: Katie Stewart joined the Bidwell Henderson team in June 2016.

Katie has worked in administration and sales for over 17 years with 10 years of these in management. At BHCC she is now responsible for the exceptional team of consultants that we have and oversees the work that is allocated to them.

Profile: When her 4-year-old twins are not keeping her busy, she enjoys running, reading and socialising when possible!

Claim to fame: She was once in panto with Grotbags.

Favourite TV Genres: Crime and dramas

“Katie is highly proficient, friendly and always willing to help regardless of the task. A very professional individual who takes a pragmatic approach to her work. All in all, an excellent asset to the Bidwell Henderson team.”
Jonathan Duke of Burke Niazi Solicitors

“Katie is an asset to this company. She is proactive rather than reactive. She offers excellent ideas and solutions and has been heavily involved in our IT transformation project.”
Ann Henderson, Director of Bidwell Henderson

Name: Mike Hopkinson

Location: Chesterfield

Qualifications: NEBS Business Management and an Engineering Degree

BHCC History: Mike Hopkinson joined the team in July 2015.

Mike manages the team of administrators including Gemma James, Emily Bird and Alicia Martin.

Profile: Over an 8 year period Mike has restored a 1930 Motor car and exhibited it at the NEC and won a distinction in his class, he is currently restoring a couple of Classic Bikes.

Claim to fame: Many, many years ago he played football for Chesterfield School boys and Basketball for Derbyshire.

Favourite TV genre: American motor programmes.

“I have worked with Mike for just under 2 years and he is a pleasure to work with. His professionalism and attention to detail is second to none and he will always make sure the work is carried out to the best of his ability. Mike is always on hand to advise where required but, is also keen for all members of the admin team to contribute with ideas to help continuously improve our system. He regards everyone as a valued member of staff which is often one of the key factors to a happy workplace.”

Katie Stewart, Consultant Liaison Manager

Name: Robert Kerr

Location: Manchester

Qualifications: LLB (Hons) University of Manchester and Costs Lawyer

Costs Drafting History: Robert began his cost drafting career in December 2010.

Rob is the Team Leader of the Inter Partes Department and responsible for both our team of Costs Lawyers and our trainees in this department. He takes great pride in training and developing trainees to be the future of the industry.

Rob has experience across a wide range of matters (including legal aid) but now specialises in inter partes disputes. Rob typically deals with clinical negligence, professional negligence and commercial matters including high value matters where costs are in excess of £500,000. He accepts instructions on behalf of both paying and receiving parties and deals with all aspects of the costs process including budgeting, bills of costs, Points of Dispute/Replies and other costs pleadings. Rob also accepts instructions to attend CCMC’s and detailed assessment hearings.

Profile: Outside of work Robert is a keen musician and enjoys going to gigs and festivals. Robert is also a keen footballer and proud Liverpool fan.

Claim to fame: He once met Princess Diana.

Favourite film/TV genre: Training Day; Flight of the Conchords.

Name: Adam Fox

Qualifications: Law Degree – LLB(Hons), Bar Professional Training Course – BPTC – LgDip and Costs Lawyer

Costs Drafting History: Adam began his career in costs in 2011.

Adam began his career in law as a costs draftsman at a small local costs consultancy following completion of the Bar Professional Training Course progressing on to work in-house for a large city centre solicitors firm and a national costs practice before joining Bidwell Henderson.

In his previous role, Adam established himself as one of the primary Costs Lawyer advocates for a large national costs firms, attending over 100 Hearings, including Applications, Costs Case Management Conferences and Detailed Assessment Hearings across the length and breadth of the country.

Adam has experience in all areas of legal costs but specialises primarily in inter-partes matters. In the past, Adam has prepared costs budgets in large Group Litigation matters, as well as acting in costs proceedings relating to clinical negligence, personal injury and commercial disputes to list a small sample of areas. Adam regularly deals with high value costs claims and has experience in dealing with matters from preparation of the budget and bill all the way through to detailed assessment hearing.

Having experience working for both paying and receiving parties in all aspects of inter-partes work including the preparation of costs budgets, bills, electronic or e-bills, statements of costs, points of dispute and replies and other costs pleadings, Adam is accepts instructions to advise in relation to costs matters and also appear as an advocate at assessment hearings.

Finally, Adam has acted for Litigants in Person and those no longer represented by solicitors in numerous matters and provides simple and straightforward advice absent of legalese for all such clients.

Profile: Away from work, Adam plays rugby and is a long suffering supporter of Swindon Town Football Club

Favourite TV genre: Game of Thrones

Name: Gemma Vallance

Location: Alfreton

Qualifications: A-levels in Maths, PE, Business studies, and Sociology & NVQ level 3 in business administration

BHCC History: Gemma joined the BH team in April 2016.

Background in administration and accounts led Gemma into the role of High Cost case co-ordinator/Processing supervisor, getting cases smoothly through the LAA/CCMS system and dealing with any queries and  deadlines as they arise.

Profile: Gemma loves playing netball, spending time with her sons Max and Ben, and watching them play football at the weekends.

Claim to fame: Gemma held the record for the girls longest discus throw all through secondary school and threw for Derbyshire.

Favourite film: Champ but Dirty Dancing is a close second

“Gemma is always available to assist and completely reliable. A pleasure to work with.”

Aqeela Hafeez – Goodman Ray Solicitors

Name: Beth Brayshaw

Location: Rotherham

Qualifications/Degrees/Professional Status: BSc Hons Maths and Business 2:1

Costs Drafting History: Beth joined Bidwell Henderson as a Trainee Costs Draftsperson in August 2021.

