Senior Costs Lawyer - High-Value Litigation

HF; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Life Insurance

Private Medical Insurance

Pension Scheme

Hybrid & Flexible Working Options

Job summary

HF is seeking a Costs Lawyer/Solicitor for complex and high‑value litigation. The role is based in the United Kingdom with hybrid working and occasional travel to Manchester.

You will manage substantial costs claims across multi‑track litigation, providing technically sound and commercially focused advice from start to finish. Essential experience includes costs litigation, costs management and detailed assessment.

Qualifications

• Substantive experience of costs litigation, costs management, detailed assessment or a closely related specialist practice.
• Ability to take ownership of complex matters and escalate when necessary.
• Strong technical analysis and drafting skills.
• Well-developed negotiation skills and clear commercial recommendations.
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation with competing deadlines.
• Confident, concise communication with clients and professionals.
• A detail‑led approach with understanding of proportionality and commercial context.
• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute to team development.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of complex, high‑value costs matters with autonomy and supervision as appropriate.
• Analyse underlying litigation, history, evidence and costs documentation to identify issues.
• Draft bills of costs, Points of Dispute, Replies and associated schedules.
• Develop strategies for negotiation, costs management, assessment and settlement.
• Advise clients and solicitors on costs risk, proportionality and recoverability.
• Manage detailed assessment proceedings, directions and liaison with counsel.
• Draft instructions and briefs to counsel.
• Conduct negotiations and provide settlement recommendations.
• Attend costs hearings or advocate when needed.
• Build relationships with clients, lawyers, experts and counsel.
• Maintain accurate records, billing hours and fee income targets.
• Contribute to technical development, precedents and training.
• Supervise junior colleagues on discrete issues.

Skills

Costs litigation experience

Negotiation skills

Drafting skills

Organisational skills

Client communication

Job description

HF is seeking a Costs Lawyer/Solicitor for complex and high‑value litigation. The role is based in the United Kingdom with hybrid working and occasional travel to Manchester.

You will manage substantial costs claims across multi‑track litigation, providing technically sound and commercially focused advice from start to finish. Essential experience includes costs litigation, costs management and detailed assessment.