Paralegal / Costs Draftsman in Norwich

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.

The team you will join:

Our client base is diverse and ranges from individuals to multinational corporations. The team works closely with the firm’s Dispute Resolution Department, Private Wealth Disputes Team and Social Housing Team.

The work you will be doing:

• Assessing opponent’s costs, advising client on settlement parameters and negotiating with opponents primarily in housing disrepair claims
• Drafting Statements of Costs for Court hearings
• Working to deadlines
• Maintaining accurate time-costing procedures
• Ensuring compliance with file management
• General team administration
• Supporting the wider Costs Team

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:

• A Law degree or equivalent
• Experience of working in a law firm or professional office environment preferable.
• Relevant experience of costs litigation an advantage but not essential.
• Relevant experience of Court of Protection work an advantage but not essential.
• Excellent attention to detail together with analytical and organisational skills.
• Committed team player who can adapt well to new challenges.
• 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.

As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:

• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• 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.