• Care and Supervision Orders
• Discharge of Care Orders
• Emergency Protection Orders
• Child Arrangement Orders: Residential and Contact
• Domestic Abuse

Something we wouldn’t know about you: Beth used to dress up as a mascot which involved dressing up as a giant goat.

Profile: Beth enjoys long, muddy walks with her partner and their dog. She also likes to bake and share those bakes with friends and family.

Favourite film or TV genre: Beth’s favourite film would be the jungle book and her favourite TV programme would be The US Office.

Name: Heather Shipley

Location: Birmingham

Qualifications: 2:1 BA Hons in French from the University of Nottingham

Costs Drafting History: Heather began her career in costs in 2011 and joined Bidwell Henderson in 2016.

In her role as Efficiency and Productivity Manager, Heather predominantly works closely with trainees to develop their costing skills in the most effective way, presenting group sessions and 1:1 tutorials. Heather demonstrates a meticulous and pragmatic approach to costs drafting which provides an excellent foundation for trainees to develop their own style.

Heather also maintains her own busy caseload of costing, and is conversant in all aspects of Legal Aid billing, with a specialism in complex High Costs cases, public and private law matters and Court of Protection cases.

Profile: Never a fan of standing still, in her spare time Heather loves to spend time with her 2 young children and 3 labradors. She also loves travelling and is aiming to tick every continent off the list by the time she’s 40!

Favourite TV genre: Crime Dramas

“I have used Heather Shipley for some time now and her drafting of bills is impeccable, nothing is too much trouble and she is always on hand for queries and costs advice. Bills are drafted correctly and the files come back in exactly the same condition they leave me. Bidwell Henderson turn the files round really quickly and everything is sorted for ease of assessment. I am so pleased with the loyal and friendly service both Heather and Bidwell Henderson offer, if only all firms were this brilliant.”
Shona Smalley, Law Costs Drafter at Jackson West Solicitors

“Heather Shipley has a wealth of knowledge and is extremely passionate about what she does. Heather has been there to assist me every step of the way in a complex High Cost Case; I would have been lost without her. She works tirelessly to ensure that deadlines are met, costs are maximised and to answer my many queries. Heather is a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend her.”
Abbie Huxley, Solicitor at Burke Niazi Solicitors

Name: Roman White

Location: Head Office

Qualifications: GCSE Maths, English and IT at a grade B or higher and BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration

BHCC History: Roman White joined the firm on the 17 June 2019 as an Administration Apprentice. Roman assisted us with work experience prior to this time and was offered a full time job in June. Roman then went on to assist our administration team with photocopying, scanning, booking in files and reception duties. He also assisted our processing department. In the processing department, he uploaded documents online, he created invoices for the work that he did, he sent the invoices for work that has been done throughout the business to the clients and he sent out the progress for files to the clients. Roman now fully works in the IT department at Bidwell Henderson. In the IT department he manages day to day IT Issues, researching tasks and ensures that the system is working as efficiently as possible for the rest of Bidwell Henderson.

Profile: Roman enjoys playing football, watching TV and playing games, He also likes to solve puzzles and mathematical problems.

Favourite TV genre: Avengers / most Marvel movies.

Name: Gemma James

Location: Alfreton

Qualifications: AS Levels in English & Geography. NVQ Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration

BHCC History: Gemma James joined the Bidwell Henderson team in October 2017.

Profile: Gemma has a 8-year-old daughter. She likes to go out walking and exploring the Derbyshire Countryside. When she has the time, she enjoys going to fitness classes, and weekends away with friends.

Gemma worked in Lettings for about 8 years, so has lots of customer service and admin experience, but since having her daughter she wanted to do something different and enjoys working part-time now, so she can spend time at home.

Claim to fame: Gemma met Eddie Jordan at Dubai airport (didn’t actually know who he was at the time though), and Jennifer Metcalfe on a night out in Manchester.

Favourite film/TV genre: Gemma loves a crime drama/documentary.

“Gemma is a delight to work with. She is accurate, has excellent time keeping and is always enthusiastic about our projects and future plans. She is a key member of the team and we would be lost without her.”

Mark Bidwell, Director

Name: Emily Bird

Location: Kirkby in Ashfield

Qualifications: GCSE’s, Sales and Customer Service Diploma, and an IT Diploma.

BHCC History: Emily joined the Bidwell Henderson team in March 2018.

Profile: She has worked previously in admin, customer services, sales, and marketing. Emily also spent time working abroad in Ibiza, Tenerife and France.

Emily is a mum to 2 small children and spends most of her free time with them. However she does like to read, workout, cook, eat out and drink wine.

Claim to fame: Emily Bird was in a Pantomime

Favourite film/TV genre: She loves 80s films such as The Goonies, Back to the Future and Dirty Dancing.

Name: Alicia Martin

Location: Selston, Nottingham

Qualifications: A Level – Geography, Psychology and Media Studies

BHCC History: Alicia joined Bidwell Henderson in September 2022.

Profile: Alicia enjoys shopping, as well as creative activities. Before lockdown, she did horse riding and has recently learnt how to drive.

Something we wouldn’t know about you: I was in the local newspaper for running 5k in primary school

Favourite TV Show: Pretty Little Liars

Name: Jean Radford

Location: Sutton-in-Ashfield

BHCC History: Jean joined BH as a Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice.

Profile: Her hobbies are doing hair and beauty. Also, she enjoys camping with her partner and spending time with her friends and family.

Something we wouldn’t know about you: During lockdown, Jean and her partner woke up early one morning and followed a local trend of walking a Marathon (26.2 miles).

Favourite Tv shows/film genre: Jean enjoys watching The Vampires Diaries, TOWIE and comedy shows.