Law Costs Draftsman / Costs Lawyer

Gemini Recruitment are currently partnering with specialist Law Costs Draftsmen (Cost Law Services Ltd)  who are seeking  two  experienced and senior Law Costs Draftsman/Lawyers with extensive experience in drafting bills on Legal Aid and Private Client matters but is looking to combine their experience with practice  management of the Company and to further develop their practice.

Salary: On offer is an attractive salary package, a supportive team environment and real prospects for success and  promotion. The Company will consider applicants wishing to work part time, full time or with flexible working hours. The Company will allow working from home.

Accountability within a remote working culture is the norm within this business.

Costs background

Costs Law services have grown exponentially nationwide to form a team of over 30 Law Costs Draftsmen and Lawyers with immense experience in all aspects of costs law. Not only do they represent a national legal aid practice on all their billing, they are now focusing on growing their client base.

Their broad spectrum of billing services across  multiple areas of practice, is based on a sound knowledge of the costs system and the ability to manage client expectations to ensure their cash flow is maintained.

Their work involves preparing bills & budgets in Court of Protection, Children Law, Clinical Negligence, Commercial Litigation, Family, Housing & Property Litigation, Immigration, Judicial Review and Personal Injury matters.

The ideal candidate will have strong technical knowledge and experience of drafting bills and also excellent negotiation skills but who would be keen to reduce their Costs practice for a more practice management role.

The successful candidate will be part of a senior team in the overall business development of the Company. The candidate will be required to develop and grow the company by expanding its client base. The candidate will be involved in performance management of draftsmen and lawyers employed or engaged as consultants along with, auditing and reporting, The role will also involve interviewing and recruitment of candidates that will help deliver company objectives. The ideal candidate will also be involved in developing policy, staff training, strategic planning and implementation of business objectives. Promoting the Company through social media activity will be an essential part of the role.

Commitment, drive and a hunger to take the company to the next level will need to be in abundance. The company is looking for experienced candidates who will ‘hit the ground running’.

The Role

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Report directly to the director
• Professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and a proactive understanding of clients’ needs
• Conducting Performance meeting with Costs Draftsmen & Lawyers to ensure individual targets are being met
• Ensuring Company performance targets are met
• Training draftsmen and ensuring changes in Costs Law or billing practices/procedures are cascaded to the team in a timely manner
• Carrying out staff appraisals.
• Business development – looking to market the Company in accordance with the strategic business development plan to increase client base and turnover.
• Guiding staff who have queries when drafting Legal Aid Claims (Claim 1’s/Claim 1a’s/ Claim 2’s, inter partes bills, budgets and plans);
• To liaise and advise fee earners and support staff in relation to the variety of legal costs matters
• Keeping up to date and further developing company policy, procedures, manuals and case management systems.
• Involved in Company strategic planning and implementation of business objectives.
• Involvement in auditing and reporting

Key Skills Required

• Demonstrate passion and experience in a Costs Law
• A strong academic background i.e. with a Law degree
• All round legal experience as a Costs Draftsmen & or a Costs Lawyer

• Clear understanding and application of the civil procedure rules relating to costs
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in drafting legal aid and Inter partes bills
• Costs Negotiations Experience;
• Experience in advocacy skills helpful but not essential.
• Prior supervisory experience helpful
• Practice management and business development experience helpful
• Business acumen and the ability to market the Company

• Excellent communications skills to work effectively with all types of people
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills and ability to use own initiative but know when to seek guidance
• Committed  team player,  self -motivated and professional 
• Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills  
• Ability to mange social media activity to promote the Company

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required.

Rewards 

• 20 days annual leave
• Additional holiday accrual*
• Up to 4 days paid sick leave*
• Practicing Certificate renewed annually
• ACL Panel Membership and Accreditation/re Accreditation/ Reaccreditation fee paid for*
• Panel courses mandatory for Accreditation paid for*
• Access to vast range of training webinars / E-Library
• Automatic enrolment onto the Company’s pension scheme
• Childcare Vouchers
• Eye test vouchers
• Excellent progression opportunities
• Supportive team environment.
• Part time working
• Flexible working arrangements/ considered
• Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition

 *terms and conditions apply

The company is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity and inclusivity of its staff and strives to ensure that their workforce reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.

About Gemini Recruitment and Equal Opportunities:

Gemini Recruitment is a leading recruitment agency specialising in legal recruitment. We provide a highly focused service specialising in placements for Solicitors, Legal Executives, Trainee Solicitors, Paralegals and Legal Support Staff. We have intimate knowledge of specific opportunities in the legal market across the UK.

Our primary aim is to deliver a quality bespoke service to our clients. We are currently handling the careers of a number of experienced legal professionals ranging from legal support staff to Solicitors. Our clients are based across the country and have vacancies covering numerous areas of law. If you are looking for your first job or want to move up the career ladder, we can help.

The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws.   Background checks including CRB / DBS checks will establish your eligibility to work in the UK and suitability to the role.

If you are keen to begin your career with a firm that’s committed to training a new generation of Solicitors, apply now for one of our agents to contact you.

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