Costs Draftsperson/Draftsman

Steele Charles Ltd; Blackburn; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Steele Charles Ltd, Blackburn, is seeking an experienced Costs Draftsman to join a growing legal team on a hybrid basis. You will own a varied costs caseload, draft Bills of Costs, negotiate with defendants and insurers, and drive recoveries from initial preparation through to settlement or assessment.

The role requires experience in claimant litigation costs and the ability to work independently with strong drafting, numerical and analytical skills. Hybrid working is available in Blackburn.

Qualifications

• Experience with legal costs and cost budgeting processes.
• Experience drafting Bills of Costs and reviewing costs submissions.
• Strong negotiation skills with opposing solicitors and insurers.
• Excellent numerical ability and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple matters with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Bills of Costs, Schedules of Costs and Statements of Costs.
• Review files to maximise recoverable costs.
• Prepare Points of Dispute and Replies.
• Negotiate costs with defendant solicitors, insurers and costs representatives.
• Manage an individual caseload from instruction to conclusion.
• Advise fee earners on costs, proportionality and recoverability.
• Assist with detailed assessment proceedings and hearings.
• Maintain accurate records and case management information.
• Support wider legal team with costs-related advice.

Skills

Legal costs

Bill drafting

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Case management

Education

ACL qualification or Costs Lawyer status

Job description

Steele Charles are representing an established and growing law firm in Blackburn on a confidential basis as they look to appoint an experienced Costs Draftsman / Costs Draftsperson.

This is an opportunity to join a well-established legal team and take ownership of a varied caseload, working closely with solicitors and fee earners across the business to ensure costs are accurately prepared, negotiated and recovered.

The successful candidate will ideally have previous experience within claimant litigation costs and be comfortable managing matters independently from initial preparation through to settlement or assessment.

The Role

Key responsibilities will include:

• Preparing detailed Bills of Costs, Schedules of Costs and Statements of Costs
• Reviewing files to identify and maximise recoverable costs
• Preparing Points of Dispute and Replies
• Negotiating costs with defendant solicitors, insurers and costs representatives
• Managing an individual caseload from instruction through to conclusion
• Advising fee earners on costs, proportionality and recoverability
• Dealing with provisional and detailed assessment proceedings
• Preparing documentation for detailed assessment hearings where required
• Managing relevant costs deadlines and ensuring matters progress efficiently
• Liaising with solicitors, counsel and external costs professionals
• Maintaining accurate records and case management information
• Supporting the wider legal team with costs-related advice

The Person

We are keen to speak with candidates who have:

• Previous experience within legal costs
• Experience preparing Bills of Costs and dealing with costs negotiations
• Good knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules relating to costs
• The ability to manage their own caseload with minimal supervision
• Strong drafting, numerical and analytical skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• The ability to manage multiple matters and competing deadlines

Experience within personal injury, clinical negligence, industrial disease or wider claimant litigation would be particularly relevant.

Candidates currently working as a Costs Draftsman, Costs Draftsperson, Costs Lawyer, Costs Executive or Costs Negotiator would all be considered.

ACL qualification or Costs Lawyer status would be advantageous, although strong practical experience is more important.

The Opportunity

This is a strong opportunity for an experienced costs professional looking to join a growing law firm where they can take genuine ownership of their workload and develop alongside the wider business.

The position is based in Blackburn with hybrid working available.

Steele Charles are managing this appointment on a confidential basis.