Costs Draftsperson / Costs Lawyer

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

Job description

Job Title: Costs Draftsperson / Costs Lawyer

Salary Range: £30,000 to £50,000 per annum

Location: Leeds (Hybrid/Flexible)

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Role Overview & Daily Responsibilities:

• Preparing and submitting detailed bills of costs for legal aid family and children matters, including High Cost Case Plans and post-assessment submissions, to the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO) and the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).
• Serving bills in accordance with procedural requirements and relevant cost assessment protocols.
• Monitoring and managing key deadlines, including those for submissions, replies, and appeals, ensuring full compliance with LAA and SCCO timelines.
• Liaising with fee earners and team leaders to collate all necessary case documentation and supporting evidence to ensure the accurate and timely preparation of bills.
• Advising on cost recovery strategy, highlighting opportunities to maximise recovery and improve billing efficiency across the department.
• Reviewing outcomes of both provisional and final assessments, analysing deductions, and advising on appropriate next steps including submissions for redetermination or appeals.
• Managing communications with the SCCO, LAA, external costs draftsmen, and counsel where necessary, to support the progression and resolution of cost matters.
• Ensuring accurate case recording, file maintenance, and data input in line with internal billing and reporting procedures.
• Utilising the firm's case management and billing systems effectively to track costs, assessments, and outcomes.
• Staying up to date with developments in legal aid cost regulations, assessment criteria, and funding guidance relevant to family and children law.
• Providing ongoing support, guidance, and training to colleagues to promote best practice and continuous improvement in cost recovery processes.

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 Business:

• 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 interests you, 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.

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.