A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our well established Law firm based across County Durham and Teesside. We are looking for a diligent, confident, self-motivated and experienced cost draftsperson/costs lawyer.

This is a bespoke role within the organisation and you will be expected to independently manage the firm’s costs work, both private and legal aid.

Responsibilities to include:

· To prepare and submit family bill submissions on CCMS

· To prepare bills of costs for detailed assessment

· Deal with the processing of Family High Case Cost bills

· Prepare cost claims for submission to the opposing solicitor(s) and the courts

· Undertake negotiations re costs issues

· Chase outstanding costs/disbursements

· To prepare Statements of Costs for summary assessment

· To prepare costs budgets and budget discussion reports

· To hold budget discussions / negotiations with other parties, and conduct cost management hearings

· Prepare Points of Dispute and Replies

· To prepare applications for interim Costs Certificates and hearing bundles for Detailed Assessment

· Attend detailed assessments and engage in effective negotiations for settlements

· To liaise and advise with fee earners and support staff in relation to any costs related queries

· Draft estimates of costs to accompany Allocation Questionnaires and Pre Trial Checklists

· Draft statements of costs (N260’s) for summary assessment and new Fixed Recoverable Costs Schedules

· Draft Notices of Commencement

· Serve bills of costs on paying parties

About you:

Minimum of 3-5 years’ of Cost Draftsperson experience

· Experience in drafting bills of costs for Personal Injury, Family and Court of Protection work

· Experience of legal aid billing including CCMS and High Case Costs

· Able to demonstrate strong administrative and organisational skills

· Excellent communication skills including oral and written presentation skills

Salary is negotiable, dependent on experience.

Additional benefits include:

• Additional leave over the Christmas period
• An additional day of leave for your birthday
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted conveyancing fees
• Funded social events
• Support for and involvement in charity events and activities