Costs Lawyer/ Costs Draftsperson with Inter Partes and Advocacy Experience

Competitive Salary
Hours: Full Time

The Company will consider applicants wishing to work flexibly such as flexible working hours.

Location: Office based with some remote working

Whilst the post is partially office based, predominately there is availability for remote working. Accountability within a remote working culture is the norm within this business.

Costs Law Services background

Cost Law Services Limited - www.costlaw.com, have grown exponentially nationwide to from a team of over 40 Costs Professionals with immense experience in all aspects of costs law. Cost Law Services, represent various clients and one of whom is a leading legal aid practice on all their billing.

Their broad spectrum of billing across multiple areas of law is based on a sound knowledge of the costs system and the ability to manage client expectations to ensure their cash flow is maintained.

Their work involves preparing bills and costs budgets in Court of Protection, Children Law, Clinical Negligence, Commercial Litigation, Family, Housing & Property Litigation, Immigration, Judicial Review, and Personal Injury matters.

The company provides a supportive team environment and real prospects for success and promotion.

The Role

The ideal candidate will have strong technical knowledge and experience of drafting High Cost Case Plans (HCCPS) Hourly Rate. It is also desirable for the candidate to have experience in CCFS case Plans. The Candidate will have an in depth Knowledge of the Legal Aid Costs and assessment rules; will have experience with CCMS, and all Legal Aid claims. The company is looking for experienced candidates who are self-motivated and proactive in their approach to work.

Key Essential Skills and Personal Attributes:

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience as a Costs Lawyer/ Law Costs Draftsperson;
• Experience in drafting Inter Partes bills for varied areas of law including but not limited to, Court of Protection, Children Law, Clinical Negligence, Commercial Litigation, Family, Housing & Property Litigation, Immigration, Judicial Review, and Personal Injury matters;
• Costs Negotiations Experience;
• Costs Advocacy Experience;
• Experience in Costs Budgets, Precedent R and Precedent S;
• Experience in drafting Legal Aid claims;
• Experience in preparing VHCCP’s (desirable);
• In depth understanding of the LAA Codes and relevant Legal Aid Rules (desirable);
• Have proven IT skills and the use of Costs Master whist the ability to adapt to new technology;
• Able to demonstrate strong administrative and organisational skills;
• Self-motivated to work independently and as part of a team with a ‘can do attitude’;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• A positive approach to working under pressure and in a busy environment;

Key Tasks:

• Drafting 3 column Inter- Partes Bills and drafting 6 column Bills;
• Drafting 3 Column Legal Aid Bills (desirable);
• Drafting POD’s/ Replies;
• Conducting Negotiations;
• Conducting Advocacy; where necessary at CCMC or Detailed Assessment hearings;
• To complete post–assessment work;
• To liaise and advise client(s) in relation to the variety of legal costs matters;
• To complete Statement of Costs for summary assessment;
• To complete Schedule of Costs; Statement of Costs (N260’s);
• To complete Costs Budgets and relevant Precedents supporting the costs budgeting process (Precedent H; R and T);
• To complete Electronic Bills of Costs (Precedent S);
• Drafting of estimates of costs to accompany Allocation Questionnaires and Pre-Trial Checklists;
• To be able to prepare matters for assessment;
• To be able to prepare Part 8 Proceedings;
• To provide training to junior members where possible;
• To be able to undertake advocacy where necessary.