Costs Lawyer/Solicitor

Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Southampton

Costs Lawyer/Solicitor: Complex and High-Value Litigation

Location: United Kingdom

Hybrid: Must be able to attend one of our offices with occasional travel to our Media City, Manchester office when required to do so.

Permanent

About HF

People. Not just lawyers

We’re not your typical law firm – we’re people with a passion for helping our clients and each other achieve the best possible outcomes. We are leading legal advisers to the insurance and commercial sectors across the UK & Ireland, known for our innovation, client focus, and long-lasting relationships. We do things differently, with a forward-thinking approach built around our clients’ needs, supported by cutting-edge technology and a culture built around people from a wide range of backgrounds who are taking an equally wide range of routes to building their careers in law.

About the team

HF's Costs Department handles costs disputes across the full range of civil litigation, from fixed recoverable costs through to complex, high-value claims, and commercial litigation. The team acts for paying and receiving parties and combines technical costs expertise with pragmatic, commercially focused advice.

What our Team says;

“This is the most supportive work place I have worked at. There is always someone you can talk to, you never feel alone.” – Litigation Executive – Costs Department.

“I’ve worked in costs for 20 years and I’ve never worked at a firm where the company policies make you feel as valued as a person. The compassionate leave I received when my grandparents passed away was generous and really allowed myself to grieve and return to work fully focused.

The costs department is a really good mix of people. There is smart knowledge and leadership in place and even though most people work remotely, there is still a sense of togetherness as a unit.”- Associate Team Leader – Costs Department.

What you’ll be doing?

Role Purpose

As a Costs Lawyer/Solicitor you will manage complex and high-value costs matters arising from multi-track and other substantial litigation, providing technically sound and commercially focused advice throughout the life of the costs claim. You do not need experience across every practice area but should bring meaningful experience in at least one of serious injury, complex insurance litigation, commercial litigation or clinical negligence.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of complex and high-value costs matters, with an appropriate level of autonomy and supervision.
• Analyse the underlying litigation, procedural history, evidence and costs documentation to identify legal, evidential and commercial issues.
• Draft and consider bills of costs, including electronic bills where appropriate, Points of Dispute, Replies, statements of costs and associated schedules.
• Develop and implement strategies for negotiation, costs management, assessment and settlement.
• Advise clients and substantive lawyers on costs risk, proportionality, conduct, funding, retainers and recoverability where relevant to the matter.
• Manage detailed assessment proceedings and associated applications, including evidence, directions, hearing preparation and liaison with counsel.
• Draft clear, focused and technically accurate instructions and briefs to counsel.
• Conduct negotiations and provide reasoned settlement recommendations that address both legal merits and commercial objectives.
• Attend costs hearings or undertake advocacy where appropriate to qualification, experience and the needs of the matter.
• Build effective working relationships with clients, substantive lawyers, experts, counsel and other stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate file records, financial and management information, compliance with service standards, and achieve agreed performance targets, including billing hours and fee income objectives.
• Contribute to technical development, precedents, training and knowledge sharing within the team.
• Support and, where appropriate, supervise junior colleagues on discrete issues or matters.

What do I need?

Essential Skill and Experience

• Substantive experience of costs litigation, costs management, detailed assessment or a closely related specialist practice.
• Ability to take ownership of complex matters and identify when strategic input or escalation is required.
• Strong technical analysis and drafting skills.
• Well-developed negotiation skills and the ability to make clear, commercial recommendations.
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation, including the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Confident and concise communication with clients and other professional stakeholders.
• A detailed, evidence-led approach combined with an understanding of proportionality and commercial context.
• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute positively to the development of the wider team.

Relevant Specialist Experience

You are not expected to cover every area below. Meaningful experience in at least one is essential:

• Complex or large-loss insurance litigation, particularly personal injury and catastrophic injury.
• Commercial litigation and associated costs management or assessment work.
• Clinical negligence costs, or experience capable of transferring into this developing area.

Desirable, but not essential

• Experience of both paying-party and receiving-party work.
• Experience of electronic bills, costs budgeting, CCMCs or detailed assessment hearings.
• Experience of advocacy, instructing counsel or managing appeals and challenges. A qualification as a Costs Lawyer, CILEX Lawyer, solicitor or barrister. Strong applications from experienced unqualified costs professionals will also be considered.
• Experience of supervising, mentoring or delivering technical training.

What’s in it for you?

Apart from the competitive salary you’d expect, our package of benefits reflects our values of partnership, innovation, and being real people. We’re committed to creating a dynamic workplace where everyone feels supported, empowered, and part of our success.

You’ll enjoy:

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 with service) + Holiday Buy Scheme
• Life Insurance & Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance & Healthcare Cash Plan
• Employee Assistance Programme & Digital GP services
• Pension Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Leave
• Hybrid & Flexible Working Options
• Discounted Gym Membership & Employee Discount Hub
• Flu & Eyecare Vouchers – and more!

Sounds great? What next?

As an equal opportunities’ employer, we're passionate about inclusive hiring approaches.

When you apply, you'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll do our best to support you.

Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Southampton

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