Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage legal costs litigation and provide expert advice within a dynamic team.
- Company: Join HMRC, a diverse and inclusive workplace committed to your growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal development and coaching in a collaborative team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in legal costs while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in direct costs litigation and strong negotiation skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 45544 - 45544 £ per year.
About the job
Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC. At HMRC we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues; an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve. We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us and we offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career at HMRC accessible to you. Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.
About HMRC Legal Group
Across HMRC Legal Group we provide legal services to the whole of HMRC. This includes:
- The conduct of independent reviews of decisions made by HMRC which are requested by customers under the legislative provisions.
- The conduct of tribunal and civil litigation on a full range of services.
- Work on new legislation.
- Drafting of statutory instruments and other legal documents.
- Legal advice to ExCom and staff.
The Legal Costs Team sits in the NICERS (National Minimum Wage, Insolvency, Costs, Enforcement, Readiness and Support) Team. The Costs Team is a busy team that undertakes the assessment of legal costs, both in Adverse Costs and Costs Recovery for HMRC and the Valuation Office Agency as well as work in relation to Costs Budgets. The work includes various types of costs recovery and adverse, including Tax related litigation, and general civil litigation including judicial reviews and personal injury. Our work is split in the various jurisdictions in the various tax and valuation Tribunals as well as the civil Courts at all levels. Members of the Team will often provide costs related advice and/or training to lawyers and case workers within the HMRC Legal Group.
You must be able to grasp complex or technical matters quickly and possess a keen eye for detail while maintaining a comprehensive overview. A working knowledge of legislation and case law in relation to costs and the relevant CPR and Practice Directions is essential. The successful candidate will be required to work under minimal supervision and can work well under pressure. Your work will be predominantly with lawyers, paralegals, and other litigators but you will also work with panel counsel, panel costs lawyers and other stakeholders. You will be responsible for drafting costs budgets, assessing bills of costs, drafting Points of Dispute, negotiating settlements and drafting Schedules of Costs. Attending costs hearings, including anywhere within England and Wales where necessary. Draft Instructions to Counsel, Costs Panel Member, or a Junior Team Member. Make and respond to Costs Applications. Provide Costs Training within the Costs Team and the wider HMRC Legal Group. Report to Finance monthly. Manage a small number of team members.
Person specification
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- Ability to manage and prioritise a caseload efficiently as well as work well under pressure.
- Ability to assess claims which are high value and complex.
- Strong knowledge of costs budgeting.
- Excellent negotiation and analytical skills to secure the best outcomes.
- Strong communication skills to liaise effectively with all levels of stakeholders.
- Excellent technical skills in the relevant area, and strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.
- Proficient IT skills including using Microsoft 365 packages including Office, Teams and SharePoint.
Please note there is no requirement for any applicants to be a Costs Lawyer and does not require a Costs Lawyer's qualification.
Essential Criteria
Candidates must have significant experience in direct costs litigation. This includes drafting costs budgets, assessing bills of costs, drafting Points of Dispute, drafting Replies, negotiating settlements, attending Detailed Assessment hearings, and drafting schedules of costs. Candidates must also have significant experience of using Microsoft 365 packages.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £45,544, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £13,194 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs. We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days. Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary. Family friendly policies. Personal support. Coaching and development.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
How to Apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following: A name-blind CV including your job history and previous experiences. A 1000-word Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement should include how your skills and experience are suitable for the advertised role and to include how you meet the Personal Specification above. You should also detail how you meet the Essential Criteria.
Senior Legal Costs Litigator - Bristol employer: HMRC
Contact Detail:
HMRC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Costs Litigator - Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former HMRC employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. Personal connections can give you insights that you won't find anywhere else.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those behaviour-based questions! Think of examples from your past that showcase your decision-making skills and how you handle pressure. We want to see how you think on your feet, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your negotiation skills! Since this role involves a lot of costs-related discussions, be ready to discuss your approach to negotiations. Maybe even prepare a mini case study to demonstrate your analytical prowess.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining HMRC and being part of our diverse team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Costs Litigator - Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Stellar Personal Statement: Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role. Be specific about your achievements in legal costs litigation and don’t forget to mention your knowledge of costs budgeting.
Tailor Your CV: When it comes to your CV, one size definitely doesn’t fit all. Tailor it to reflect the essential criteria mentioned in the job description. Showcase your experience in drafting costs budgets and attending hearings to grab our attention!
Be Honest and Authentic: While it might be tempting to use AI tools for your application, remember that honesty is key. All examples should come from your own experiences. We value authenticity, so let your true self shine through in your application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at HMRC
✨Know Your Costs Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of costs budgeting and the relevant legislation. Be prepared to discuss specific cases you've worked on, including how you assessed claims and negotiated settlements. This will show that you have the practical experience needed for the role.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be liaising with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about examples where you've effectively communicated complex legal concepts to non-legal colleagues or clients. This will demonstrate your ability to work well within a team and across departments.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect to face behaviour-based questions during the interview. Reflect on past experiences where you've made effective decisions or delivered results under pressure. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Familiarise Yourself with HMRC's Values
Research HMRC's commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as their flexible working policies. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in being part of their culture.