Costs Associate

Stewarts; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Stewarts is seeking a Costs Associate - Commercial Disputes to advise on cost and funding issues, draft budgets and assist with reporting for high-stakes disputes in London.

Ideal candidates will have experience as a Costs Lawyer or working towards qualification, with strong communication, organisation and team-mentality in a busy department handling litigation, arbitration and competition matters.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Costs Lawyer or working towards qualification.
• Experience of dealing with commercial disputes (litigation, arbitration and competition appeals tribunal work) including group litigation
• Well organised, uses initiative, prioritises appropriately, applies self, shows attention to detail, manages own workload and meets deadlines
• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills (respectful, positive, articulate, professional and sympathetic)
• Delivers helpful internal services with a "can do" approach, shows commercial awareness and represents the department/firm appropriately

Responsibilities

• Advising on cost and litigation funding issues where appropriate
• Preparing internal and external cost budgets/estimates
• Undertaking active costs management and monitoring budgets through Cosine Software
• Assisting the Risk and Funding Committee and Senior Cost Analyst with the delivery of reporting, analysis and advice
• Drafting formal bill of costs, statement of costs and assisting with the detailed assessment process.
• Advising on inter partes costs and solicitor own client issues
• Advising on the drafting of retainer and other funding documents when necessary
• Delegating work to Paralegals when appropriate and supervising their work
• Team working with other Cost Lawyers, Cost Draftsmen and Litigation fee earners
• Providing costs law updates and related articles for internal knowledge sharing purposes
• Providing in-house training on cost and funding related issues
• Assisting with business planning for Departments
• Undertaking any other reasonable duties as requested
• Previous experience as a qualified Costs Lawyer or working towards qualification as a Costs Lawyer
• Experience of dealing with commercial disputes (litigation, arbitration and competition appeals tribunal work) including group litigation
• Well organised, uses initiative, prioritises appropriately, applies self, shows attention to detail, manages own workload and meets deadlines
• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills (respectful, positive, articulate, professional and sympathetic)
• Delivers helpful internal services with a "can do" approach, shows commercial awareness and represents the department/firm appropriately
• Shares information and ideas
• Accepts and follows instructions, listens, makes notes, questions appropriately, cooperates
• Shows sound judgment and decision-making skills; acts within boundaries
• Shows commitment, passion and enthusiasm
• Is a respectful, reliable and supportive team player

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Organised

Commercial awareness

Job description

Job title: Costs Associate - Commercial Disputes

Reporting to: Costs Director

Department: Costs

Location: London

Purpose of role: To advise and assist on cost and funding issues

Reviewed: May 2026

Job responsibilities:

• Advising on cost and litigation funding issues where appropriate
• Preparing internal and external cost budgets/estimates
• Undertaking active costs management and monitoring budgets through Cosine Software
• Assisting the Risk and Funding Committee and Senior Cost Analyst with the delivery of reporting, analysis and advice
• Drafting formal bill of costs, statement of costs and assisting with the detailed assessment process.
• Advising on inter partes costs and solicitor own client issues
• Advising on the drafting of retainer and other funding documents when necessary
• Delegating work to Paralegals when appropriate and supervising their work
• Team working with other Cost Lawyers, Cost Draftsmen and Litigation fee earners
• Providing costs law updates and related articles for internal knowledge sharing purposes
• Providing in-house training on cost and funding related issues
• Assisting with business planning for Departments
• Undertaking any other reasonable duties as requested
• Previous experience as a qualified Costs Lawyer or working towards qualification as a Costs Lawyer
• Experience of dealing with commercial disputes (litigation, arbitration and competition appeals tribunal work) including group litigation
• Well organised, uses initiative, prioritises appropriately, applies self, shows attention to detail, manages own workload and meets deadlines
• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills (respectful, positive, articulate, professional and sympathetic)
• Delivers helpful internal services with a "can do" approach, shows commercial awareness and represents the department/firm appropriately
• Shares information and ideas
• Accepts and follows instructions, listens, makes notes, questions appropriately, cooperates
• Shows sound judgment and decision-making skills; acts within boundaries
• Shows commitment, passion and enthusiasm
• Is a respectful, reliable and supportive team player