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For Companies At a Glance
- 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 excellent career progression.
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
We are looking for a skilled and proactive Costs Lawyer, Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive to join our Litigation Services Team (LST), supporting the firm's contentious work. Reporting to the Senior Costs Manager, Ged Courtney, and working closely with the Head of Legal Operations, Jodie Hosmer, you will lead on costs drafting and negotiations, supervise junior team members, and provide expert advice to lawyers and clients.
You will be involved in:
- 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
You 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 you will be working with and supporting the Head of Legal Operations and the Senior Costs Manager. It is envisaged activities will include, but not be limited to the below:
- 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
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. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your costs law knowledge and recent case studies. We want you to showcase your expertise and confidence when discussing costs drafting and negotiations.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Costs Lawyer position. We love seeing applications directly from motivated candidates who are eager to join our dynamic 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 experience in costs litigation and your drafting skills, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Show Off Your Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your drafting abilities and negotiation experience. We want to see examples of your high-quality written work, so include relevant documents or summaries if possible!
Be Proactive: In your application, demonstrate your proactive approach to managing costs instructions and mentoring junior team members. We love candidates who take initiative and can lead by example.
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 to avoid missing out.
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. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨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. Discuss your approach to drafting and how you ensure high-quality output. This will demonstrate your attention to detail and expertise in this area.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Expect questions about managing multiple stakeholders and how you handle differing opinions. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. This will highlight your teamwork and communication skills.
✨Emphasise Your Mentoring Experience
As the role involves supervising junior team members, be ready to talk about any mentoring or training experience you have. Share how you’ve helped others grow in their roles and the impact it had on the team. This shows you’re not only a skilled lawyer but also a supportive colleague.
