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- Tasks: Join our litigation team to lead costs strategy and mentor junior members.
- Company: Mills & Reeve, a top 50 UK law firm with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in legal costs while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Costs Lawyer or Solicitor with strong drafting and negotiation skills.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with flexible arrangements and a commitment to diversity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join our dynamic litigation team. Lead costs strategy, draft, negotiate, mentor, and grow with expert support and varied legal work.
The role involves:
- Drafting Bills of Costs, N260s, Precedent H budgets and related documents
- Managing costs instructions from start to finish
- Advising on costs law, procedure and strategy
- Supporting training, development and business growth initiatives
The person will be a Costs Lawyer, Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with experience in a wide range of costs litigation and a knowledge of costs law and procedure. Your background and experience will include:
- A solid understanding of litigation
- Good drafting skills in relation to preparation of Bills of Costs, N260, Precedent H Costs Budgets and their associated precedents
- Experience and confidence in inter partes costs negotiations
- The ability to produce high quality written work in the form of client advice, Points of Dispute/Reply, written submissions etc.
- Whilst not essential, advocacy experience would be desirable
- Managing own caseload to deadlines ensuring high quality work is produced
- Supervising junior members such as costs draftspersons, paralegals and paralegal apprentices
- Some experience around managing multiple stakeholders will be beneficial
The activities will include, but not be limited to:
- Drafting costs precedents, such as Bills of Costs (both Precedent A and S), N260, Costs Budgets (Precedent H), Budget Discussion Reports (Precedent R) and Budget Variations (Precedent T)
- Conducting costs negotiations on behalf of paying and receiving parties “cradle to grave” i.e. dealing with costs instructions from inception up to Detailed Assessment and if necessary, any appeal
- Providing ongoing and ad hoc costs advice to clients and internal lawyers in relation to costs procedure, law and strategy
- Assisting with training and development of junior staff, internal lawyers and clients
- Supporting with business development, the LST roadshows and growing the LST
- Considering and offering new perspectives to the way in which the LST delivers services to all practice areas and clients
- Attending client meetings and meetings with internal teams as appropriate
- Collaborating with teams to identify process improvement opportunities
The benefits include a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits.
We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment, are happy to consider flexible working arrangements, and want to achieve the right balance for both our people and the firm.
Costs lawyer employer: Mills & Reeve
Contact Detail:
Mills & Reeve Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Costs lawyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in costs law. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to costs law and litigation. We recommend role-playing with a friend or mentor to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your previous work, like Bills of Costs or successful negotiations, to the interview. This will demonstrate your skills and give you an edge over other candidates.
✨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.
We think you need these skills to ace Costs lawyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Costs Lawyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in costs litigation and showcase your drafting skills. We want to see how you fit into our dynamic litigation team!
Show Off Your Skills: Don’t hold back on demonstrating your expertise in costs law and procedure. Include specific examples of your past work, especially in drafting Bills of Costs and managing negotiations. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate high-quality written work, so make sure your application reflects that!
Apply Early!: We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so don’t wait around! Head over to our website and submit your application as soon as you can. We’re excited to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mills & Reeve
✨Know Your Costs Law
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of costs law and procedure before the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific cases or examples where you've successfully navigated costs negotiations, as this will show your expertise and confidence in the field.
✨Showcase Your Drafting Skills
Since drafting Bills of Costs and related documents is a key part of the role, bring along samples of your previous work if possible. This not only demonstrates your drafting skills but also gives you a chance to talk through your thought process and approach to complex documents.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Expect questions about how you've managed multiple stakeholders in past roles. Think of specific examples where you successfully balanced different interests and how you communicated effectively with all parties involved.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
The role involves mentoring junior team members and collaborating with various teams. Be ready to share experiences where you've supported others or contributed to team success. Highlight your ability to work well with others and your commitment to fostering a positive team environment.
