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We are seeking a qualified Costs Lawyer to join our Finance Department. You will provide expert advice on all aspects of litigation costs - from fee arrangements and budgeting through to dispute resolution and detailed assessments. Working alongside Associates and Partners, you will ensure our clients achieve fair and cost-effective outcomes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES //
The key responsibilities of this role are set out below and there may be others which are not listed. You may be required on occasion to work outside our normal working hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.
Fee Arrangements & Retainers
* Advise clients on structuring and negotiating fee agreements with their legal advisers.
* To prepare Costs Schedules for Arbitration matters and the Supreme Court.
* Communicate situations as they arise that may require follow up, such as issues in respect of Bills of Costs and Points of Dispute/Replies.
* Effectively communicate and build relationships with internal clients including partners and other fee earning members of staff.
* Provide accurate and well-presented reporting information for internal review and to fulfil external client requests.
* Work closely with the existing members of the Billing department.
* Liaise with other Finance teams.
* Proactively follow-up with the wider business and colleagues to ensure issues are dealt with in a timely fashion
* An enthusiastic individual prepared to take a hands-on approach to learning about the Slaughter and May Finance function and how it contributes to the running of the firm.
Costs Budgeting & Management
* Prepare, review, and amend costs budgets for both claimants and defendants in accordance with Civil Procedure Rules.
Dispute Resolution & Detailed Assessment
* Draft Points of Dispute and Reply and manage correspondence in costs disputes.
Costs Orders & Advice
* Interpret and advise on the implications of costs orders, including interim and final awards.
* Provide strategic guidance on offers to settle and Calderbank letters in the context of costs.
* To prepare and/or assist partners and fee earners in the drafting of Schedules of Costs, including N260s, preparation of Budgets and Budget discussion reports to include advising on issues of costs recovery.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
* Liaise with solicitors, barristers, and external counsel to gather documentation and evidence.
* Maintain strong relationships with court officers and third-party assessors to facilitate efficient costs resolution.
CANDIDATE PROFILE //
Professional Qualifications
* Qualified Costs Lawyer (Fellow or Graduate member of the Association of Costs Lawyers).
Experience
* Minimum of 3 years’ post-qualification experience dealing with costs work in a UK law firm, court environment, or specialist costs practice.
Skills & Attributes
* Thorough knowledge of Civil Procedure Rules (Costs) and case law governing costs.
* Exceptional attention to detail and analytical ability to assess complex costs schedules and legal documentation.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building rapport with clients, counsel, and courts.
* Proactive, organised, and able to manage multiple cases to tight deadlines while maintaining high quality and compliance.
* A high level of Excel skills, to enable processing large amounts of data efficiently and accurately.
We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, belief or marital status.
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