Costs Draftsperson / Costs Lawyer

CRA Legal; Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected regional law firm in Bradford is seeking a Costs Draftsperson / Costs Lawyer to handle complex clinical negligence and personal injury cases. The role involves preparing detailed bills, managing deadlines, and liaising with various parties to ensure compliance. The firm offers a competitive salary of £30,000 to £50,000 per annum and an attractive employee benefits package, including hybrid working options.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Private healthcare scheme

Enhanced pension

Flexible working

Staff reward and recognition incentives

Qualifications

• Ability to manage costs budgets and deadlines efficiently.
• Experience with clinical negligence and personal injury matters preferred.
• Up-to-date knowledge of costs law and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and submitting detailed bills of costs.
• Monitoring key deadlines and managing case documentation.
• Reviewing and advising on costs recovery strategies.

Skills

Preparing detailed bills of costs

Negotiation skills

Knowledge of CPR and costs management

Strong communication skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Job Title: Costs Draftsperson / Costs Lawyer
Salary Range: £30,000 to £50,000 per annum
Location: Bradford (Hybrid/Flexible)
Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Role Overview & Daily Responsibilities

• Preparing and submitting detailed bills of costs for claimant clinical negligence and personal injury matters, including high-value and complex multi-track cases, for assessment by the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO) or for negotiation with defendant insurers and their representatives.
• Serving bills, schedules, and supporting documentation in accordance with the CPR, relevant costs practice directions, Pre-Action Protocol requirements, and any applicable costs management or assessment rules.
• Monitoring and managing key deadlines for costs budgets, Points of Dispute, Points of Reply, hearings, negotiations, and appeals to ensure full procedural compliance.
• Liaising closely with fee earners and counsel to collate all necessary case materials - such as medical evidence, expert reports, witness statements, and disbursement invoices - to ensure accurate and timely preparation of bills and budgets.
• Advising on costs recovery strategy, identifying opportunities to maximise recovery, improve proportionality, and enhance overall billing efficiency.
• Reviewing outcomes of provisional and detailed assessments, analysing reductions, and advising on next steps, including negotiations, Points of Appeal, or applications for reconsideration.
• Managing communications with the SCCO, court staff, defendant insurers, costs lawyers, and external draftsmen to support the progression and resolution of all costs matters.
• Ensuring accurate case recording, file management, and data input in accordance with internal billing, compliance, and reporting procedures.
• Utilising the firm's case management, budgeting, and billing systems effectively to track bills, budgets, assessments, negotiations, and final recovery.
• Keeping up to date with developments in costs law, including CPR amendments, case law on proportionality and reasonableness, budgeting practice, and SCCO guidance relevant to PI and clinical negligence claims.
• Providing support, guidance, and training to colleagues on costs processes, budgeting, and best practice to promote continuous improvement in costs recovery across the department.

Employee Benefits Package

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Additional leave over the festive period
• Enhanced pension
• Enhanced parental leave
• Enhanced sickness pay
• Hybrid working
• Agile working
• Flexible working
• Private healthcare scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Income protection scheme
• Life insurance scheme
• Staff reward and recognition incentives
• Discounts on certain high street retailers
• Discounted parking at some offices

About the Organisation

• CRA Legal are recruiting for a well-known regional legal 500 law firm with offices across Yorkshire. The firm are a friendly, respected organisation who have seen a period of growth across their business.

How to Apply

• If this Costs Draftsperson / Costs Lawyer vacancy, please click the apply button. Alternatively, if you would like to discuss with Miles Lomas who is managing this vacancy, call 0114 241 8030 for a confidential discussion.
• Are you wanting to review additional career opportunities? Visit our jobs page at www.craconsultants.com/jobs

Additional Information

• CRA Legal follow strict best practice recruitment guidelines monitored by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Please note our advertisements use salary levels purely as a guide. However we are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role.
• This Costs Draftsperson / Costs Lawyer vacancy is very popular with the local legal community, so please apply quickly to ensure your application is considered. As part of our candidate registration and care process we at CRA Legal aim to respond to all successful applications within 2 working days.