Overview

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm with a heritage spanning 160 years and more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client. We are committed to delivering our ESG objectives and fostering a diverse, inclusive culture. RollOnFriday ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024. Our 40% female partnership rate reflects our commitment to diversity. We operate with a Next Level Law mindset, encouraging people to reach their next level in all they do.

Birketts supports a flexible, hybrid working model and welcomes applications from people seeking flexible, agile, or part-time roles. We are happy to explore preferred working patterns as part of the application process.

The department

Our client base ranges from individuals to multinational corporations, supported by legal professionals across the civil litigation sector, with emphasis on insurance, shipping, commercial litigation, property litigation, construction and social housing. Our experience includes English Court proceedings and arbitrations (LMAA and LCIA).

Purpose of job

Due to growth, there is an opportunity to join the wider Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution team as a Costs Lawyer / Drafsman (legally qualified or by experience) to support the Senior Associate and Associate within the Costs team.

Responsibilities

• Plan and distribute workload across the team.
• Provide supervision to team members.
• Assess Bills of Costs, draft Points of Disputes, advise clients on settlement parameters, and negotiate with opponents.
• Keep abreast of legal updates and provide updates to the wider team.
• Maintain accurate time-costing procedures.
• Ensure compliance with file management.

The candidate

• A strong academic background.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Clear understanding and application of civil procedure rules relating to costs.
• Costs negotiation experience essential.
• Experience of social housing disrepair and/or Court of Protection preferable.
• Excellent attention to detail with analytical and organizational skills.
• Committed team player who can adapt to new challenges.
• Strong ability to work to tight deadlines and use own initiative with sound judgment.
• Strong IT skills – familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management.

Equal opportunities

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We promote equality of opportunity for all and welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, with selection based on merit.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Legal

Industries

• Law Practice