Court of Protection - Costs Assistant in Brierley Hill

Job title

Court of Protection - Costs Assistant

Department

Private Client – Court of Protection

Our Purpose

To forge long-term relationships that have a positive impact on our people, our clients, our business partners, and our communities.

Our Commitment to Our People

We do not think there is a magic formula to the Higgs culture. The key is to listen to and respect our people. If we take care of our people and our people take care of our clients, then everything we want as a firm will take care of itself. We are friendly and open to new ideas.

Our Core Values

Higgs core values are “CLEAR” – Care, Legacy, Excellence, Authenticity, Relationships

Role Purpose

The Court of Protection Costs Assistant provides administrative and technical support to the Court of Protection team in the preparation, submission, and management of Court of Protection costs claims. The role involves assisting with the preparation of bills of costs, maintaining accurate records, liaising with fee earners and external stakeholders, and ensuring that applications are progressed efficiently and in accordance with Court of Protection and SCCO requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and assist with the drafting of Court of Protection bills of costs and detailed assessment applications.
• Review client files, time records, invoices, and disbursements to ensure all recoverable costs are identified and accurately recorded.
• Liaise with fee earners, deputies, and finance teams to obtain information required for costs submissions.
• Compile, organise, and submit costs bundles and supporting documentation to the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO).
• Monitor claim progress, maintain accurate records, and update case management systems with key developments.
• Track and manage deadlines, ensuring all costs claims and related correspondence are submitted on time.
• Assist with the reconciliation of costs recoveries and support the production of management reports on outstanding claims and recovered fees.
• Ensure compliance with Court of Protection requirements, internal procedures, and data protection regulations while maintaining the highest levels of accuracy and confidentiality.

Person Specification

The criteria below will be assessed via application (A), interview (I) or both (A/I).

Essential Criteria

• Acts with integrity and discretion, recognising the importance of confidentiality when managing personal, client, or firm information (A/I)

• Ability to accurately record, organise, and maintain client and matter information using appropriate systems, ensuring information is accessible, secure, and supports the team efficiency (A/I)

• Communicates with clarity, sharing ideas appropriately, listening actively, and contributing to discussions that support effective decision-making and continuous improvement. (A/I)

• Experience in taking ownership of tasks with responsible time management, attention to detail and professional responsibility. (A/I)

• 
  Brings a positive attitude and proactive approach to your role, helping to foster a respectful and inclusive workplace. (A/I)

Technical Know How

• Proficient in using Microsoft 365 applications to organise tasks, manage time effectively and support collaborative working (essential). (A/I)

What We Offer You

We offer more than just a job. Our benefits reflect our commitment to your development, wellbeing and work-life balance. Click here to discover more.

Higgs offers hybrid working wherever possible. Our Higgs’ Best FIT (flexible, inclusive, together) principles are designed to ensure that people can complete their best work from the most appropriate location. If you are looking to work flexibly then let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate your request.

We also encourage a ‘dress for your diary’ approach which means dressing in a manner appropriate for your schedule or the specific appointments you have on any given day.

Equal Opportunities

Higgs LLP is proud to be a signatory of The Law Society’s Diversity, Inclusion Charter and a Disability Confident Committed Employer. These commitments reflect our dedication to building a workplace that is inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities.

As part of our Disability Confident commitment, we offer a guaranteed interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role and choose to opt into the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

We are also committed to ensuring that all applicants can fully participate in the recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know by contacting us at [email protected]

We recognise that inclusion is an ongoing journey, and we regularly review and publish our diversity data, which can be accessed here.

People Driven. Legal Excellence.