About the role
To pursue the settlement of legal costs as soon as practicably possible on a range of high value legacy / military claims.
A Senior Costs Advisor should also be able to proactively review cases; formulate an initial costs strategy and settlement parameters; provide comprehensive advice to clients; commence early telephone negotiations with opponents; and liaise, as required, with Insurers throughout the life of their own files and mentor team members to be able to do the same with their caseloads through provision of supervisory support.
The Senior Costs Advisor should be able to establish strong working relationships within the Costs team; the wider Keoghs business; and with our clients through use of excellent oral skills and succinct written communications.
The Senior Costs Advisor will be expected to attain their Objectives as well as Client SLAs and KPIs. Support and mentoring with their Personal Development Plan will be provided to enable technical development and career progression.
The Head of Costs is Howard Dean; Technical Director is Elaine Pitt; and Business Unit Director is Amanda Nuttall. This role is in the MOD Costs team with Paul Edwards as Lead Lawyer and Darren Lee, as Team Leader.
Key Responsibilities
You will be responsible for your own caseload, progressing each file from receipt of papers from the client and/or Keoghs Legacy teams to resolution of costs. In addition, as a Senior Costs Advisor, a key part of the role is the motivation, engagement and technical development of more junior team members. The role will include:
* Responsibility for management of own caseload using in-house case management system including timely and accurate maintenance of the system along with billing and MI – ensuring completeness of records to aid business decision making * Drafting Precedent H, Precedent R and compliance with Costs Case Management Orders, conducting own advocacy at CCMC if required * Drafting Bills of Costs and Costs Schedules * Preparing Points of Dispute and considering Replies * Provide strategic or tactical advice to clients and main Keoghs teams * Preparing for detailed assessment and either conducting own advocacy where appropriate or instructing and supporting Counsel * Identifying strengths and weaknesses and preparing a document to reflect this * Preparing cost strategy reports, providing strategic costs advice * Dealing with correspondence and telephone calls * Undertaking periodic reviews of files in line with Client requirements * 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 * Conduct own advocacy (following receipt of support & mentoring, if required) * Responsible for hitting chargeable hours target every day * Delegation of tasks where available and appropriate to other members of the team * Assisting the Lead Costs Lawyer with identifying new costs initiatives & strategies in practice area and to help develop Keoghs’ brand * Deputise for the Lead Lawyer as and when required, including supporting with delivery of client training and roll out of new initiatives * Support Lead Lawyer/ Team leader to develop, train, supervise, and mentor other team members * Take responsibility for specific client relationships * To ensure compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations
Working Hours 35 hours per week Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Primary location for this role is Bolton Office.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* 5 years experience as a minimum in a similar costs negotiator/advisor role, either for claimant or defendant, handling own caseload * Degree and/or LPC. ACL preferred * Previous experience of client liaison - taking instructions and providing advice both verbally and in writing * Experience of the Detailed Assessment process including preparing Points of Dispute and considering replies * Good telephone negotiation skills * An understanding of current cost case law and insurance litigation practice and process * Ability to use own initiative and make decisions * Ability to plan and prioritise workloads and to remain calm under pressure * Excellent listening and verbal communication skills * Ability to act as part of a team * Proficient IT skills in Microsoft packages
Benefits
* Davies Incentive Plan * 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days) * Family Cover Private Medical Insurance (Bupa) * Simply Health Care Cash Plan * WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing * Death in Service * Critical Illness Cover * PHI/Income Protection (Private health insurance) * Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer * Employee Resource Groups * Employee Volunteering Programme * Cycle to Work Scheme* * Tech Scheme* * Season Ticket Loan* * Gym Flex* * Access to Online Discount Sites * Discounted Gourmet Society Membership * Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide * Discounts at local retail outlets
* after successfully completing probation