Senior Inter Partes Costs Draftsman - Costs Lawyer (x2)

Senior Inter Partes Costs Draftsman - Costs Lawyer (x2)

Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd) is a regulated law firm headquartered in London. The role is part of the national Costs team supporting the billing and recovery process for a wide range of legal sector clients.

Responsibilities

• Reporting directly to the Manager and contributing to team-wide performance
• Drafting and 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 cases
• Drafting estimates of costs to accompany Allocation Questionnaires and Pre‑Trial Checklists
• Conducting negotiations on bills, including attendance at CCMCs
• Overseeing the issuing of the Notice of Commencement and associated documents
• Working to deadlines
• Attendance at Detailed Assessment Hearings as necessary
• Providing technical and costs guidance to fee earners where required
• Assisting junior members to complete post‑assessment work, with training and ad‑hoc queries
• Maintaining accurate time costing procedures
• Implementing supervisor recommendations from monthly meetings promptly
• Ensuring full compliance with file management and internal quality standards
• Contributing to internal training and ongoing development of costs management processes

Key Skills

• Minimum of 3 years legal experience in Costs Law, drafting legal aid and inter partes bills, and applying civil procedure rules relating to costs
• Experience drafting IP bills of costs, preferably with LAA experience (3 & 6 column bills)
• Ability to prepare costs budgets and schedules of costs
• Strong negotiation skills
• Ability to draft points of reply
• Independent working capacity as well as team collaboration
• Risk assessment ability
• Provision of sound advice to clients
• Setting matters down for assessment
• Understanding of Part 8 procedure
• Advocacy desirable but not essential
• Target‑oriented work approach
• Familiarity with Costs Master useful but not essential
• Proficient in MS Excel and Microsoft Office
• Sound judgment and initiative
• Advocacy experience an advantage

Benefits

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

Equal Opportunities

Duncan Lewis is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity. The company ensures a workforce that reflects the communities served. An interview is guaranteed for candidates who disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post.