Overview
In this role you will analyse and recover costs in HMRC litigation, supporting lawyers and panel counsel. You will handle high-value, complex costs matters across tribunals and courts, advising on budgets and strategies. You will contribute to costs training and ensure compliance with Civil Procedure Rules. The role sits in the Legal Costs Team of NICERS, working with diverse stakeholders and accounting for budgets and settlements. This is a chance to shape costs outcomes in a large public sector environment with flexible/hybrid working options.
Pay / Benefits
- Civil Service Pension (Alpha 28.97% of salary)
- Flexible and Hybrid Working
- Generous leave 25-30 days
- Development and coaching
- Family-friendly policies
- Personal support
Responsibilities
- Maximise costs recovery through negotiation, detailed assessment, and costs litigation
- Assess and challenge adverse bills of costs via negotiation and detailed assessment
- Draft Points of Dispute and Replies
- Review complex litigation files to assess recoverable costs
- Instruct Costs Panel or Costs Counsel as appropriate
- Advise lawyers and clients on costs recovery and liabilities
- Prepare costs budgets and budget discussion reports; advise on variations
- Provide strategic advice on costs consequences arising from litigation and settlements
- Ensure compliance with Civil Procedure Rules, Tribunal costs rules, and relevant authorities
- Provide Costs Training within the Costs Team and wider HMRC Legal Group
- Report to Finance monthly and manage a small team
Key requirements
- Significant experience in direct costs litigation with minimal supervision
- Experience assessing bills of costs, drafting Points of Dispute and Replies
- Negotiating settlements and attending Detailed Assessment hearings
- Drafting schedules of costs and costs budgets
- Strong IT skills including Microsoft 365 (Office, Teams, SharePoint)
- Excellent negotiation, analytical, and stakeholder liaison abilities
- Ability to manage and prioritise a caseload under pressure
- Experience with costs budgeting
- strong communication
- teamwork
- ability to work under pressure
- Microsoft 365 (Office, Teams, SharePoint)
- costs budgeting
- detailed assessment procedures
Senior Legal Costs Litigator in Reading employer: United Kingdom Government
At HM Revenue and Customs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous professional development. As a Senior Business Analyst, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative projects in a dynamic environment while benefiting from flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee growth. With a focus on meaningful work and a supportive team atmosphere across various UK locations, HMRC is dedicated to helping you thrive in your career.
