Costs Associate Solicitor

eNL Legal; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

eNL Legal in the West Midlands is seeking a Costs Lawyer with 3+ years PQE to join our Insurance Business Services team on a hybrid basis. You will own a varied caseload, draft Bills of Costs, advise on costs disputes and drive settlements.

The role suits someone with strong technical knowledge of costs litigation, experience in Defendant or Claimant matters, and a proactive approach. You'll work across England offices with flexible hybrid arrangements.

Qualifications

• Qualified Costs Lawyer or solicitor with strong knowledge of costs litigation.
• Experience handling Defendant and/or Claimant costs matters within the insurance sector.
• Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills with a client-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Taking ownership of a varied caseload of costs files; progress matters efficiently and to client expectations.
• Drafting Bills of Costs, Points of Dispute, Replies and Schedules of Costs.
• Developing and implementing effective negotiation strategies for favourable settlements.
• Advising on costs-related issues including third-party costs claims and complex disputes.
• Guiding on costs budgeting and preparing budgets and budget reports.
• Representing clients at hearings and assessments with advocacy.

Skills

Costs litigation knowledge

Negotiation

Advocacy

Client service

Communication

Education

Qualified Costs Lawyer or Solicitor

Job description

Costs Lawyer, 3+ Years PQE, West Midlands / Hybrid Working, £60,000+ (DOE) - Are you an experienced Costs Lawyer looking for a role where you can take ownership of a varied caseload, work on complex costs matters and make a real contribution to a successful team? JOB REF:5988.

We are looking for a talented and commercially minded Costs Lawyer to join an impressive Insurance Business Services team. This is an excellent opportunity to become part of an established team, handling a diverse range of costs work across the insurance sector, with exposure to both Defendant and Claimant matters.

You'll be trusted to manage your own files, apply your technical expertise and develop effective strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients. From complex negotiations and detailed assessments to advising on costs disputes, you'll play an important role in delivering a high-quality service across a broad portfolio of work.

Whether your background is predominantly Defendant or Claimant costs, we're keen to hear from individuals who bring strong technical knowledge, sound commercial judgement and a proactive approach.

What you'll be involved in

No two cases are quite the same, and you'll have the opportunity to work across a broad range of costs matters.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of a varied caseload of costs files, ensuring matters progress efficiently and in line with client expectations.
• Preparing and drafting Bills of Costs, Points of Dispute, Replies and Schedules of Costs.
• Developing and implementing effective negotiation strategies to achieve commercially favourable settlements.
• Advising on costs-related issues, including third-party costs claims and complex disputes.
• Providing guidance on costs budgeting, including the preparation of costs budgets and budget discussion reports.
• Representing clients at hearings and assessments, using your advocacy skills to achieve positive outcomes.
• Supporting colleagues with technical costs queries and sharing your knowledge and experience across the wider team.

What will make you a great fit?

You'll be a qualified Costs Lawyer, Solicitor or have equivalent relevant experience, with a strong understanding of costs litigation and the insurance market.

We're particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• Experience handling Defendant and/or Claimant costs matters within the insurance sector.
• Knowledge of areas such as Road Traffic Accidents, Employment, Public Liability, Industrial Disease and Clinical Negligence.
• A thorough understanding of the Fixed Recoverable Costs regime and its practical application.
• Experience preparing costs budgets, Bills of Costs, Points of Dispute, Replies and Schedules of Costs.
• Confidence negotiating complex and high-value costs matters.
• Advocacy experience, including interim applications, costs case management hearings and detailed assessment hearings.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and maintain momentum across a busy caseload.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Above all, you'll be someone who takes pride in their work, enjoys finding solutions to challenging costs issues and is committed to delivering excellent client service.

On offer

You'll be joining a knowledgeable and supportive team where your expertise will be valued and you have the opportunity to develop your skills and broaden your experience.

We offer a hybrid working approach, with flexibility to work from any of the offices across England, giving you the opportunity to balance office collaboration with working remotely.

CANDIDATE CARE:

eNL will never share your CV with a third party without your express permission. As part of our candidate care process, we aim to respond to all applications within 7 days. If you have not been contacted within this timescale, your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that advertised PQE and salary levels are intended as a guide only.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION:

At eNL, we value diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law in the jurisdictions in which we operate.