Junior Costs Negotiator

**Description**:
To assess and settle claims for costs in Clinical Negligence claims and to deal with all procedural aspects up to agreement or assessment in an entry level role to file handling.

Managing own caseload of end of life payables.

**Key Accountabilities**:
Drafting the following documents:

- Chronology
- Costs Strategy Document
- Points of Dispute
- Part 18 requests
- Consent orders

Evidential Reviews and Assessments

- Carrying out detailed review of file and preparing chronology
- Assessing claim for costs and setting strategy/reserves
- Assessing replies
- Reviews of incoming disclosure and documentary evidence
- Referral for supervision
- Assessing outcome of PA

Reporting

- Drafting advice on NDA files to client.
- Preparing outcome reports once the case has concluded
- Preparing non-strategic updates to client on cases assisting lead on

Settlement Negotiations

- Assessing part 36 offers/other settlement proposals
- Negotiation with third party
- Completing MI; payment request and outcome report to client
- To ensure compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations

Working Hours
35 hours per week, Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch.
Primary location for this role is Bolton

**Experience, Skills and Qualifications**:
Essential

- English & Maths GCSE grade A to C/Level 5 or equivalent
- IT literate (Microsoft Office)
- Organisational skills particularly the ability to prioritise and multitask
- Interpersonal skills
- Oral communication - Experience of costs negotiation and setting negotiation strategies
- Customer services skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to take initiative
- An understanding of client needs/requirements
- Good knowledge of litigation and costs process
- Proficient use of a case management system

Desirable

- Legal office experience
- Use of a Case management system Degree/Equivalent experience/qualification

**Benefits**:

- 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
- Simply Health Care Cash Plan
- WeCare - 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing
- Death In Service - after 1 years’ service
- Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
- Cycle to Work Scheme*
- Tech Scheme*
- Season Ticket Loan*
- Gym Flex*
- Access to Online Discount Sites
- Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
- Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
- Discounts at local retail outlets
- after successfully completing probation

**About Keoghs**:
Keoghs is a leading provider of legal and claims solutions to insurers, businesses and other suppliers to the insurance sector. We manage more than £1bn worth of insurer claims and resolve in excess of 100,000 claims per year working in partnership with leading insurers, MGAs, brokers, corporates and the public sector.

With more than 50 years’ experience we have an in-depth understanding of the insurance claims process, enabling us to contain and lower litigation rates, shorten claims lifecycles and reduce overall claims costs. We combine proven processes, technology and low cost infrastructure with extensive legal and insurance market knowledge. This enables us to create individual solutions for each of our clients that match their requirements in terms of quality, performance and value for money.

We invest heavily in specialised services, technology and innovation for our insurance clients, and we are the first to launch a true artificial intelligence (AI) insurance lawyer. Through our proprietary AI lawyer, Lauri, we’ve transformed the claims handling process for low-value personal injury claims; we’ve reduced claim lifecycles and reduced costs for our clients. Supported by commercial acumen and innovative products, Keoghs leads the way in providing legal solutions to the insurance industry.