Costs Lawyer ( 1 Year Fixed Term Contract)
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
About this job
Responsible to the Principal – Housing Condition Claims for delivery of legal advice and casework in the area of Housing & Litigation Law within Barking and Dagenham Legal Services.
Support the service in the delivery and development of Legal Services.
Special requirements for this post
You will be qualified solicitor, barrister, or chartered legal executive .
About you
We are looking for a skilled and motivated Costs Lawyer (or Costs Draftsperson with equivalent experience) with a strong understanding of civil litigation costs and procedure. You will bring substantial experience of managing costs matters from inception through to conclusion, including drafting and negotiating bills of costs, points of dispute and replies, and handling detailed assessment proceedings. The successful candidate will: • Be a qualified Costs Lawyer, or have demonstrable experience in a specialist costs role within a legal setting • Possess detailed knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), and associated costs practice directions • Have proven experience preparing inter partes and/or legal aid bills • Be confident in conducting costs negotiations, advising on settlement strategy, and representing the organisation (including advocacy at detailed assessment hearings where appropriate) • Demonstrate strong analytical skills with the ability to assess risk, maximise cost recovery, and provide clear, pragmatic advice to legal teams • Be highly organised, able to manage a varied caseload, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment • Have excellent communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with solicitors, counsel, and external stakeholders Experience in public sector or local authority work would be advantageous, but is not essential. Above all, you will be proactive, detail-focused, and committed to delivering an effective and commercially aware costs service.
About us
As an LBBD employee you’ll have access to high street savings, supermarkets,cashback incentives travel and holiday discounts; discounts at restaurants and cinemas; local, national, and seasonal offers; and a wide range of better-than-public deals through our Wider Wallet scheme.
You’ll also have access to an Employee Assistance Programme; this offers a little extra support to manage life’s everyday challenges; both work and personal. The EAP is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and provides free, impartial,confidential information and support to help you gain a better work-life balance.
Flexible working
The role is open to flexible working unless there is a practical or operational reason that you must work set hours and times, you would need to discuss this with your manager before anything is agreed.
Other key benefits include: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) As a member of the LGPS you will get a pension paid to you when you retire as well as being entitled to other benefits such as life insurance cover, a pension for your family if you die whilst employed by the council, payments if you have to retire due to ill-health.
Diversity and Inclusivity
To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services,all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services we deliver. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds including from the LGBTQ+ community, genders, ages, disabilities,faiths/beliefs and candidates from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds.