Junior Costs Negotiator

Job Description

Junior Costs Negotiator - Complex Injury Costs negotiator required to work join a growing team dealing with costs arising out of complex and high value defendant personal injury cases. Drafting and negotiating budgets. Drafting points of dispute and negotiating costs settlements. Advising lawyers on costs points.To prepare Precedent H and analyse Claimant’s Precedent H and prepare Precedent R. To enter into negotiations in respect of the parties budgets.To negotiate costs on RTA/EL/PL matters. To pursue the settlement of costs as soon as practicably possible. It is important that the job holder can quickly review files & formulate initial costs strategy, provide comprehensive advice to clients, commence early telephone negotiations with other side and liaise, as required, with Insurers throughout the life of the file.Key Accountabilities• Responsible for management of own caseload using in-house case management system including timely and accurate maintenance of the system along with billing and management information - ensuring completeness of records in order to aid business decision making.• Responsible for hitting chargeable hours target every day.• Delegation of tasks where available and appropriate to other members of the team.• Drafting Precedent H• Preparing Precedent R on opponent’s Precedent H and compliance with Costs Case Management Orders• Preparing points of dispute and considering replies.• Reviewing files.• Identifying strengths and weaknesses and preparing a document to reflect this.• Preparing cost strategy reports.• Settling costs.• Dealing with correspondence and telephone calls.• Undertaking periodic reviews of files in line with Client requirements.• Updating reports.• Meeting agreed performance targets.• Provide written updates by email or letter to clients detailing case activity to ensure that they receive up to date and accurate information about progress when requested.• Instruct Counsel or Costs Lawyer to attend Detailed Assessment or alternatively conduct own advocacy.• To ensure compliance with the SRA Code of Conduct 2011.Essential Skills and Attributes• 12 months experience as a minimum in a similar costs negotiator/draftsman role either claimant or defendant.• Previous experience of client liaison.• Experience of preparing Points of Dispute and considering replies.• Good standard of education - 3 GCSE’s grade C or above or equivalent including Maths, English & Science as a minimum.• Good telephone negotiation skills• Previous experience of handling own caseload.• Have an understanding of the Detailed Assessment process, Cost Case Laws and Insurance Litigation practice & process.• Ability to use own initiative.• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads.• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.• Ability to make decisions.• Ability to remain calm under pressure.• Ability to act as part of a team.• Proficient IT skills.Desirable:• Education - Degree and/or LPC and/or ALCD.• Experience of Cost Budgeting• Conducted own advocacy.