It is unlikely that renowned London libel lions Carter-Ruck will be upset to see the back of Musa King v Telegraph Group. In 2004, the Court of Appeal had a right go at the aggressive way that the firm had brought the claim and then, last month, the senior costs judge chopped a whole lot off its costs in the case (which, lest we forget, was ultimately settled in their client's favour).

One of the grounds on which the claimant's costs were challenged by the Telegraph Group and its solicitors Farrer & Co was the team that conducted the case, including insufficient delegation to more junior solicitors and the use of two counsel.


And indeed, Master Peter Hurst spoke strongly in favour of both greater delegation and using just one counsel, 'although it is a matter for argument whether that should be leading or junior counsel'.


So it is amusing to note that while Carter-Ruck was content to instruct a junior barrister (albeit quite a senior one) to conduct the costs assessment, Farrers plumped for a QC