Costs Negotiator

Keoghs; Bolton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Davies Incentive Plan

25 days holiday per year

Simply Health Care Cash Plan

WeCare – 24/7 online GP and wellbeing

Death In Service

Pension Contribution

Employee Resource Groups

Cycle to Work Scheme

Tech Scheme

Season Ticket Loan

Gym Flex

Discounts at local retail outlets

Job summary

Keoghs is seeking a Costs Negotiator to manage a caseload focused on settling legal costs for Legacy/Industrial Disease claims in Bolton. You will develop initial costs strategies, negotiate settlements, liaise with insurers and clients, and ensure compliance with SLAs and KPIs.

The role requires a proactive approach, strong communication skills, and the ability to handle multiple cases to successful conclusion while meeting client expectations and internal targets.

Qualifications

• 2 months minimum experience in a similar costs negotiator role handling own caseload
• Degree and/or LPC/ALCD qualification or equivalent
• Previous experience liaising with clients and taking instructions in writing and orally
• Experience of Detailed Assessment process incl. Points of Dispute and replies
• Strong telephone negotiation skills
• Understanding of cost case law and insurance litigation processes
• Ability to take initiative and make decisions
• Ability to prioritise workloads and stay calm under pressure
• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Proficient IT skills in Microsoft packages

Responsibilities

• Proactively reviewing cases to formulate an initial costs strategy and settlement parameters
• Preparing points of dispute and considering replies
• Identifying strengths/weaknesses in own and opponent's costs
• Using the telephone to discuss and negotiate settlements
• Updating clients on progress of costs resolution
• Handling correspondence and calls within SLAs
• Periodic file reviews per client requirements
• Settlement of costs within negotiated parameters
• Instructing counsel and attending conferences/hearings
• Attending court for hearings to conduct own advocacy
• Delivering performance targets and SLAs
• Mentoring a Paralegal and supporting development

Skills

Negotiation skills

Client liaison

Case management

Telephone communication

Microsoft Office

Team player

Education

Degree and/or LPC and/or ALCD

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Costs Negotiator

To pursue the settlement of legal costs as soon as practicably possible on a range of Legacy / Industrial Disease claims.

Application Deadline: 12 November 2026

Department: Legal

Location: Bolton

Description

To pursue the settlement of legal costs as soon as practicably possible on a range of Legacy / Industrial Disease claims.

A Costs Negotiator should be able to proactively review cases; formulate an initial costs strategy and settlement parameters; provide comprehensive advice to clients; commence early telephone negotiations with opponents; and liaise, as required, with Insurers throughout the life of the file.

The Costs Negotiator should be able to establish strong working relationships within the Costs team; the wider Keoghs business; and with our clients through use of excellent oral skills and succinct written communications.

The Costs Negotiator will be expected to attain their Objectives as well as Client SLAs and KPIs. Support and mentoring with their Personal Development Plan will be provided to enable technical development and career progression.

The Head of Costs is Howard Dean; Technical Director is Elaine Pitt; and Business Unit Director is Amanda Nuttall. This role is in the Legacy / Industrial Disease team supported by Darren Lee.

Key Responsibilities

You will be responsible for your own caseload, progressing each file from receipt of papers from the Legacy (Industrial Disease) team to resolution of costs. The role will include:

• Proactively reviewing cases to formulate an initial costs strategy and settlement parameters
• Preparing points of dispute and considering replies
• Identifying and documenting strengths and weaknesses of own case and opponent’s costs claimed
• Using the telephone to discuss; put forward meritorious arguments; and negotiate settlement of costs
• Updating reports to clients of progress made in resolving costs claimed
• Dealing with correspondence and telephone calls received within SLAs
• Undertaking periodic reviews of files in line with client requirements
• Settlement of costs within agreed negotiation parameters
• Instructing counsel and attending conferences; detailed assessment hearings; and mediations, remotely and in person.
• Attending court for application hearings; detailed assessment hearings and mediations remotely and in person to conduct own advocacy
• Delivery of agreed performance targets; Keoghs quality standards; and client’s SLAs, KPIs and MI requirements
• Delegate assigned tasks to a Paralegal and be fully engaged in their development in terms of technical ability and achievement of objectives
• To ensure compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations

Working Hours

28 - 35 hours per week

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch.

Primary location for this role is Bolton Office.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• 2 months experience as a minimum in a similar costs negotiator role, either for claimant or defendant, handling own caseload.
• Degree and/or LPC and/or ALCD
• Previous experience of client liaison - taking instructions and providing advice both verbally and in writing
• Experience of the Detailed Assessment process including preparing Points of Dispute and considering replies.
• Good telephone negotiation skills
• An understanding of current cost case law and insurance litigation practice and process.
• Ability to use own initiative and make decisions
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads and to remain calm under pressure
• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills
• Ability to act as part of a team
• Proficient IT skills in Microsoft packages

Job Benefits

• Davies Incentive Plan
• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
• Simply Health Care Cash Plan
• WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing
• Death In Service – after 1 years’ service
• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
• Employee Resource Groups
• Employee Volunteering Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Tech Scheme
• Season Ticket Loan
• Gym Flex
• Access to Online Discount Sites
• Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
• Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
• Discounts at local retail outlets

after successfully completing probation