Legal costs negotiator Full Time

The client must be at the heart of everything we do. Identifying and meeting the needs of our clients is, therefore, of paramount importance.

All employees must manage themselves and their workload efficiently and conduct their duties proactively to ensure that the objectives of the business and the needs of the clients are met quickly and with maximum effect.

The role would suit a hard-working, self-motivated person with a high level of attention to detail who is happy to work on cases alone and who can work to deadlines and meet targets. In time, there will be the possibility of running a small team or looking after a dedicated client account.

Job outline:

In any contentious case, there is usually an agreement or court order at the end of the case where the losing party will pay the legal costs of the successful party. As a Legal Costs Negotiator, when acting for the successful party, we are responsible for negotiating and settling our client’s claim for legal costs. This will involve dealing with all aspects of legal work and interaction with Solicitors and the Court.

The types of cases will range from car accident cases to claims for industrial disease and deafness to clinical negligence cases. Legal fees can range from a few thousand pounds to, in some cases, many millions of pounds, and the importance of what you do should never be understated.

Duties of the role:

•  Managing your own files
• Conducting costs litigation and drafting all necessary court documents
• Drafting instructions to counsel in appropriate cases
• Providing high-quality technical advice and support to all teams when necessary, including with fixed costs cases and Part 8 proceedings
• Ensuring that paper and electronic files are maintained in good order and that attendance notes are made promptly to maximise cost recovery
• Ensuring that all Court deadlines are complied with and properly diarised
• Drafting PODs/ Replies
• Conducting Negotiations
• Preparing detailed advice on cost recovery prospects
• Drafting statement of Costs for summary assessment
• Ensuring client instructions and requirements are followed and KPIs met
• Liaising with claimant and defendant solicitors, Counsel and Court
• Negotiating settlements as quickly as possible on the best terms available

You will need to conduct your work in accordance with the highest possible professional standards and with reference to the professional codes of practice, money laundering regulations, and regulatory requirements.

You will need to work consistently in accordance with protocols, systems, and procedures across the firm, utilising Proclaim (a case management system) and Costs Master (cost drafting software) as required.