Costs Negotiator

We are seeking a Costs Negotiator to join our team at Davies, based in Lostock, Bolton. As a Costs Negotiator, you will be responsible for pursuing the settlement of legal costs on a range of RTA / EL / PL claims.

Your primary objective will be to settle costs as soon as practicably possible. You will proactively review cases, formulate an initial costs strategy and settlement parameters, provide comprehensive advice to clients, and commence early telephone negotiations with opponents.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing your own caseload, progressing each file from receipt of papers to resolution of costs
• Proactively reviewing cases to formulate an initial costs strategy and settlement parameters
• Preparing points of dispute and considering replies
• Identifying and documenting strengths and weaknesses of own case and opponent's costs claimed
• Using the telephone to discuss, put forward meritorious arguments, and negotiate settlement of costs
• Updating reports to clients of progress made in resolving costs claimed
• Dealing with correspondence and telephone calls received within SLAs
• Undertaking periodic reviews of files in line with client requirements
• Settlement of costs within agreed negotiation parameters
• Instructing counsel and attending conferences, detailed assessment hearings, and mediations
• Attending court for application hearings, detailed assessment hearings, and mediations to conduct own advocacy
• Delivery of agreed performance targets, quality standards, and client's SLAs, KPIs, and MI requirements
• Delegating assigned tasks to a Paralegal and being fully engaged in their development

The role requires:

• 12 months of experience as a minimum in a similar costs negotiator role
• Degree and/or LPC and/or ALCD
• Previous experience of client liaison, taking instructions, and providing advice
• Experience of the Detailed Assessment process
• 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

Benefits include:

• Davies Incentive Plan
• 25 days holiday per year
• Simply Health Care Cash Plan
• WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support, and virtual wellbeing
• Death In Service
• Pension Contribution
• 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
• Discounts at local retail outlets