Costs lawyer

The role

Join our dynamic litigation team. Lead costs strategy, draft, negotiate, mentor, and grow with expert support and varied legal work.

We're looking for a skilled and proactive Costs Lawyer, Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive to join our Litigation Services Team (LST), supporting the firm's contentious work. Reporting to the Senior Costs Manager, Ged Courtney, and working closely with the Head of Legal Operations, Jodie Hosmer, you'll lead on costs drafting and negotiations, supervise junior team members, and provide expert advice to lawyers and clients.

• Draft Bills of Costs, N260s, Precedent H budgets and related documents
• Manage costs instructions from start to finish
• Advise on costs law, procedure and strategy
• Support training, development and business growth initiatives
• Conduct costs negotiations on behalf of paying and receiving parties from inception to Detailed Assessment and appeals
• Provide ongoing and ad‑hoc costs advice to clients and internal lawyers
• Assist with training and development of junior staff, internal lawyers and clients
• Collaborate with teams to identify process improvement opportunities
• Attend client meetings and internal team meetings as appropriate
• Support business development and growth of the Litigation Services Team

• Strong understanding of litigation and costs law and procedure
• Excellent drafting skills for Bills of Costs, N260s, Precedent H budgets and associated precedents
• Experience and confidence in inter parts costs negotiations
• High‑quality written work, including client advice, Points of Dispute/Reply and written submissions
• Advocacy experience desirable but not essential
• Ability to manage own caseload to deadlines and produce high‑quality work
• Experience supervising junior members, such as costs draftspersons, paralegals and apprentices
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders beneficial

As you'd expect, we offer a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits.

If we offer you a role, we will conduct comprehensive pre‑employment screening, including a basic DBS, verification of your right to work, a three‑year employment history and a self‑declaration to assess your character and suitability for the role.

Mills & Reeve is centred on achieving more for clients, their businesses and the wider communities we serve. Our values guide our purpose and our inclusive, supportive working environment.

Everyone at Mills & Reeve brings a unique perspective and ideas to the team and we do everything we can to help each person to thrive. We encourage inclusive adjustments and flexible working arrangements.