Senior Costs Lawyer – High-Value Litigation (Hybrid)

HF; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Life Insurance

Private Medical Insurance

Pension Scheme

Hybrid Working

Electric Car Scheme

Discounted Gym Membership

Job summary

HF is seeking a Costs Lawyer/Solicitor to manage complex and high-value costs matters arising from multi-track and substantial litigation. The role requires experience in at least one area such as serious injury, complex insurance litigation, commercial litigation or clinical negligence, with a focus on costs strategy and negotiation.

The post offers hybrid working, attendance at one office with occasional travel to Manchester when required, and a supportive, people-centric environment within

Qualifications

• Substantive experience of costs litigation, costs management, detailed assessment or a closely related specialist practice.
• Ability to take ownership of complex matters and identify when strategic input or escalation is required.
• Strong technical analysis and drafting skills.
• Well-developed negotiation skills and the ability to make clear, commercial recommendations.
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation, including the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Confident and concise communication with clients and other professional stakeholders.
• A detailed, evidence-led approach combined with an understanding of proportionality and commercial context.
• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute positively to the development of the wider team.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of complex and high-value costs matters, with an appropriate level of autonomy and supervision.
• Analyse the underlying litigation, procedural history, evidence and costs documentation to identify legal, evidential and commercial issues.
• Draft and consider bills of costs, including electronic bills where appropriate, Points of Dispute, Replies, statements of costs and associated schedules.
• Develop and implement strategies for negotiation, costs management, assessment and settlement.
• Advise clients and substantive lawyers on costs risk, proportionality, conduct, funding, retainers and recoverability where relevant to the matter.
• Manage detailed assessment proceedings and associated applications, including evidence, directions, hearing preparation and liaison with counsel.
• Draft clear, focused and technically accurate instructions and briefs to counsel.
• Conduct negotiations and provide reasoned settlement recommendations that address both legal merits and commercial objectives.
• Attend costs hearings or undertake advocacy where appropriate to qualification, experience and the needs of the matter.
• Build effective working relationships with clients, substantive lawyers, experts, counsel and other stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate file records, financial and management information, compliance with service standards, and achieve agreed performance targets, including billing hours and fee income objectives.
• Contribute to technical development, precedents, training and knowledge sharing within the team.
• Support and, where appropriate, supervise junior colleagues on discrete issues or matters.

Skills

Costs litigation

Costs management

Detailed assessment

Negotiation skills

Organisation & prioritisation

Communication with clients

Team collaboration

Job description

HF is seeking a Costs Lawyer/Solicitor to manage complex and high-value costs matters arising from multi-track and substantial litigation. The role requires experience in at least one area such as serious injury, complex insurance litigation, commercial litigation or clinical negligence, with a focus on costs strategy and negotiation.

The post offers hybrid working, attendance at one office with occasional travel to Manchester when required, and a supportive, people-centric environment within