Costs Budgeter in Bolton

Costs Budgeter

The Role

We are working with a leading legal client who is looking to appoint an experienced Costs Budgeter to join their specialist Costs team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Costs professional looking to further develop their technical expertise, working on complex and high-value litigation matters.

The successful candidate will manage their own caseload, providing strategic costs advice, preparing budgets, and negotiating costs matters through the costs management process.

The role will involve drafting Precedent H, reviewing and responding to opposing budgets, preparing Precedent R, and negotiating settlements ahead of costs management hearings.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a caseload of costs matters from initial review through to resolution.
• Reviewing files to develop effective costs strategies and settlement approaches.
• Drafting Precedent H budgets.
• Preparing Precedent R responses to opposing party budgets.
• Ensuring compliance with costs case management orders.
• Preparing Points of Dispute and considering Replies.
• Identifying strengths and weaknesses within costs positions and advising accordingly.
• Negotiating costs settlements through telephone discussions and written correspondence.
• Providing progress updates and reports to clients.
• Handling correspondence and calls within agreed service levels.
• Conducting regular file reviews in line with client requirements.
• Working towards agreed performance targets, quality standards, and client KPIs.
• Instructing counsel for detailed assessment hearings and mediations where required.
• Supporting and developing junior team members.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant professional standards and regulations.
• The successful candidate will have
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar Costs Budgeter or Costs Negotiator role, working on either claimant or defendant matters.
• Experience managing a caseload independently.
• Experience within the detailed assessment process, including preparing Precedent H, Precedent R, Bills of Costs, Schedules of Costs, Budgets, and Points of Dispute.
• Strong knowledge of current costs case law and litigation processes.
• Experience liaising with clients and providing costs advice both verbally and in writing.
• Strong negotiation skills, particularly over the telephone.
• Advocacy experience would be advantageous.
• Ability to use initiative, make decisions, and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a wider team.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office packages.
• Working pattern

Permanent, full-time, hybrid working available.

The role offers a competitive benefits package, including

• Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy and sell additional days.
• Private medical insurance.
• Healthcare cash plan.
• Employee wellbeing support, including access to GP, mental health, and wellbeing services.
• Pension scheme.
• Life assurance and income protection benefits.
• Employee support networks and volunteering opportunities.
• Cycle to work and technology schemes.
• Discount platforms and lifestyle benefits.
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