At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage a diverse caseload of costs matters, including drafting and negotiating settlements.
- Company: Join a growing Costs team in a vibrant Leeds City Centre office.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, profit sharing, generous holiday, and private health insurance.
- Other info: Enjoy admin support, professional development, and regular social events.
- Why this job: Build your career in a dynamic environment with varied civil claims work.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Costs Lawyer or Law Costs Draftsman is essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Leeds City Centre
Salary: £35,000 to £55,000
Experience: Costs drafting experience (claimant and/or defendant work)
Our client is looking to recruit a Costs Draftsman (Costs Lawyer/Law Costs Draftsman) to join a growing Costs team on a full-time, permanent basis in Leeds City Centre. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys technical costs work and wants to build a varied caseload across a range of civil claims. You will be supported by admin resource, allowing you to focus on drafting, analysis and negotiation.
What You’ll Be Doing
Over time, the role is expected to involve managing a diverse caseload of costs matters, including:
- Drafting bills of costs
- Negotiating settlements
- Preparing budgets and dealing with points of dispute
The work is expected to include a mix of:
- Claimant clinical negligence
- Personal injury
- Inquest matters
- Professional negligence
- Historic sexual abuse claims
- Some defendant housing disrepair matters
Key Responsibilities
- Preparation of traditional three-column bills of costs
- Preparation of Precedent S bills of costs and Precedent H documents
- Preparation of points of dispute and replies
- Analysing costs offers and preparing advice on costs issues
- Undertaking costs negotiations
- Prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines across a varied caseload
- Using a case management system and maintaining strong IT standards
- Liaising with clients, solicitors and other legal professionals
What We’re Looking For
- Experience as a Costs Lawyer and/or Law Costs Draftsman
- Degree-level education or comparable work experience
- Excellent attention to detail and strong analytical skills
- Proactive approach and willingness to learn
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel
What’s On Offer
- Salary of £35,000 to £55,000 (dependent on experience)
- Varied costs caseload with a mix of claimant and defendant work
- Admin support to enable you to focus on drafting and negotiation
- Profit sharing scheme (tax-free on payments up to £3,600 per year), subject to 12+ months employment at the end of the calendar year
- Holiday entitlement starting at 23 days, increasing to 26 days after 1 year and 31 days after 5 years’ service (pro-rata for part-time employees)
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme (subject to HMRC eligibility) with 5% employer contributions
- Death in service life assurance (3 times salary)
- Private health insurance after 1 year’s employment
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after 2 years’ employment
- 24/7 employee assistance programme, including counselling support
- Paycare health cash plan (employee paid contributions)
- Discounted bus travel and interest-free loan for an annual train or bus pass
- Professional membership/subscription support
- Free conveyancing on your main residential property after 1 year’s employment
- A free will after 1 year’s employment
- Regular social events
Working Arrangements
Full-time, permanent
Leeds City Centre
Next Steps
Apply online or send your CV to lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com or call 0333 996 2882 for more information. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We will always obtain your express permission before sharing your details with our client.
Costs Draftsman in Leeds employer: Hawthorne-finch Talent Solutions
Join a dynamic and supportive team as a Costs Draftsman in the heart of Leeds City Centre, where you will enjoy a varied caseload and the opportunity to focus on your drafting and negotiation skills. With competitive salaries, generous holiday entitlements, and a range of employee benefits including profit sharing and private health insurance, we prioritise your professional growth and well-being. Our vibrant work culture encourages collaboration and offers regular social events, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
Contact Details:
Hawthorne-finch Talent Solutions Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Costs Draftsman in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience as Costs Draftsmen. They might know of opportunities or can even refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your costs drafting knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific cases you've worked on and how you handled negotiations. This will show your expertise and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Use our website to find roles that excite you, and tailor your approach to each one!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the position and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Costs Draftsman in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Costs Draftsman role. Highlight your costs drafting experience and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how your background fits with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about costs work and how your experience aligns with our needs. Keep it concise but engaging – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Attention to Detail:As a Costs Draftsman, attention to detail is key. Make sure your application is free from typos and errors. We appreciate candidates who take the time to present their best selves in writing!
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 Hawthorne-finch Talent Solutions
✨Know Your Costs Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your costs drafting knowledge, especially regarding the preparation of bills and points of dispute. Familiarise yourself with the different types of claims mentioned in the job description, like clinical negligence and personal injury, so you can speak confidently about your experience.
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you've used your analytical skills in past roles. Think of specific examples where you’ve had to analyse costs offers or negotiate settlements. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the varied caseload they’re looking for.
✨Highlight Your IT Proficiency
Since good IT skills are essential for this role, make sure to mention your experience with case management systems and software like Microsoft Word and Excel. If you have any specific examples of how you’ve used these tools to improve efficiency or accuracy, share those too!
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the team dynamics, the types of cases you’ll be handling, or how success is measured in the role. It shows that you’re genuinely interested and engaged with the opportunity.
