London Barrister · Legal Profile
Henry King is a barrister practising in London with a professional focus on costs law, personal injury, insurance, and commercial disputes. His work includes court advocacy, complex settlement negotiations, and disputes involving high-value claims.
Professional Overview
He was ranked in the Legal 500 2025 as having an "encyclopaedic knowledge of costs law" and appears for both receiving and paying parties at all levels of costs assessment, including seven-figure bills instructed unled.
His insurance practice covers the full spectrum from complex policy wording disputes to straightforward property damage claims, regularly acting in cases worth over £500,000 for both Claimants and Defendants.
He has extensive knowledge of new and old fixed costs regimes and is a first-line resource for client queries when costs disputes arise. He typically handles claims in the £100,000 upward range, as well as those exceeding £1 million.
He has worked on more than 1,000 personal injury cases across his career. His practice is managed by Lily Baker at 12 King's Bench Walk.
Areas of Practice
Costs specialist appearing for both receiving and paying parties at all levels of costs assessment, including seven-figure bills. Familiar with all aspects of the CPR costs regime.
Multi-track personal injury practice in high-value matters, acting for both Claimants and Defendants. Over 1,000 personal injury cases across his career, including claims in excess of £200,000.
Full spectrum of insurance work including complex policy wording disputes, coverage declinatures, Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010, and Insurance Act 2015 matters. Regularly acts in cases over £500,000.
Growing commercial practice covering supply chain disputes, breach of contract, fraud, and multi-party litigation. Business-focused approach including mediations and adjudications.
Specialist Area
Costs law is central to Henry King's practice. Ranked in the Legal 500 2025 as having an "encyclopaedic knowledge of costs law," he appears for both receiving and paying parties at all levels of costs assessment — including solicitor and client costs — and has been instructed unled in assessments worth in excess of seven figures.
His costs work spans high-value commercial matters, judicial reviews, insurance disputes, contentious and non-contentious solicitor/client costs, and injury-related claims including the large bills often associated with clinical negligence. He is familiar with the old and new fixed costs regimes and advises on the tactical considerations that arise from them, particularly in relation to Part 36 offers.
Henry has provided training to the Association of Costs Lawyers on costs budgeting and regularly appears in CCMCs, including in the High Court. He has appeared in the SCCO on both procedural matters and detailed assessments, and has advised on assessments in excess of £4 million.
Professional Experience
Henry King brings a business-focused approach to commercial litigation and has experience across a broad range of disputes. His recent cases have included settling seven separate High Court disputes between two parties in a single day. He has appeared in mediations and advises on contractual terms relating to arbitration and adjudication.
Acting for a manufacturer of titanium parts in a contractual dispute and likely arbitration valued in excess of a million US dollars. Acting for a manufacturer on a breach of contract claim involving defective parts and unpaid invoices running to several hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Defending a perfume supplier in proceedings brought under alleged breach of contract and negligence, and advising on their terms and conditions. Acting for a large hotel chain in relation to breach of a settlement agreement.
Advising a property owner on property damage and alleged business interruption arising from failed air conditioning units. Acting for a company claiming over £200,000 in business interruption against their insurer following a flood.
Education & Background
Health & Fitness
Henry King places a premium on health and fitness alongside his professional practice. He has competed in two half marathons — the Royal Parks Half Marathon and the Strasbourg Half Marathon — and is currently training to run a full marathon.
This commitment to physical endurance complements the focus and discipline his legal work demands.
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