At a Glance
- Tasks: Negotiate costs and handle fixed costs caseloads in a dynamic legal environment.
- Company: Join Express Solicitors, a top-rated personal injury law firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and support for professional qualifications.
- Other info: Exciting career growth potential with training contracts available for high achievers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the legal field while developing your negotiation skills.
- Qualifications: 2-5 years of experience in case handling and knowledge of fixed costs claims.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Sharston, M22 4SN
Salary: £30,000 to £40,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Job type: Full time, Permanent
About Us: Established in 2000, Express Solicitors is an award winning, no win no fee law firm specialising exclusively in personal injury claims. Headquartered in Manchester, we support clients nationwide across all areas of personal injury, including employers' liability, serious injury, clinical negligence, occupiers' and public liability, road traffic accidents and industrial disease. We are ranked 64th in The Lawyer UK Top 200, out of more than 10,000 law firms nationwide, and after achieving a 20% year on year growth, Express Solicitors are the largest personal injury claimant firm in the UK. Our commitment to outstanding client care is reflected in our Trustpilot rating of 4.8 (Excellent), placing us among the highest rated firms in the sector.
About the Role: We are currently looking for a Cost Negotiator to join our established costs department of 40 plus. The position will involve handling a fixed costs caseload reviewing inter partes disputes, developing persuasive arguments making offers, negotiating settlement and preparing cases for summary and detailed assessment.
The role involves:
- Reporting to supervisor in weekly review meetings.
- Working to a caseload, WIP and fee target.
- Reviewing and negotiating fixed costs cases.
- Drafting letters, Costs Schedules, Part 23 Applications and Part 8 Proceedings.
- Skeleton arguments and written submissions.
- Liaising with fee earners and management.
- Providing assistance to other team members as and when required.
Responsibilities:
- Progressive Management of a caseload.
- Securing payments on account of costs at the earliest opportunity.
- Ensure that the quality of work produced is to the highest standard.
- Reviewing costs schedules/bills with a view to negotiating Claimants costs, generally disputed fixed costs cases, and settling costs files in a timely manner.
- Negotiating settlement of costs and reporting terms of settlement.
- Preparing bills/Part 23 Applications and/or Replies to Points of Dispute in fixed costs cases.
- Drafting Part 8 and Part 23 Proceedings.
- Preparing cases for assessment hearings.
- Attending costs hearings where appropriate.
- Provide technical support to the costs team on fixed costs disputes.
- Maintaining the highest client care and service standards.
Person Specification:
- A good working knowledge of fixed costs claims and the costs process.
- A good working knowledge of CPR Cost related procedures, Pre-Action Protocols, and case law for fixed costs disputes.
- 2 to 5 years' experience of case handling and working to target.
- Ability to deal with advocacy at costs hearings on fixed costs matters (not essential but desirable).
- Good commercial awareness and a professional attitude.
- Ability to work to time scales and cope under pressure.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work within a team.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Good IT skills, experience of Proclaim, Excel and Cost Master is desirable.
The role also offers excellent career development prospects for the right candidate, as the firm offers training contracts or support through the ACL qualification, for those candidates who prove themselves.
Salary Costs Draftsperson, Costs Draftsman, Legal Executive, Costs Lawyer, Costs Solicitor will also be considered for this role.
Costs Negotiator employer: EXPRESS SOLICITORS
Express Solicitors is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Sharston where employees are valued and supported in their professional growth. With a strong commitment to client care and a remarkable Trustpilot rating, the firm fosters a collaborative culture that encourages teamwork and innovation. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, comprehensive training opportunities, and a clear pathway for career advancement, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the legal sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Costs Negotiator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the legal field, especially those who work in costs negotiation. Attend industry events or join online forums to connect with potential employers and get insider info on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to costs negotiation. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using mock interview platforms to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of your previous work or case studies to interviews. This will help demonstrate your expertise in fixed costs claims and your ability to negotiate effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Express Solicitors.
We think you need these skills to ace Costs Negotiator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Costs Negotiator role. Highlight your experience with fixed costs claims and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your communication and time management skills in your application. These are key for the role, so give us examples of how you've used them in past experiences. We’re all about teamwork and efficiency!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at EXPRESS SOLICITORS
✨Know Your Costs Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fixed costs claims and the costs process. Familiarise yourself with CPR Cost related procedures and Pre-Action Protocols, as these will likely come up during your interview. Being able to discuss specific case law related to fixed costs disputes will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about how you would handle specific situations, such as negotiating settlements or preparing bills. Think through some examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed a caseload or dealt with challenging negotiations. This will help you demonstrate your problem-solving skills and commercial awareness.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
As a Costs Negotiator, you'll need to liaise with various stakeholders, so it's crucial to showcase your excellent communication skills. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask the interviewers about their team dynamics or client care standards, which shows your interest in collaboration.
✨Demonstrate Time Management Mastery
With targets and deadlines being a big part of this role, be ready to discuss how you manage your time effectively. Share specific strategies you use to prioritise tasks and cope under pressure. This will reassure the interviewers that you can handle the demands of the job while maintaining high-quality work.
