Assistant Manager | Law Costs Draftsman | Costs Lawyers | London |

Assistant Manager - City of London

(Costs Lawyer/Solicitor/Chartered Legal Exec/Law Costs Draftsman)

Gemini Recruitment are currently partnering with specialist Law Costs Draftsmen (Cost Law Services Ltd) who are seeking an experienced an experienced Costs Professional ( Costs Lawyer/Solicitor/ Chartered Legal Exec or Law Costs Draftsman), with extensive experience in dealing with Inter Partes work and Legal Aid maters. Cost Law Services is looking for a candidate to combine their experience with practice management and assistance in supervision staff and to assist in the development of their practice.

Salary: On offer is an attractive salary package, a supportive team environment and real prospects for success and promotion. The Company will consider applicants wishing to work part time, full time or with flexible working hours. The Company will consider Hybrid working.

Accountability within a remote working culture is the norm within this business.

COSTS BACKGROUND:

Costs Law Services have grown exponentially nationwide to form a team of over 30 Law Costs Draftsmen and Lawyers with immense experience in all aspects of costs law in the UK and 35+ staff nationwide. Not only do they represent a national legal aid practice on all their billing, they are now focusing on growing their client base in the UK, and due to the vast expansion require an Assistant Manager to assist the City of London Team.

Their broad spectrum of billing services varies across multiple areas of practice is based on a sound knowledge of the costs system and the ability to manage client expectations to ensure their cash flow is maintained.

Their work involves a wide variety of legal practice areas and including Court of Protection, Children Law, Clinical Negligence, Commercial Litigation, Family, Housing & Property Litigation, Immigration, Judicial Review and Personal Injury matters. This includes, all the varied types of Bills, PODS; Replies; Negotiations; Budgets – relevant precedents, PA and DA assessments etc..

The Role:

The ideal candidate will have strong technical knowledge and experience of drafting bills, excellent negotiation skills, supervision or training experience would be beneficial. Cost Law services would also be keen on candidate who are looking to reduce their Costs practice for a more Assistant management role.

The successful candidate will be part of a management team in assisting of the overall business development of the Company. The candidate will be required to develop and grow the company by expanding its client base, whilst supervising a team.

The candidate will be involved in performance management of draftsmen and lawyers employed or engaged as consultants along with, auditing and reporting,

The role may also involve assisting the Manager in recruitment of candidates that will help deliver company objectives, where necessary.

The ideal candidate will also be involved in developing policy, staff training, strategic planning and implementation of business objectives.

Promoting the Company through social media activity will be an essential part of the role.

Commitment, drive and a hunger to take the company to the next level will need to be in abundance. The company is looking for experienced candidates who will ‘hit the ground running’.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Report directly to the Manager;
• Professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and a proactive understanding of clients’ needs;
• Conducting Performance meeting with Costs Draftsmen & Lawyers to ensure individual targets are being met;
• Ensuring Company performance targets are met for team members;
• Training draftsmen in Inter Partes matters of LAA and ensuring changes in Costs Law or billing practices/procedures are cascaded to the team in a timely manner;
• Carrying out staff appraisals;
• Business development – looking to market the Company in accordance with the strategic business development plan to increase client base and turnover;
• Guiding staff who have queries when drafting Legal Aid Claims (Claim 1’s/Claim 1a’s/ Claim 2’s, inter partes bills, budgets and plans);
• To liaise and advise Clients fee earners of and support staff in relation to the variety of legal costs matters;
• Keeping up to date and further developing company policy, procedures, manuals and case management systems;
• Involved in Company strategic planning and implementation of business objectives.
• Involvement in auditing and reporting of team members;

Key Skills Required

• Demonstrate passion and experience in a Costs Law
• A strong academic background i.e. with a Law degree
• All round legal experience as a Costs Lawyer, Solicitor, Charted Legal Exec or Costs Draftsmen.
• Clear understanding and application of the civil procedure rules and LAA rules relating to costs;
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in drafting legal aid and Inter partes bills
• Costs Negotiations Experience;
• Experience in advocacy skills;
• Prior supervisory experience;
• Practice management and business development experience helpful;
• Business acumen and the ability to market the Company;
• Excellent communications skills to work effectively with all types of people;
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills and ability to use own initiative but know when to seek guidance;
• Committed team player, self -motivated and professional;
• Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications Costs Master and document management skills p;
• Ability to mange social media activity to promote the Company

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required.

The company is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity and inclusivity of its staff and strives to ensure that their workforce reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.

The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws. Background checks including CRB / DBS checks will establish your eligibility to work in the UK and suitability to the role.