Costs Negotiator

To pursue the settlement of legal costs as soon as practicably possible on a range of Legacy (industrial disease) claims. A Junior Costs Negotiator should be able to proactively review cases; formulate an initial costs strategy and settlement parameters; provide comprehensive advice to clients; commence early telephone negotiations with opponents; and liaise, as required, with Insurers throughout the life of the file.

The Junior Costs Negotiator should be able to establish strong working relationships within the Costs team; the wider Keoghs business; and with our clients through use of excellent oral skills and succinct written communications. The Junior Costs Negotiator will be expected to attain their Objectives as well as Client SLAs and KPIs. Support and mentoring with their Personal Development Plan will be provided to enable technical development and career progression.

Key Responsibilities:

• You will be responsible for your own caseload, progressing each file from receipt of papers from Legacy team to resolution of costs.
• Proactively reviewing cases to formulate an initial costs strategy and settlement parameters.
• Preparing points of dispute and considering replies.
• Identifying and documenting strengths and weaknesses of own case and opponent's costs claimed.
• Using the telephone to discuss; put forward meritorious arguments; and negotiate settlement of costs.
• Updating reports to clients of progress made in resolving costs claimed.
• Dealing with correspondence and telephone calls received within SLAs.
• Undertaking periodic reviews of files in line with client requirements.
• Settlement of costs within agreed negotiation parameters.
• Instructing counsel and attending conferences; detailed assessment hearings; and mediations, remotely and in person.
• Attending court for application hearings; detailed assessment hearings and mediations remotely and in person to conduct own advocacy.
• Delivery of agreed performance targets; Keoghs quality standards; and client's SLAs, KPIs and MI requirements.
• Delegate assigned tasks to a Paralegal and be fully engaged in their development in terms of technical ability and achievement of objectives.
• To ensure compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations.

Working Hours: 28 - 35 hours per week Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Primary location for this role is Birmingham Office.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise:

• Ideally will have performed a similar junior costs negotiator role, either for claimant or defendant, handling own caseload. Full training and supervision will be provided to any candidate without this experience.
• Degree and/or LPC and/or ALCD.
• Previous experience of client/customer liaison - taking instructions and providing advice both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of the Detailed Assessment process and the relevant CPR provisions relating to costs.
• Good telephone negotiation skills.
• An understanding of current cost case law and insurance litigation practice and process.
• Ability to use own initiative and make decisions.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads and to remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to act as part of a team.
• Proficient IT skills in Microsoft packages.

Required Soft Skills:

• Personal Effectiveness.
• Team commitment: Values others perspective.
• Resilience: Demonstrates self-control.
• Passion for growth and improvement: Systematically improves performance.
• Embracing Change: Responds positively to change.
• Business Focus.
• Client Care: Works to add value for the client.
• Decision Making: Operates within formal authority.
• Negotiation, Influence and Persuasion.
• Commercial Insight: Considers some commercial implications.
• Monitors own performance against objectives set by Team Leader.