Complex Injury Claims Junior Costs Negotiator in Newcastle upon Tyne

Junior costs negotiator required to work on defendant large loss cases. Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating budgets, drafting points of dispute, negotiating costs settlements, and advising lawyers on costs points.

Purpose: To prepare Precedent H, analyse Claimant’s Precedent H, and prepare Precedent R. Engage in negotiations on the budgets and negotiate costs on RTA/EL/PL matters. Pursue the settlement of costs as soon as practicably possible. The job holder must quickly review files, formulate initial costs strategy, provide comprehensive advice to clients, commence early telephone negotiations with the other side, and liaise with Insurers throughout the life of the file.

Key Accountabilities:

• Responsible for management of own caseload using in-house case management system, ensuring timely and accurate maintenance of the system along with billing and management information.
• Ensure completeness of records to aid business decision making.
• Responsible for hitting chargeable hours target every day.
• Delegate tasks where available and appropriate to other team members.
• Draft Precedent H and prepare Precedent R on opponent’s Precedent H, ensuring compliance with Costs Case Management Orders.
• Prepare points of dispute and consider replies.

Working Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with 1 hour unpaid for lunch. Primary location for this role is Newcastle office.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

• Previous experience of client liaison.
• Good standard of education – 3 GCSEs grade C or above or equivalent including Maths, English & Science as a minimum.
• Good telephone negotiation skills.
• Previous experience of handling own caseload.
• Understanding of the Detailed Assessment process, Cost Case Laws, and Insurance Litigation practice & process.
• Ability to use own initiative and plan and prioritise workloads.
• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to make decisions and remain calm under pressure.

Values: Our culture is focused on making Keoghs sustainable and successful for our people and clients, with our four values at the heart of everything we do: We are connected, We are Dynamic, We are Innovative, We succeed together.

Benefits:

• Davies Incentive Plan
• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
• Simply Health Care Cash Plan
• WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support, and virtual wellbeing covering various topics related to health, mental health, wellbeing, and financial & legal wellbeing
• Death In Service – after 1 year’s service
• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
• Employee Resource Groups
• Employee Volunteering Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Tech Scheme*
• Season Ticket Loan*
• Gym Flex*
• Access to Online Discount Sites
• Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
• Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
• Discounts at local retail outlets

*after successfully completing probation