Commercial Costs Lawyer

Irwin Mitchell; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Greater London is seeking an experienced costs professional to join their Commercial Litigation costs team. This opportunity involves preparing Bills of Costs, negotiating costs, and advising clients throughout the lifecycle of commercial disputes. Candidates should have at least two years of costs drafting experience in a commercial litigation context and be able to manage competing deadlines while maintaining high attention to detail. The firm offers comprehensive benefits including flexible working options, generous holiday allowance, and robust support for mental health and wellness.

Benefits

25 days holidays plus bank holidays

Generous pension schemes

Two days of volunteering per year

Westfield Health membership

Qualifications

• At least two years’ experience in costs drafting, ideally within a commercial litigation context.
• Strong knowledge of legal procedures relevant to commercial litigation.
• Proven experience with IT systems and time recording procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Bills of Costs for detailed assessment and inter partes Bills.
• Handle costs negotiations and litigation for commercial clients.
• Provide strategic costs advice and support case handlers throughout disputes.

Skills

Costs drafting

Legal procedures in commercial litigation

IT systems proficiency

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

ACL qualification or other relevant legal / financial qualifications

Job description

Your Role

and What You’ll Be Doing

We are seeking an experienced costs professional to join our Commercial Litigation costs team. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious individual to join a dynamic national team, working on high-value and complex commercial matters.

You’ll be responsible for preparing Bills of Costs for detailed assessment and inter partes Bills, as well as handling costs negotiations and litigation for a range of commercial clients. Your role will involve direct client interaction, providing strategic costs advice, and supporting case handlers throughout the lifecycle of commercial disputes. You may also contribute to the training and development of junior team members.

About You

• At least two years’ experience in costs drafting, ideally within a commercial litigation, business disputes, or insurance context (in-house or external supplier)
• Strong knowledge of legal procedures relevant to commercial litigation
• Proven experience with IT systems and time recording procedures
• Ability to manage a busy caseload and competing deadlines, maintaining attention to detail and delivering a seamless service
• Flexible approach to changing priorities and commercial demands
• Excellent communication skills and a professional manner with clients and stakeholders
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team
• Willingness to work the hours required by the role, including occasional extended hours to meet client or business needs
• Desirable: ACL qualification or other relevant legal / financial qualifications
• Desirable: Experience in commercial legal departments or with business / insurance clients

Our Benefits - What We Can Offer You

• 25 days holidays as standard plus bank holidays - You can ‘buy’ up to 35hrs of extra holiday too.
• Generous and flexible pension schemes.
• Volunteering days – Two days of volunteering every year for a cause of your choice (fully paid)
• Westfield Health membership, offering refunds on medical services alongside our Aviva Digital GP services.

We also offer a wide range of well‑being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you’re fully supported. This includes our Flexible by Choice programme which gives our colleagues more choice over a hybrid way of working subject to role, team and client requirements.

We have been ranked in the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing for Large Organisations for 2024!

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim.

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s made up of four strands : Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.