Senior Cost Draftsman

A leading law firm in Manchester is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Draftsman to join their growing team. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing detailed bills of costs, advising on legal cost matters, and ensuring cost management procedures are optimised for client and case profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preparation of Bills of Costs: Draft detailed and accurate bills of costs for a variety of cases including clinical negligence, personal injury, commercial litigation, and others.
• Cost Budgeting: Prepare, negotiate, and advise on cost budgets, including Precedent H.
• Negotiation & Settlement: Negotiate costs with opposing parties and represent the firm in costs mediations and hearings.
• Advocacy: Represent clients at cost assessment hearings in the High Court, County Court, or Costs Court as needed.
• Client Advisory: Provide expert advice on legal costs, cost recovery, and funding arrangements, including Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs) and After The Event (ATE) insurance.
• Cost Management: Work alongside fee earners to monitor costs throughout litigation to ensure costs are proportionate and controlled.
• Compliance & Updates: Ensure compliance with cost regulations and keep the team updated on any changes in the costs law landscape, particularly in the area of fixed costs.
• Team Leadership: Provide support and mentoring to junior members of the costs team, helping them develop their skills and maintain a high standard of work.
• Costs Disputes: Handle disputes regarding legal costs, including challenges and appeals.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Experience: A minimum of 5+ years of experience as a cost draftsman, preferably in a senior role within a legal environment.
• Expert Knowledge: In-depth understanding of legal cost procedures, CPR rules, cost budgeting, and detailed assessments.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in preparing and negotiating high-value, complex bills of costs and cost budgets.
• Advocacy: Experience in representing clients at cost hearings is highly desirable.
• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation abilities, able to handle challenging opposition to achieve the best outcomes.
• Attention to Detail: Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail in cost preparation and analysis.
• Time Management: Ability to handle a busy workload efficiently and meet strict deadlines.
• IT Skills: Proficiency with cost drafting software, MS Office, and case management systems.

Qualifications:

• Legal Costs Qualification: Membership with the Association of Costs Lawyers (ACL) or equivalent qualification is preferred but not essential, provided the candidate has the requisite experience.
• Advocacy Training: Formal training or experience in costs advocacy would be an advantage.

Personal Attributes:

• Team Player: Ability to work collaboratively within a team and provide mentorship to junior colleagues.
• Client Focused: Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex cost matters in a clear and concise way to clients and colleagues.
• Adaptability: Open to embracing new challenges in a dynamic legal environment.
• Commercial Awareness: Understand the balance between client satisfaction and the profitability of cases.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Performance-related bonus
• 25+ days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Flexible working arrangements (hybrid working)
• Pension scheme
• Health and well-being support
• Continuous professional development opportunities