Costs Lawyer / Cost Draftsperson

Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors, a leading firm with over four decades of experience representing ordinary people during extraordinary events, is seeking an experienced Costs Lawyer / Cost Draftsperson to join our dedicated team. We pride ourselves on providing first-class legal assistance driven by a commitment to our strong ethical values. Our team works diligently to ensure that individuals and organisations receive the utmost support and guidance through their legal challenges. As a Costs Lawyer / Cost Draftsperson, you will play an essential role in our commitment to excellence, managing costs effectively to support our clients' needs and ensuring transparency in legal billing. If you have a strong background in costs litigation and a passion for client advocacy, we want you to join us in our mission to uphold justice and provide exceptional service to our clients. This is not just a job, but a chance to make a meaningful impact in the legal field, where your skills will contribute to the ongoing success of our clients and the firm as a whole.

Responsibilities

• Drafting and preparing detailed bills of costs and cost budgets
• Advising on costs implications and strategy in legal proceedings
• Conducting costs negotiations and settlements with opposing parties
• Managing costs recovery and ensuring compliance with legal cost procedures
• Keeping up to date with relevant costs law and procedural changes
• Liaising with solicitors and barristers to achieve the best possible outcomes

Qualifications

• Qualified Cost Lawyer or extensive experience in costs law
• Strong understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) relating to costs
• Experience in drafting bills of costs and costs budgets
• Preparation of Points of Reply to Points of Dispute
• Preparation of costs budgets
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple cases efficiently
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in legal costing software (CostsMaster) and Microsoft Office applications
• Representing clients at detailed assessment hearings and other cost-related proceedings (Desirable)

Benefits

• We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, work-life balance and professional development, including:
• Generous annual leave (22-27 days depending on role), plus Christmas shutdown and additional birthday leave
• Extra paid leave for volunteering, moving house and study (up to 5 days)
• Long service recognition leave at 10, 15 and 20 years
• Pension scheme (3% employer contribution, 5% employee, with salary sacrifice option)
• Life assurance (2x salary) and Group Income Protection (up to state pension age)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay (subject to qualifying service)
• Wellbeing support, including Mental Health Champions, First Aiders and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan (post-probation)
• Employee referral bonus scheme
• Discounted legal services and access to an extensive Employee Benefits Portal (gym membership, health plans, private medical insurance, dental, cinema and retail discounts)
• Eye care contributions
• Complimentary office fruit deliveries twice weekly
• On-site social space with pool table and subsidised bar