Description
The Costs budgeter's primary focus is to prepare Precedent Hs, Precedent Rs, Precedent Ts and to advise, negotiate and deal with all aspects of costs budgeting as required by the client/ main team. The role also allows for payables work and a mixed caseload.
Key Responsibilities
- Responsible for management of own caseload using in-house case management system including timely and accurate maintenance of the system along with billing and management information – ensuring completeness of records to aid business decision making.
- Drafting and updating Precedent H costs budget.
- Preparing Precedent R costs budget on opponent's Precedent H costs budget and compliance with Costs Case Management Orders and conducting subsequent negotiations arising.
- Responsible for achieving a daily chargeable hour target, managing workload to meet service level agreements and critical dates.
- Delegation of tasks where available and appropriate to other members of the team.
- Reviewing files, including strategy setting and identifying strengths and weaknesses and preparing a document to reflect this.
- Preparing cost strategy reports, updating through the life of the case.
- Provide written updates by email or letter to clients detailing case activity to ensure that they receive up to date and accurate information about progress when requested.
- Undertaking periodic reviews of files in line with Client requirements.
- Negotiating costs advantageous to our clients.
- Dealing with correspondence and telephone calls.
- Advising main team handler on Costs and Case Management Conference (CCMC)
Working Hours
35 hours per week , Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Primary location for this role is our Parklands Office, Bolton
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential Skills and Attributes:
- Experience in a similar cost budgeting or drafting role either claimant or defendant.
- Experience of handling confidential and sensitive information securely
- Previous experience of client liaison (internal and / or external)
- Previous experience of handling own caseload
- Flexible in being able to respond to requests. Quick to respond in high priority situations.
- Experience of preparing pleadings and Court documentation related to the budget process.
- Good standard of education – 3 GCSE's grade C or above or equivalent including Maths, English as a minimum.
- Good telephone manner. Able to communicate effectively.
- Have an in depth understanding of the costs management and detailed assessment processes, cost case law and the litigation process.
- Ability to use own initiative.
- Ability to plan and prioritise workloads.
- Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to make decisions.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Ability to act as part of a team.
- Proficient IT skills in particular in excel.
Desirable:
- Education – Degree and/or LPC and/or ALCD or equivalent
- Conducted own advocacy
Values
Our culture is focussed on making Keoghs sustainable and successful for our people and clients, with this our four values are at the heart of everything we do;
We are connected
We are Dynamic
We are Innovative
We succeed together
Benefits
- 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
- Family Cover Private Medical Insurance ( Bupa) - will automatically be at single cover level but can opt into family option within first month of joining.
- 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
- Critical Illness Cover
- PHI/Income Protection ( Private health insurance)
- Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
- 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