Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and assess Bills of Costs, negotiate settlements, and manage costs effectively.
- Company: Birketts, a top UK law firm with a rich 160-year heritage.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, private healthcare, hybrid working, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Embrace a flexible work culture and enjoy excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in diverse legal sectors.
- Qualifications: Minimum 3 years' experience as a Costs Lawyer/Solicitor with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About Us
Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client. We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face. Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 6th best law firm to work at in 2026. With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 42% of our partnership.
The team you will join
Our client base is diverse and ranges from individuals to multinational corporations, via legal professionals across the civil litigation sector, with a particular emphasis in the insurance, shipping, commercial litigation, property litigation, construction and social housing sectors.
The work you will be doing
- Prepare/Assess Bills of Costs, draft Points of Dispute/Replies to Points of Dispute, advise clients on settlement parameters and negotiate with opponents
- Costs management - Prepare Precedent H, Precedent R or simplified costs budgeting equivalent, engage in budget discussions and potentially attend hearings
- Prepare Statements of Costs
- Provide ad hoc advice on costs issues
- Keep abreast of legal updates and provide updates to the wider team
- Maintain accurate time-costing procedures
- Ensure compliance with file management
- Provide supervision to team members
Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.
What we are looking for
- We are seeking an ambitious, driven and forward-thinking Costs Lawyer or Costs Solicitor
- A strong academic background
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience
- Prior supervisory experience an advantage
- Clear understanding and application of civil procedure rules relating to costs
- Costs negotiation experience essential
- Experience of social housing disrepair and/or Court of Protection preferable.
- Excellent attention to detail together with analytical and organisational skills.
- Committed team player who can adapt well to new challenges.
- Strong ability to work to tight deadlines
- Ability to use own initiative and show sound judgement
- Strong IT Skills - familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills.
Hybrid Working
Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. This role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
- Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
- Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
- Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
- Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
- Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
- Paid CSR Day
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Subsidised gym membership
- Electric car scheme
- Dress for your Day Policy
Inclusivity and Culture
At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.
Costs Lawyer / Solicitor employer: Birketts LLP
Contact Detail:
Birketts LLP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Costs Lawyer / Solicitor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Birketts and understanding their Next Level Law approach. Think about how your skills as a Costs Lawyer or Solicitor align with their values and be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Costs Lawyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to refine your approach and boost your confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Birketts team and are keen to contribute to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Costs Lawyer / Solicitor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Costs Lawyer/Solicitor role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in costs negotiation and civil procedure rules, to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your analytical and organisational skills. We love a candidate who can demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to work under tight deadlines, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Yourself: Let your personality shine through! We’re looking for a committed team player who can adapt to new challenges, so share your experiences that showcase your collaborative spirit and initiative.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into our hands quickly, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birketts LLP
✨Know Your Costs Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of costs management and civil procedure rules. Brush up on your knowledge of Precedent H and R, as well as any recent legal updates that could impact your role. This will show your potential employer that you're not just familiar with the basics but are also proactive in staying informed.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've been involved in, especially those related to costs. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes. This is crucial since negotiation experience is essential for the role, and demonstrating your ability to navigate these discussions can set you apart.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Leadership
Since prior supervisory experience is an advantage, think of instances where you've led a team or mentored colleagues. Highlight how you foster collaboration and support others in achieving their goals. Birketts values a collegiate culture, so showing that you can contribute positively to a team dynamic is key.
✨Be Ready for Hybrid Working Questions
With the role offering a hybrid working model, be prepared to discuss how you manage your time and productivity when working from home versus in the office. Share strategies that help you stay organised and meet deadlines, as this will demonstrate your adaptability and commitment to maintaining high standards regardless of your work environment.