Fixed Costs Assistant

This role sits within the Technical Costs Department and is ideally suited to a candidate with limited or no prior experience who is looking to start their career in legal costs. The role will focus on supporting legal costs related matters across a range of legal claims, including reviewing fixed costs files, considering and making settlement offers, assisting with negotiations and helping to prepare costs schedules. With training and guidance from our experienced colleagues, the successful candidate will develop their understanding of legal costs while contributing to the efficient resolution of legal cost disputes. This position offers a great opportunity for someone with strong A Levels and an interest in law to build practical experience while working collaboratively within a specialist team.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the management of a caseload of RTA Claimant fixed cost matters with guidance and support from experienced colleagues.
• Reviewing fixed costs claims and assisting with negotiations in a timely and proactive manner.
• Learning to develop and apply effective counter arguments on disputed legal costs claims.
• Working closely with fee earners and management to support the smooth progression of cases.
• Assisting in providing clear instructions to our in house legal costs litigation team.
• Supporting colleagues and contributing positively to a collaborative team environment.
• Assisting with the preparation of Precedent U cost schedules for Trial and Disposal hearings.
• Building professional working relationships with Third Party Solicitors and insurers.
• Reviewing client balances and working with the finance team to help ensure compliance with SRA Accounts Rules.
• Working towards agreed performance targets while maintaining quality and consistency, with support and coaching where required.

Experience and Knowledge

• An interest in legal costs and the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR); any prior exposure through study, work experience or similar would be advantageous but is not essential, as full training will be provided.
• Strong numerical skills, with comfort in reviewing, calculating and working with financial related figures.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, with the ability to learn new systems quickly; experience using case management systems would be an advantage but is not required.
• Strong organisational and multitasking skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast paced environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with a collaborative and professional approach.
• A strong ability to retain information and apply knowledge learned through training and experience.
• A proactive, positive and solutions focused mindset, with a genuine willingness to learn and work towards agreed objectives.

Here at Carpenters Group diversity and inclusion matters, it is integral to our culture and we welcome applications from everyone. We celebrate difference and believe in equal opportunities for all.

Benefits

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working model
• 2 x Volunteering days to support charitable initiatives
• Matched Giving - up to £250 matched for personal charity fundraising for a registered charity
• Medicash cash plan - claim back dental / physio / optical appointments
• My Medicash App - including access to rapid digital physiotherapy and skin cancer screening assessments plus fitness videos and wellbeing tools
• Discounts and cash back on travel and shopping through Medicash extras
• Life Assurance Scheme (4 x salary)
• Pension scheme
• Active network of Wellbeing Champions - providing mental health support
• Training and development opportunities
• Funded social events to connect with your colleagues
• Dress for your day policy

About Us

Here at Carpenters Group, we’ve been providing legal and insurance services across the UK for over 30 years. We’ve grown from a small law firm into a 1500 people strong team made up of insurance professionals, legal experts and best in class corporate services, working across seven office locations. We work in partnership with household name insurers to deliver a variety of fully outsourced claim solutions. We also represent individuals who need expert legal support. As a great place to work our core values underpin how we behave. Our working environment is positive and informal, and we encourage people to work together to perform at their best. We understand that our success as a business depends on the success of our people, which is why we invest in your training, development and social projects, helping everyone to connect and grow. No matter what stage of your career, at Carpenters Group there is a place for you to achieve your potential.