Francesca Rigo – Consultant Costs Lawyer -

Name: Francesca Rigo

Location: Colchester

Costs Drafting History: 4 years

Qualifications: Law Degree (LLB) (2:1), LPC (Merit), Non-Practicing Solicitor and Costs Lawyer (Distinction)

I started working as a Paralegal in 2011 and I qualified as a Solicitor in 2015 in specialising in Family Law. During my time working as a Paralegal and Trainee Solicitor, I assisted the in house Costs Department and really enjoyed the work. As a result of this, I embarked upon the Association of Costs Lawyers course in 2015 and qualified as a Costs Lawyer in 2018.

I now specialise in Family Legal Costs with a particular interest in High Costs Cases including traditional fully costsed case plans and events case plans. I am also able to draft CLAIM1s, CLAIM1As, CCMS E-Bills and Bill of Costs.

I have experience in Legal Helps including billing. I also assisted, in my previous role, with LAA audits of Legal Help files.

In my previous role, I provided training on assessing eligibility for Legal Aid to the Housing and Family Department. I also provided training on work that was in and out of scope following on from the introduction of the Legal Aid and Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act and the evidential requirements that would be needed in order to assist clients in family matters.

Profile: In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching films/documentaries, cooking and spending time with my family and friends. I am due my first baby in March 2019 so I am sure this will be a very busy and exciting year!

Claim to Fame: I achieved Grade 7 of 8 in singing – not that I do it anymore!

Favourite Movie/TV Genre: One of my favourite films is Bridesmaids! I also enjoy a good thriller or a documentary (particularly crime ones!).

 

“...I have found them very knowledgeable and full of expertise In Legal Aid, Inter partes and High costs cases.

They are always at the end of the phone or email if myself or anyone else in the firm have a billing enquiry and would highly recommend them to any legal firm
”

Danielle Conaghan - Edwards Duthie Solicitors

“Having instructed Bidwell Henderson since they formed in 2014, I can say with enormous confidence that their Costs Draftsmen are the most knowledgeable, efficient and friendly Costs Draftsmen I have had the pleasure of working with.”

Abbie Huxley - Burke Niazi Solicitors

“KK Law have used many cost draftsman firms within the last 10 years but have finally found the firm that is the right fit for us ”

Their service is professional, efficient, accurate and they turn our files around quickly. The Admin, accounts and cost draftsman team are all friendly and knowledgeable.
I would not hesitate to recommend Bidwell Henderson to anyone in the legal profession, they have always gone the extra mile on all of our cases both standard and complex to help expedite our bill payment.

Heidi Murphy, KK Law

“I would have no hesitation in recommending their drafting and processing services.”

As one of our key strategic partners we have found Bidwell Henderson to be a very forward thinking and highly professional law costs drafting firm. They should be commended on their continual investment in staff training, quality controls and GDPR principles.

Specialising in billing through Tikit P4W they fit with our services portfolio perfectly. They consistently hit the mark first time – demonstrating the quality of their work and professionalism of their team, whilst more importantly improving client cashflow.

Gary Shaw, Accesspoint Legal

“The Bidwell Henderson team are an absolute pleasure to deal with”

The Bidwell Henderson team are an absolute pleasure to deal with as they are all so helpful and accommodating and deliver client focused services to suit business needs.

In addition to providing an efficient, tailored and exceptionally pro-active service – they strike the perfect balance of friendly and professional.

Kelly Pashley-Handford, Spencers Solicitors

“I have been practicing for almost 20 years and without a doubt Bidwell Henderson are the best cost lawyers and draftsmen I have ever instructed”

I have always found their managers and draftsmen to have detailed knowledge of current costs’ law, our case management system and to be knowledgeable and personable.
The managers Ann Henderson and Rebecca Bidwell are always on hand to support their cost draftsmen, and their strategic knowledge of how to manage the Legal Aid Agency costing process is invaluable and impressive.

Deborah Piccos, TV Edwards Solicitors