Costs Negotiator

Description

To pursue the settlement of legal costs as soon as practicably possible on a range of Complex Injury claims.

Department: Legal

Location: Bolton

• Proactively review cases to formulate an initial costs strategy and settlement parameters.
• Prepare points of dispute and consider replies.
• Identify and document strengths and weaknesses of own case and opponent’s costs claimed.
• Use the telephone to discuss, put forward meritorious arguments, and negotiate settlement of costs.
• Update reports to clients on progress made in resolving costs claimed.
• Deal with correspondence and telephone calls received within SLAs.
• Undertake periodic reviews of files in line with client requirements.
• Settlement of costs within agreed negotiation parameters.
• Instruct counsel and attend conferences, detailed assessment hearings, and mediations, remotely and in person.
• Attend court for application hearings, detailed assessment hearings and mediations, remotely and in person to conduct own advocacy.
• Deliver agreed performance targets, Keoghs quality standards, and client’s SLAs, KPIs and MI requirements.
• Delegate assigned tasks to a Paralegal and be fully engaged in their development in terms of technical ability and achievement of objectives.
• Ensure compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations.

Working Hours: 28 – 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Primary location for this role is Bolton Office.

• Minimum 12 months experience in a similar costs negotiator role, handling own caseload.
• Degree and/or LPC and/or ALCD.
• 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.
• 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 remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to act as part of a team.
• Proficient IT skills in Microsoft packages.

• Team commitment:
  Values others' perspective.
• Resilience:
  Demonstrates self-control.
• Passion for growth and improvement:
  Systematically improves performance.
• Embracing Change:
  Responds positively to change.
• Client Care:
  Works to add value for the client.
• Decision Making:
  Operates within formal authority.
• Negotiation, Influence and Persuasion.
• Commercial Insight:
  Considers some commercial implications.
• Monitors own performance against objectives set by Team Leader.

• Davies Incentive Plan
• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
• 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 – after 1 year’s service.
• Pension Contribution 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