Costs Draftsman

Pogust Goodhead is a unique partnership between British and American lawyers with particular expertise in group litigation. The firm is currently managing some of the largest claims in English legal history, including claims arising from the collapse of the Fundão Dam, which is the largest environmental disaster in Brazil’s history.

The firm is also at the cutting edge of group consumer claims, representing hundreds of thousands of affected clients throughout Europe and across the globe.

You may have seen our MyDieselClaim.com television adverts, which have led to over 1.3m+ people wishing to bring claims against car manufacturers regarding their alleged NOx emissions cheating.

Pogust Goodhead has offices in the UK, US, the Netherlands and Brazil. See our website for more information.

Why is this role crucial for Pogust Goodhead?

We are in an exciting period of expansion, and currently have numerous litigations underway, covering a range of matters across the globe. In order to meet the demands of this busy period, we are actively looking to expand our internal costs department with an experienced costs draftsman. As part of this team, you will be responsible for providing accurate case budgets, cost estimates, and ultimately costs claims, in order to ensure that our clients' financial interests are protected. This role will be vital in helping us to manage the financial aspects of these cases effectively and efficiently and provide the best out outcome for all parties.

Requirements

Role & responsibilities and core competencies

• To prepare case budgets, costs estimates, Precedent H costs budgets and costs claims
• Clear understanding and application of the civil procedure rules relating to costs.
• To assist the department in a wide variety of costs related matters, including taking ownership of costs matters relating to specific litigations
• Undertaking other duties reasonably required by partners or senior management

What you’ll bring to Pogust Goodhead:

Essential

• Costs draftsperson / Lawyer with good day-to-day experience of drafting bills and costs budgets/estimates. Including an understanding of phasing in costs budgets

• Understanding of the mechanics of presenting a costs claim.
• IT literate with a good working knowledge of Excel and Word. Previous knowledge or experience of a case management system is essential.
• Being able to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in written form.
• Clear understanding and application of the civil procedure rules, not just relating to costs.
• Numerate with an attention to detail.
• Able to work to deadlines and an ability to work in a collaborative fashion within a team framework
• Understanding of the mechanics of presenting a costs claim, particularly in relation to matters conducted by a legal team.

Desirable

• Experience in instructing counsel and liaising with clerks
• Commercial outlook
• Knowledge of group litigation costs
• Good understanding of the level of work required to prepare a case from pre-action to case end at trial
• Good understanding of presentation of case reports in relation to litigation funding
• An understanding of the law in relation to security for costs

This job description is not an exhaustive or definitive list and is subject to change based on the needs of the business and appropriate experience.

Benefits

• 25 days of annual leave (plus 8 Bank Holidays)
• Discretionary bonus
• Private Medical Insurance
• Private Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Paternity leave - 2 months paid enhanced leave
• Maternity leave - 6 months paid enhanced leave
• Employee Assistance Programme - access to counselling and a variety of external support for you and your family members
• Employee referral bonus
• E-bikes and gym discounts (salary sacrifice schemes)
• Season ticket loans
• 2 paid CSR / charity days per year

Pogust Goodhead employee commitment

At Pogust Goodhead, we believe in championing personal growth and achievements, but first and foremost, we are also a team and a team is strongest when everyone feels that they are supported and valued as individuals.

We know that our team are the heart of Pogust Goodhead, and that is why we make the following commitment to all our people:

• To be a meritocracy with a fair and transparent pay review process
• To offer opportunities for internal promotion
• To provide everyone with a fair and structured performance review process
• To provide a learning environment that supports its employees in becoming experts in their roles
• To give all Pogust Goodhead’s people opportunities to influence and improve how we work
• Our commitment to building an inclusive workplace

Pogust Goodhead is an equal opportunities employer who believes passionately that our team should represent the diversity of the clients that we support. We are committed to providing a place of work that provides fair and equal career growth and learning opportunities to all its employees.

We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind within our company, and we celebrate creating a culture offering opportunity for all, regardless of race, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, disability, or religious beliefs.

We will retain your details on file for six months from the date of your application.

Please see further information here on how Pogust Goodhead handles personal data.