Costs Draftsman

**JOB TITLE**: Costs Draftsman / Lawyer / Junior Costs / Negotiator

Our Southampton / Newcastle based Costs team deal with costs arising out of complex and high value defendant personal injury cases. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who has been dealing with legal costs for a minimum of 12 months and wishes togive their career a boost by dealing with costs of significant value and complexity. The team in Southampton work alongside the file handlers so a true joined up, professional approach can be taken to the case(s). The Southampton costs team are part of a widerKeoghs Legal 500 tier 2 costs team so there is plenty of expertise at hand

**JOB PURPOSE**:
The role will involve drafting and negotiating budgets, drafting points of dispute and negotiating costs settlements as well as advising lawyers on costs points.

**ACCOUNTABILITIES**:

- To prepare Precedent H and analyse Claimant’s Precedent H and prepare Precedent R.
- To prepare points of dispute and considering replies
- To enter into negotiations in respect of the parties budgets.
- To negotiate costs on settled RTA/EL/PL matters. To pursue the settlement of costs as soon as practicably possible.
- Assisting Costs lead and Senior costs draftsman on complex high value cases
- Instruct Counsel or Costs Lawyer to attend Detailed Assessment or alternatively conduct own advocacy
- Responsibility of own caseload and hitting a daily chargeable hours target

It is important that the job holder can quickly review files & formulate initial costs strategy, provide comprehensive advice to clients, commence early telephone negotiations with other side and liaise, as required, with Insurers throughout the life ofthe file.

**RECRUITMENT CRITERIA**:
**Essential**:

- 12 months experience as a minimum in a similar costs negotiator/draftsman role either claimant or defendant.
- Previous experience of client liaison.
- Experience of preparing Points of Dispute and considering replies.
- Good standard of education - 3 GCSE’s grade C or above or equivalent including Maths, English & Science as a minimum.
- Good telephone negotiation skills
- Previous experience of handling own caseload.
- Have an understanding of the Detailed Assessment process, Cost Case Laws and Insurance Litigation practice & process.
- Ability to use own initiative.
- Ability to plan and prioritise workloads.
- Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to make decisions.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Ability to act as part of a team.
- Proficient IT skills.

Desirable:

- Education - Degree and/or LPC and/or ALCD.
- Experience of Cost Budgeting
- Conducted own advocacy.

**Values**:
Our culture is focussed on making Keoghs sustainable and successful for our people and clients, with this our five values are at the heart of everything we do;
Keoghs values
- We listen, are down to earth and supportive
- We work together towards a common goal
- We’re friendly with a can do attitude
- We care about our clients
- We evolve

**Compensation & Benefits**:
An excellent **compensation package** along with: 25 days holiday per year (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days), hybrid working 1 day per week in the office, Private Medical Insurance, Skills development framework which brings career opportunitiesdepending on your ambition and own aspirations, Health Cash Plan, Life assurance, Critical Illness Cover, PHI/Income Protection, Pension Contribution based, Cycle to Work Scheme, Tech Scheme, Season Ticket Loan, Gym Flex

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for interest in this position and in our organisation

Strictly no agencies please