Cost Lawyer

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer within the firm’s central team, this full time (35hr a week), London based role will include handling a cost claim case load and providing advice on all costs law issues to the various litigious departments across the firm. 

Some of your day to day tasks will include:

• Draft Points of Dispute and Replies to claims for costs.
• Assist in the preparation of costs budgets and advise on costs budgets presented by an opposing party.
• Advise on retainers and fee arrangements between clients and their legal advisors.
• Advise on and prepare claims for costs.
• Advise on disputes between solicitors and their clients.
• Handling own case load of costs claims; to include negotiation of disrepair claims within the Land Tribunal along with exposure to all cost’s claims undertaken across the firm.

You will have experience of fixed costs or negotiating and settling more complex files at a reputable law firm. You will also have either completed the Costs Lawyer course or be looking to complete it in the near future (which would be supported by the firm).

A passion for data with the ability to create concise reports, and written submissions, along with proven negotiating skills (as the job requires frequent litigation work will be required. You will enjoy the forward planning involved in building a budget for case costs, thinking laterally about contingencies and forecasting.

In return, the role would see you work with some of the City's most talented litigation lawyers (including property and construction law),  on complex, intellectually stimulating work.

Winckworth Sherwood is an exciting, diverse, and growing business. We are a full-service law firm with a diverse client base, that prides itself on providing  advice across a broad range of sectors and markets. Delivering a first-class service is key to everything we do.

Our clients range from some of the UK’s largest businesses and institutions, housebuilders and developers through to investors, professional partnerships, family offices, not for profit organisations and private individuals – all of which benefit from the flexible, practical approach of our lawyers.

We recognise that our people play a key part in our success and as a result we are committed to their development and well-being. We promote a healthy work-life balance and flexibility, keeping our people motivated and stimulated to deliver great things.

Application review

Your profile will be screened by a member of the WS recruitment team. If you CV is shortlisted, you will be invited to have a short call with our Recruitment Manager, Ash Evans, to discuss your interest in the vacancy. No AI is used in our application screening process! Every candidate who applies to this role will be told if they have been successful or not in moving to the next stage.

1st interview (in person at our London office)

This will be with two of our litigator partners. They will discuss your interest in the role, what you are looking for professionally, and ask some competency/behavioural questions that relate to the key skills/behaviours needed for this position.

Every candidate who reaches this stage will be offered the chance to have a feedback call with our Recruitment Manager to understand why they weren't progressed to the next interview stage, so that you can use this feedback to help with other job applications.

2nd interview (in person at our London office)

At this stage, you will get the opportunity to meet our COO, who this role reports into. This is will be a good opportunity to ask additional role specific questions and understand more about how this role fits in strategically. 

Every candidate who reaches this stage will be offered the chance to have a feedback call with our Recruitment Manager to understand why they weren't offered the position, so that you can use this feedback to help with other job applications.

Offer of employment

If you are successful and accept our offer of employment, we will submit your details to our background screening company (Giant), who will conduct a series of background checks. Once these have been completed and we have separately validated your proof of right to work in the UK, a start date can be agreed, and your onboarding schedule can be planned.