Senior Inter Partes Costs Draftsman / Costs Lawyer

Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd):

Regulated by the Solicitor's Regulation Authority, Duncan Lewis Solicitors was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in the City of London (Fenchurch Street EC3M), with offices nationwide. We are recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK independent legal directories as a top–tier law firm in all of our key practice areas – "a diligent and professional team that is prepared to go the extra mile for its clients". A paperless law firm with over 500 personnel that embraces hybrid–working, we service both corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 areas of law across 60 languages. We give people a voice – that is our ethos.

Recognised among The Times 200 Best Law Firms, we have been awarded Law Firm of the Year at the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and 2023 Modern Law Awards, reflecting our dedication to legal expertise and client service. We hold Investors in People Gold Standard accreditation for over 15 years, showcasing our commitment to professional development. Duncan Lewis is also Law Society Lexcel, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001 certified, ensuring excellence in practice management and data security.

We are committed to recruiting dedicated and talented professionals and welcome applications from exceptional candidates. At Duncan Lewis, we value training and diversity, and we take pride in our inclusive workforce.

The Role:

The ideal candidate will join a well–established national team of experienced Costs Lawyers and Costs Draftsmen, supporting the full lifecycle of the billing and recovery process for a wide range of legal sector clients. This senior position requires strong technical expertise, excellent drafting ability, and confident negotiation skills. Candidates with substantial Legal Aid experience and the ability to hit the ground running will be particularly valued.

Main Responsibilities of the Role:

• Report directly to Manager
• Drafting / preparing inter partes bills of costs, costs budgets; and points of reply/dispute
• Drafting inter partes bills with Legal Aid element
• Drafting Claim1's, 1a's and VHCC/HCCP case
• Drafting of estimates of costs to accompany Allocation Questionnaires and Pre–Trial Checklists.
• Negotiations of Bills including attendance at CCMC's
• Overseeing the Issuing of the Notice of Commencement and associated documents
• Working to deadlines
• Attendance upon Detailed Assessment Hearing as and when necessary
• Providing technical / costs guidance to fee earners where required
• Assist junior members of the team to complete post –assessment work, with training and ad hoc queries
• Maintaining accurate time costing procedures
• Implementing any recommendations made by your supervisor following monthly meetings ensuring that these are dealt with promptly
• Ensuring full compliance with file management and internal quality standards
• Contributing to internal training and the ongoing development of costs management processes

Key Skills Required:

• Minimum of 3 years legal experience in Costs Law namely drafting legal aid and Inter partes bills along with clear understanding and application of the civil procedure rules relating to costs
• Ability to draft an IP bill of costs (preferably with some LAA experience – 3 & 6 column bills)
• Ability to prepare costs budgets and have experience in the same
• Ability to draft schedule of costs and breakdowns
• Ability to negotiate
• Ability to draft Points of Reply
• Ability to work on their own and within a team
• Ability to risk assess
• Ability to provide sound advice to client's
• Ability to set matters down for assessment
• Have an understanding of Part 8 procedure
• Advocacy would be desired but not essential
• Work to achievable targets
• Familiar with Costs Master would be useful but not essential
• Have good Excel skills and Microsoft skills

Why Join Us:

• A supportive, knowledgeable team that values expertise and encourages growth
• Opportunities to mentor, lead, and shape best practice within the department
• The chance to work on high–quality, complex matters that stretch your skills
• Clear pathways for progression within a respected national Costs team

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.

Equal Opportunities:

Duncan Lewis is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity of its staff. The Company strives to ensure that our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, which is reflective at all levels within our workforce. We guarantee an interview for candidates that disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post. Please provide additional details in your covering letter if this applies.