Our client is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented professional to join their growing legal costs team. This opportunity is ideal for individuals passionate about delivering excellence in legal costs management, within civil litigation, and who are eager to develop their career in costs law.

Key Responsibilities in Legal Costs Drafting

• Independently prepare Bills of Costs, Costs Budgets (Precedent H), Statements of Costs, Points of Dispute, and Replies in line with industry standards and current Civil Procedure Rules (CPR).
• Manage a varied caseload of costs files, including but not limited to housing disrepair, personal injury, and clinical negligence matters, from initial instruction through settlement or detailed assessment.
• Conduct detailed reviews of case files, assessing work undertaken and ensuring accurate and comprehensive costs recovery for clients.
• Negotiate costs settlements with opposing parties, providing clear guidance to clients and ensuring their best interests are represented throughout the process.
• Liaise directly with solicitors, clients, barristers, and other stakeholders, maintaining clear and professional communication at all times.
• Advise fee earners on costs strategy, best practice and procedural compliance relating to costs budgeting and Bill preparation.
• Prepare documents and bundle for detailed assessments/hearings and, where appropriate, represent clients at detailed assessment hearings.
• Ensure consistent compliance with all regulatory and internal quality standards, including GDPR, SRA, and anti-money laundering obligations.
• Maintain up-to-date and thorough case management records, promoting continuous team improvement and knowledge sharing.

Essential Skills and Experience for Costs Draftsperson

• Significant experience in a legal costs drafting position, ideally with a minimum of 2 years' recent and relevant experience managing own costs caseloads.
• Strong technical knowledge of costs law, CPR, and the detailed assessment process.
• Excellent drafting skills, with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in the preparation of all legal costs documentation.
• Proven ability to negotiate settlements, manage deadlines and deliver high quality work under pressure.
• Clear, confident written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive, solution-focused, and able to work independently as well as part of a supportive team.
• IT literate, with practical experience using costs drafting software and legal case management systems.