Experienced Costs Litigation Executive (Case Handler/ Negotiator)

Express Solicitors are currently ranked 80 out of more than 10,000 law firms in the UK and ranked in the top ten for the Best Law Firm to work for in the UK by Best Companies. We have a 5-star ranking with Trust Pilot from over 6,000 reviews, which, coming from our clients, means a lot to us.

Role

We are currently looking for an experienced Costs Fee Earner/ Costs Lawyer. The role will be dealing with a mixture of personal injury and clinical negligence cost matters, of both fast track and multi-track values.

The ideal candidate will possess 12 months to five years’ experience working either in house or for an external supplier of costs drafting services. They will handle their own caseload cradle to grave and therefore must be comfortable with all aspects of Costs work, including budgeting. There is a particular need for confident negotiators and candidates with experience in handling their own CCMC’s. We are looking for people who are confident in dealing with opposing cost teams and who have a good solid grounding in cost law to deal with any disputes raised effectively. Ideally you will also be used to and comfortable working to targets.

This is an exciting opportunity with excellent career development prospects for the right candidate, offers great career prospects, as the firm offers training contracts or support through the ACL qualification, for those candidates who prove themselves.

Job description

• Handling own caseload of cradle to grave cost matters
• Negotiating settlement of costs in litigated and non-litigated claimant personal injury cases
• Advising fee earners regarding costs disputes and assisting with their own negotiations
• Preparation of summary assessment schedules, breakdowns of costs at case conclusion and formal bills where detailed assessment or Part 8 proceedings are required.
• Drafting replies to Points of Dispute
• Drafting Budgets
• Advocacy / attending CCMC’s.
• Budget Revision Work
• Supporting more junior team members

Person specification

Essential criteria

• 12 months to five year’s fast/multi track personal injury claimant costs experience.
• Completion of a legal qualification (LLB, GDL, LPC) desirable.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Drafting skills associated with completing Precedent H, R and Q and finalising formal bills.
• Experience of attending CCMC on behalf of the Claimant
• Experience of holding budget discussions
• Experience of working to target
• You will have a flexible approach and be able to respond to rapid changes in working schedules and priorities. For this you will need to be organised and able to communicate clearly with people at all levels.
• Applicants should be committed and hardworking individuals who enjoy operating in a pressurised and highly motivated team environment. You will be able to demonstrate the ability to work on your own initiative with the minimum of supervision.
• Knowledge of time recording procedures
• Working knowledge of the Civil Procedures Rules and Detailed Assessment process.
• Analytical skills and attention to detail are essential. Candidate must consistently produce work which is highly accurate and well-presented.
• The role involves the use of IT systems and therefore computer literacy, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, is essential.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of using Proclaim Case Management System and Costs Master software.
• Experience of working in house.

Salary, Hours & Benefits

• The starting salary for Cost Litigation Executive- Case Handler is £30,000 – £50,000 (depending on experience)
• Our standard working hours are 8:30am to 5:30am Monday-Thursday and 8:30am to 5pm Friday.
• Hybrid working available after a probation period.
• 23 days holiday a year, rising to 26 days.
• 3 holiday buy backs per year after 1 year of service
• Extra day’s holiday for your birthday after 2 years’ service.
• Private medical insurance available after 2 years’ service
• Attending fee earner meetings and training sessions (every other month)
• Death in Service – 2 x salary
• Active social committee with generous departmental and firm-wide social budget.
• Active training culture and various groups and events such as Diversity & Inclusion.
• Netball / Football team, 10km Manchester team and more.
• Enhanced Maternity Leave payment if you have over 1 year tenure
• Other benefits including Employee Assistance Programme, free fruit & annual flu jab.

Recruitment Process

To apply, send a CV and covering letter to recruitment@expresssolicitors.co.uk or visit or careers page on www.expresssolicitors.co.uk/careers

Interviews will be conducted by MS Teams or Telephone and will include scenario-based & Technical questioning.

At Express Solicitors we rate skill and ability above all else and our recruitment policy encourages applications from all.

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