Costs Negotiator - Clinical Negligence

Medical Protection Society
Leeds
£36,000

Costs Negotiator/Draftsman (Clinical Negligence) 

MPS is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals.  We protect and support the professional interests of more than 290,000 members around the world. Our benefits include access to indemnity, expert advice and peace of mind. Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This includes clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.

As part of a recent restructure we are recruiting for experienced Costs Negotiators to work as part of our Legal team in Leeds.

The purpose of this role is to provide costs negotiation following payment of damages. There is considerable scope to reduce the cost of such claims by clear analysis and a strategic approach to costs resolution.  The post holder will work as part of a collaborative, co-located team including in-house Litigation Solicitors, doctors, assistants and support staff.  The claims concerned will be largely UK claims against MPS members but may also include claims in other jurisdictions against MPS members.

The Cost negotiator will manage a caseload of claims for costs at various stages of development, prioritising as required to include:

• Preparation of Bills of Cost, Points of Dispute and Points of Reply for fast track and multi-track claims
• Advise on and make appropriate offers to settle costs
• Negotiate settlement of costs
• Utilise appropriate costs software
• Liaise with claims team to ensure full information is obtained in order to deal with costs effectively
• Manage Part 7 and Part 8 proceedings
• Draft form H
• Provide advice to internal Litigation Solicitors on areas to dispute in Claimant Form H
• Attend CCMC where appropriate to deal with costs budgeting
• In conjunction with the team, investigate and analyse facts, law and quantum early, conduct communication with patient’s representatives; devise and implement effective strategies to move claims for costs to resolution. 
• Resolve each case in a way that serves the member’s interests
• Review of external legal service and other providers bills of cost as required to ensure MPS receives value for money, and costs are charged appropriately

The jobholder should have significant experience in drafting and negotiating legal costs and have experience of handling their own case load. Experience of dealing with clinical negligence Defendant costs disputes and experience in complex, multi-track costs disputes as well as fast track.

Benefits include a 12% pension scheme, 25 days paid holiday in addition to public holidays, private medical insurance and a health care cash plan and annual bonus scheme.

Applicants for this role must have 3+ years costs experience.

To apply or enquire, please send a CV along with salary expectation to recruitment@medicalprotection.org for the attention of Sarah Speechly.