Jonathan Cosgrove

Year of Call: 2015

Education

The University of Manchester – Law (LLB)
BPP University – BPTC
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple – Christopher Benson Scholar

Professional Memberships

Personal Injuries Bar Association
Northern Circuit

Jonathan specialises in the fields of personal injury and costs. He appears for both Claimants and Defendants, appearing in courts of all levels.

Jonathan accepts instructions for all trials (multi-track, fast-track, and small claims), interim applications, and other final hearings such as Stage 3 & OIC quantum disputes.

Prior to joining 18 St John Street, Jonathan completed a personal injury pupillage at an international law firm before practising as an employed barrister for a number of years. It was during this period that Jonathan gained experience in defending fraudulent claims, conducting trials that concerned allegations of phantom passengers, exaggerated injuries, and deliberate layering.

As part of his personal injury practice, Jonathan is regularly instructed on employers’ liability, public liability, and road traffic accident claims. As part of his costs practice, Jonathan is routinely instructed by both paying parties and receiving parties to conduct detailed assessment hearings on their behalf.

Jonathan has extensive experience in dealing with cases under the old fixed costs regime, the removal of QOCS, and applications for a finding of ‘exceptional circumstances’ under CPR r45.29J. Jonathan has also kept a keen eye on the changes brought into force by the Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2023 and has already started to advise clients on the new fixed-costs regime post 1 October 2023 by carrying out training and conducting seminars.

Jonathan has also been successful in using the case of Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust v Hoskin [2023] 5 WLUK 390 in persuading courts to order breakdowns of the costs between experts and medical agencies. More recently, Jonathan has also had success in obtaining orders within the wasted costs jurisdiction under s51(6) Senior Courts Act 1981.

View Notable Cases

CS v JK & MISL [2024] – Represented the Defendant insurer at a CCMC in the High Court of Justice (Manchester District Registry) in a claim worth in excess of £10,000,000.00. The Claimant had been walking on a public highway in the early hours of the morning when he suffered life-changing injuries after being struck by the Defendant’s insured, who was driving while intoxicated.

JT v CCL [2024] – Represented and formally advised the Defendant in a multi-track claim worth in excess of £150,000.00. The Claimant fell while attempting to exit a caravan and fractured both ankles. Jonathan advised, and the claim settled shortly before the start of a 3-day trial at which multiple medical experts were due to attend.

JB v SHL [2023] – Successfully represented the Defendant farm at trial in a case in which an employee alleged they sustained personal injury when being kicked by a cow during the milking process.

CF v PACSMEL [2022] – Successfully represented the Defendant employer at trial in a case in which a contractor sustained personal injury when conducting ‘skinning and tack welding’ during the process of fabrication on two steel shoots

DJS v AE [2025] – Successfully represented the Claimant (receiving party) at a multi-day detailed assessment before Deputy Costs Judge Friston in the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO) where the bill was worth in excess of £100,000.00.

RL v SCC [2025] – Represented the Defendant (paying party) at a detailed assessment, in which the main issue between the parties was the application of CPR r3.18 and whether there was a ‘good reason’ for the Claimant’s departure from its last approved budget.

AMS v WPBWS [2025] – Represented the Defendant (paying party) at a costs assessment in which the court considered the interpretation of CPR r36.9 and whether varying the terms of a Part 36 offer so as to make it ‘less advantageous’ entitled the offeree to a second relevant period in which to accept.

C v VML [2024] – Successfully represented the Defendant (paying party) at a costs assessment in which the Claimant sought to have its costs of an interim application assessed on the indemnity basis pursuant to CPR r45.29J.

LC v WUHNFT [2024] – Represented the Defendant (paying party) at an oral review hearing from a provisional assessment in a clinical negligence claim that settled prior to the commencement of proceedings. The issues involved consideration of CPR r44.4 and the proportionality guidance given in West v Stockport NHS Foundation Trust [2019] EWCA Civ 1220.

PN v FT [2024] – Represented the Defendant (paying party) at a detailed assessment in which the court ordered the Claimant to provide a breakdown of the costs paid to the medical agency and the two experts in the case. The assessment concerned the application of CPR 47PD5.2 and cases such as Stringer v Copley [2002] 5 WLUK 977 and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust v Hoskin [2023] 5 WLUK 390.

Inquest into the Death of MLJ [2023] – Represented a care home throughout a multi-day inquest, which was concerned with establishing the medical cause of death of a 64-year old care-home resident, who died after falling and contracting bronchopneumonia; a narrative conclusion was entered.

MDW v CFRS [2023] – Represented a fire & rescue service in a pension appeal by an ex-firefighter against the decision of an independent qualified medical practitioner (‘IQMP’), who determined that the appellant’s injury was not a ‘qualifying injury’ under the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (England) Order 2006. The appeal was heard before a three-person panel of the Medical Board of Referees.