Senior Cost Lawyer / Cost Lawyer

DWF; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DWF, a global legal business, invites applications for a Senior Cost Lawyer / Cost Lawyer to join its Costs function in England. You will manage your own caseload, chiefly defendant files, and work under supervision within the Costs team in a hybrid setup across England offices.

The role emphasizes costs expertise, advocacy, and negotiation on high‑value matters, with a focus on insurance sector costs and timely budgets, while maintaining client SLA compliance and high service standards.

Qualifications

• Qualified Costs Lawyer, Solicitor, or equivalent.
• Experience of costs in the insurance sector including RTA, EL/PLI, Industrial Disease and Medical Negligence.
• Knowledge of the Fixed Recoverable Costs regime and advocacy in relevant hearings.
• Ability to negotiate high value and complex matters.
• Experience in costs case management and cost budgets.
• Experience managing a costs file for defendant and/or claimant costs.
• Excellent negotiation skills and drafting of costs documents.

Responsibilities

• Manage a costs caseload of Defendant and/or Claimant cost files.
• All aspects of costs case management.
• Draft points of dispute and replies to costs claims.
• Draft Bills of Costs.
• Negotiate on cost offers.
• Advise on third party costs and related matters.
• Draft Schedules of Costs.

Skills

Costs lawyer

Solicitor

Insurance sector costs

Fixed Recoverable Costs

Advocacy

Negotiation

Cost budgets

Points of dispute

Draft Bills

Draft schedules

Education

Costs lawyer qualification

Job description

Why join us?

DWF are currently hiring for a Senior Cost Lawyer / Cost Lawyer to join their Costs function. As a Costs Lawyer you will be responsible to the Head of Insurance Business Services and will be linemanagedby one of the Costs Operations Managers. You willmanageyourowncaseload principally of Defendant files to a high standard and in line with client service level agreements.

Have you got what it takes to succeed The following information should be read carefully by all candidates.

You will liaise with internal and external clients and employees at all levels within DWF.You may also be required to assist more junior member of the team with fee earning queries or supervision. Your file handling will be supervised in line with the DWF Costs supervision policy and you will be need to ensure that allmanagementinformation is accurate and in line with clientSLA. The role is hybrid and we are open to the successful individual working from any of our England based offices.

Responsibilities

• Managea costs case load of Defendant and / or Claimant cost files
• All aspects of costs case management
• Drafting points of dispute and replies to costs claims
• Drafting Bills of Costs
• Negotiate on cost offers
• Advise and help on all aspects of third party claim for costs
• Draft Schedules of Costs

What will help you succeed in this role?

Essential

• A qualified Costs Lawyer, Solicitor, or equivalent
• Experience of costs in the insurance sector including Road Traffic Accident; Employment and Public Liability; Industrial Disease and Clinical Medical Negligence
• Detailed working knowledge of the Fixed Recoverable Costs regime Advocacy experience, including attending interim applications, cost case management hearings and detailed assessment hearings
• Ability to negotiate high value and complex matters
• Experience in costs case management, including preparation of cost budgets and budgets discussion reports
• Experiencemanaginga case load of defendant and / or claimant costs files
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Experience drafting bills of costs, points of disputes and draft schedules

Desirable

• The ability to prioritise work and maintain activity on a number of files at one time
• Ability to work in a team or by yourself
• Ability to be adaptable and work to tight time frames

What we offer?

At DWF, we deeply appreciate the significance of offering a comprehensive rewards package that extends beyond a basic salary.

Our commitment is to ensure that each member of our team not only feels valued but is also duly rewarded throughout their tenure with us.

Upon joining our organisation, you will have the opportunity to select from a diverse array of benefits, allowing you to carefully tailor a package that perfectly aligns with your individual needs and those of your family.

In addition to our standard benefits, we offer a wide range of flexible benefits and robust well-being programs. Our recruitment process upholds the highest standards of fairness and engagement.

It includes comprehensive interviews and, at times, a written assessment, an assessment day, or presentation.

We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support.

About us

DWF is a global legal business providing Complex, Managed and Connected Services.

We empower people to be themselves within an inclusive and supportive environment, enabling everyone to achieve their full potential in line with their abilities and career aspirations.