Law Costs Draftsman / Costs Lawyers - London

Job Description

COSTS LAWYER, SOLICITOR, CHARTERED LEGAL EXEC OR LAW COSTS DRAFTSMAN WITH LEGAL AID AND INTER PARTES EXPERIENCE – LONDON 

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Gemini Recruitment are currently partnering with specialist Lawyers and Law Costs Draftsmen  (Cost Law Services Ltd) who are seeking  experienced Costs Lawyer, Solicitor, Chartered Legal Exec or Law Costs Draftsman with extensive experience in drafting bills on Legal Aid and Inter Partes matters.

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Salary: On offer is an attractive salary package, a supportive team environment and real prospects for success and promotion. The Company will consider applicants wishing to work part time, full time or with flexible working hours. The Company will consider hybrid working.

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Accountability within a remote working culture is the norm within this business.

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COSTS BACKGROUND: 

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Costs Law Services have grown exponentially nationwide to form a team of over 30 Law Costs Draftsmen and Lawyers with immense experience in all aspects of costs law in the UK and 35+ staff nationwide. Not only do they represent a leading legal aid practice on all their billing they are now focusing on growing their client base.

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Their broad spectrum of billing across multiple areas of law is based on a sound knowledge of the costs system and the ability to manage client expectations to ensure their cash flow is maintained.

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Their work involves a wide variety of legal practice areas and including Court of Protection, Children Law, Clinical Negligence, Commercial Litigation, Family, Housing & Property Litigation, Immigration, Judicial Review and Personal Injury matters. This includes, all  the varied types of Bills, PODS; Replies; Negotiations; Budgets – relevant precedents, PA and DA assessments etc.. 

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The ideal candidate will have strong technical knowledge and experience of drafting bills and also excellent negotiation skills. The company is looking for experienced candidates who will ‘hit the ground running’.

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THE ROLE – Main Duties and Responsibilities:

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• Report directly to Supervisor;

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• Professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and a proactive understanding of clients’ needs;

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• Drafting 3 or 6 column Inter partes bills;

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• Drafting Electronic Bills;

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• To complete service of bills;

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• Drafting POD’s/ Replies;

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• Conducting Negotiations;

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• Drafting Costs Budgets and relevant Precedents;

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• Costs for summary assessment;

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• Drafting of estimates of costs to accompany Allocation Questionnaires and Pre-Trial Checklists;

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• Ability to set matters down for PA Assessment;

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• Ability to set matters for for DA assessment;

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• To complete post –assessment work;

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• To liaise and advise fee earners and support staff in relation to the variety of legal costs matters;

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• Experience in corresponding with third parties – experts, counsel etc..

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• Maintaining accurate time costing procedures on inter partes negotiations;

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• Implementing any recommendations made by your supervisor following monthly reviews ensuring that these are dealt with promptly;

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• Ensuring compliance case management system updates;

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• Experience in using Costs Master.

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Key Skills Required:

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• Demonstrate passion and experience in a Costs Law;

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• A strong academic background i.e with a Law degree

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• Legal experience as a Costs Draftsmen minimum 5 years  or a Costs Lawyer/Solicitor/Chartered legal Exec –  minimum  3 NQ years

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• Clear understanding and application of the civil procedure rules relating to costs

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• Minimum of 3 – 5 years’ depending of qualifications and experience in drafting legal aid and Inter partes bills;

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• Costs Negotiations Experience;

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• Advocacy skills helpful but not essential;

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• Business acumen and the ability to market the Company;

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• Excellent communications skills to work effectively with all types of people;

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• Excellent analytical and organisational skills and ability to use own initiative but know when to seek guidance ;

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• Committed  team player and ability to work independently,  self -motivated and professional ;

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• Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills  and Costs Master;

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• Social media skill useful.

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This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required.

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Rewards :

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• 20 days annual leave

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• Additional holiday accrual*

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• Up to 4 days paid sick leave*

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• Practicing Certificate renewed annually

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• ACL Panel Membership and Accreditation/re Accreditation/ Reaccreditation fee paid for*

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• Panel courses mandatory for Accreditation paid for*

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• Access to vast range of training webinars / E-Library

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• Automatic enrolment onto the Company’s pension scheme

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• Childcare Vouchers

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• Eye test vouchers

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• Excellent progression opportunities

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• Supportive team environment.

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• Part time working

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• Flexible working arrangements/ considered

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• Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition

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 *terms and conditions apply

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The company is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity and inclusivity of its staff and strives to ensure that their workforce reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.

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About Gemini Recruitment and Equal Opportunities:

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Gemini Recruitment is a leading recruitment agency specialising in legal recruitment. We provide a highly focused service specialising in placements for Solicitors, Legal Executives, Trainee Solicitors, Paralegals and Legal Support Staff. We have intimate knowledge of specific opportunities in the legal market across the UK.

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Our primary aim is to deliver a quality bespoke service to our clients. We are currently handling the careers of a number of experienced legal professionals ranging from legal support staff to Solicitors. Our clients are based across the country and have vacancies covering numerous areas of law. If you are looking for your first job or want to move up the career ladder, we can help.

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The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws.   Background checks including CRB / DBS checks will establish your eligibility to work in the UK and suitability to the role.

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If you are keen to begin your career with a firm that’s committed to training a new generation of Solicitors, apply now for one of our agents to contact you.

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