Costs Draftsperson

BCL Legal Limited; Altrincham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Healthcare plan

Life assurance

Bonus scheme

Career progression

Employee-owned stake in business

Job summary

BCL Legal is assisting a well-established law firm in Altrincham to recruit a Costs Lawyer / Costs Draftsman. This full-time, hybrid position offers an opportunity to join a growing Costs team reporting to the Head of Department.

Responsibilities include preparing high-value Bills of Costs, cost budgets, and advising on recoverability while working closely with Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury teams. Flexible working and a defined career path are highlighted.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' experience in civil litigation costs drafting, including Bills and Costs Budgets.
• Experience using CostsMaster.
• Experience preparing E-bills, ideally within Clinical Negligence and/or Personal Injury.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Prepare high-value Bills of Costs, including Precedent S Electronic Bills, using CostsMaster.
• Prepare high-value Precedent H Cost Budgets.
• Advise on costs recoverability and negotiate settlements.
• Prepare for CCMCs and conduct costs budget negotiations.
• Advise on budget management throughout matters.
• Instruct Counsel and experts when required.
• Work with Clinical Negligence and PI solicitors on costs claims.

Skills

Costs drafting

Bills & Budgets

CostsMaster

Time management

Communication

Team player

Tools

CostsMaster

Job description

Costs Lawyer / Costs Draftsman

Altrincham | Hybrid | Full-time

A well-established law firm is looking to hire a Costs Lawyer / Costs Draftsman to join its growing Costs team, reporting directly into the Head of Department.

This is a full-time, hybrid role based from the firm's Altrincham office, offering the opportunity to join a supportive and established team with genuine scope for progression.

The firm has an employee-owned structure and places a strong emphasis on collaboration, flexibility and developing its people.

The Role

You'll be responsible for handling a varied caseload of costs matters, with a particular focus on Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury.

• Preparing high-value Bills of Costs, including Precedent S Electronic Bills, using CostsMaster.
• Preparing high-value Precedent H Cost Budgets.
• Advising on costs recoverability, negotiating settlements and providing clients with advice on prospects.
• Preparing for CCMCs and conducting costs budget negotiations.
• Advising on budget management throughout the life of a matter.
• Preparing solicitor-own-client documentation and advising on recoverability.
• Instructing Counsel and experts where required.
• Working closely with Clinical Negligence and PI solicitors throughout the progression of costs claims.
• Taking instructions from clients and providing advice on costs procedures, issues and strategy.
• Liaising with Accounts regarding client funds and compliance with Solicitors Accounts Rules.
• Working towards financial targets whilst maintaining a high level of client service.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least 3 years' experience in civil litigation costs drafting, including Bills and Costs Budgets.
• Experience using CostsMaster.
• Experience preparing E-bills, ideally within Clinical Negligence and/or Personal Injury.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• A proactive approach, with the ability to take ownership of matters.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team while managing your own workload.

What's on offer?

• Hybrid and flexible working.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Pension scheme.
• Healthcare cash plan.Life assurance.
• Bonus scheme.
• Genuine career progression within an established team.
• The opportunity to work within an employee-owned business and have a direct stake in its continued growth.

BCL Legal is an equal opportunities employer.