Costs Associate

Douglas Scott Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Douglas Scott Ltd, a leading law firm in London, seeks a Costs Associate to join its established Costs team. The role supports a broad range of commercial disputes and complex litigation matters, advising on costs and funding while managing budgets and recoveries.

Reporting to the Costs leadership team, the successful candidate will draft bills, assist with assessments, and contribute to strategic initiatives in costs management and training.

Qualifications

• This role requires a qualified Costs Lawyer or someone working toward Costs Lawyer qualification.
• Experience in commercial disputes, litigation, arbitration, and related costs work.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage a varied workload.
• Excellent communication and a commercial, solutions-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed costs breakdowns and support negotiations.
• Advise on costs and litigation funding matters across disputes.
• Prepare internal and external costs budgets and estimates.
• Manage and monitor budgets throughout matters using costs software.
• Draft bills of costs and statements of costs, supporting reviews.

Skills

Costs law

Litigation funding

Budgeting

Costs management

Negotiation

Billing

Legal advisory

Education

Qualified Costs Lawyer

Costs Lawyer qualification in progress

Tools

Costs management software

Billing software

Job description

Costs Associate – Commercial Disputes

Location: London

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Working Pattern: Hybrid / Flexible

We are working on behalf of a leading law firm to recruit a Costs Associate to join its established Costs team in London.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified Costs Lawyer, or an experienced professional working towards qualification, to join a specialist team supporting a broad range of commercial disputes and complex litigation matters.

The successful candidate will advise fee earners and clients on costs and litigation funding matters, while playing an active role in costs management, budgeting and recovery.

The Role

Reporting into the firm's Costs leadership team, you will provide specialist advice and support across a varied commercial disputes caseload.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Preparing detailed costs breakdowns and supporting negotiations.
• Advising on costs and litigation funding matters across a range of disputes.
• Preparing internal and external costs budgets and estimates.
• Managing and monitoring budgets throughout the lifecycle of matters, including using costs management software.
• Supporting internal risk and funding processes through reporting, analysis and specialist costs advice.
• Drafting formal bills of costs and statements of costs.
• Assisting with detailed assessment proceedings and related costs work.
• Advising on inter partes costs and solicitor-client costs issues.
• Supporting the preparation and review of retainers and other funding documentation where required.
• Delegating appropriate work to junior team members and providing supervision and guidance.
• Working collaboratively with other Costs Lawyers, Costs Draftsmen and litigation fee earners.
• Contributing to internal knowledge sharing through updates on developments in costs law.
• Delivering training to colleagues on costs and litigation funding issues.
• Supporting departmental business planning and wider strategic initiatives.
• Taking on additional responsibilities as required within the role.

About You

We are looking for someone with a strong background in costs who is keen to develop their career within a sophisticated commercial disputes environment.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience as a qualified Costs Lawyer or be working towards Costs Lawyer qualification.
• Experience of commercial disputes, ideally covering areas such as litigation, arbitration and Competition Appeal Tribunal matters.
• Experience of working on complex or group litigation would be advantageous.
• A strong understanding of costs and litigation funding principles.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage a varied workload.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively and work to deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A commercial and solutions-focused approach.
• Sound judgement and the confidence to provide practical advice.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider team.
• A proactive attitude and willingness to share knowledge and ideas.

The Opportunity

This role offers the chance to join a specialist Costs function within a highly regarded legal practice, working alongside experienced professionals and supporting complex commercial disputes.

You will have exposure to a varied and technically interesting workload, with opportunities to develop your expertise across costs, funding, budgeting and costs management.

The role would suit a Costs Lawyer looking to take the next step in their career, or an experienced Costs professional seeking greater exposure to complex commercial disputes and high-value litigation.