Senior Costs Lawyer / Costs Lawyer

DWF; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global legal services provider is hiring a Senior Costs Lawyer for their hybrid team in Leeds. The role entails managing a portfolio of Defendant cost files, drafting key legal documents such as Bills of Costs, and negotiating settlements. Essential qualifications include being a qualified Costs Lawyer with experience in the insurance sector. Ideal candidates will possess strong negotiation skills and a detailed understanding of cost management. The position offers a supportive workplace committed to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Experience of costs in the insurance sector, including Road Traffic Accident, Employment, and Public Liability.
• Detailed working knowledge of the Fixed Recoverable Costs regime.
• Experience managing a caseload of defendant and/or claimant costs files.

Responsibilities

• Manage a costs caseload of Defendant and/or Claimant cost files.
• Draft Bills of Costs, Points of Dispute, and Schedules of Costs.
• Negotiate on cost offers and provide advice on third-party claims for costs.

Skills

Costs management

Negotiation skills

Drafting Bills of Costs

Advocacy experience

Cost case management

Education

Qualified Costs Lawyer, Solicitor or equivalent

Job description

Why join us?

DWF are currently hiring for a Senior Costs Lawyer / Costs Lawyer to join their Costs function.

As a Costs Lawyer you will be responsible to the Head of Insurance Business Services and will be line managed by one of the Costs Operations Managers.

You will manage your own caseload principally of Defendant files to a high standard and in line with client service level agreements. You will liaise with internal and external clients and employees at all levels within DWF. You may also be required to assist more junior members 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 need to ensure that all management information is accurate and in line with client SLA.

The role is hybrid and we are open to the successful individual working from any of our England based offices.

Responsibilities

• Manage a 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.


• Experience managing a 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?

We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF.

We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team.

About Us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. Our approach delivers efficiency, price certainty and transparency for our clients across the world without compromising on quality or service. Our purpose is to deliver positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities and we foster a culture that places our colleagues at the centre of all that we do.