Costs Negotiator

Davies; West Kirby; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Davies Incentive Plan

25 days holiday per year which…

Family Cover Private Medical Insurance

Simply Health Care Cash Plan

WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health

Death in Service

Critical Illness Cover

PHI/Income Protection

Pension Contribution 5%/3%

Employee Resource Groups

Employee Volunteering Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Tech Scheme

Season Ticket Loan

Gym Flex

Discounts via Online Discount Sites

Discounted Gourmet Society Membership

Discounted Merlin Attractions

Discounts at local retail outlets

Job summary

Davies seeks a Costs Negotiator to manage a caseload within the Legacy / Industrial Disease team in Liverpool. You will review cases, formulate initial costs strategies, negotiate with opponents, and liaise with insurers, maintaining SLAs and KPIs. Strong oral and written communication is essential.

The role offers full-time permanent hours, with 28–35 hours per week, and a path for development under the heads of the team, including mentoring and progression opportunities within Davies.

Qualifications

• 12 months experience in a costs negotiation role.
• Experience handling own caseload in litigation costs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Understanding of cost order law and insurance litigation practice.

Responsibilities

• Proactively review cases to formulate initial costs strategy.
• Prepare points of dispute and consider replies.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses of costs claimed.
• Negotiate settlement of costs by telephone.
• Update clients on progress in resolving costs.
• Handle correspondence and calls within SLAs.
• Conduct periodic file reviews per client requirements.
• Settle costs within agreed parameters.
• Instruct counsel and attend conferences and hearings.
• Attend court hearings for detailed assessment and mediations.
• Deliver performance targets and client SLAs.
• Mentor a Paralegal and support development.
• Ensure compliance with SRA standards.

Skills

Costs negotiation

Client liaison

Telephone negotiation

Advocacy

Communication

Teamwork

IT skills

Education

Degree/LPC/ALCD

Job description

Costs Negotiator

Application Deadline: 10 November 2026

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Liverpool

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 as Team Leader and Paul Edwards as Lead Lawyer.

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 locations considered for this role is Birmingham, Bolton or Liverpool offices.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• 12 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

Benefits

• Davies Incentive Plan
• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
• Family Cover Private Medical Insurance (Bupa)
• 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
• Critical Illness Cover
• PHI/Income Protection (Private health insurance)
• 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