Costs Litigation Assistant / Costs Paralegal

Job Title: Costs Litigation Assistant / Costs Paralegal

Location: Northenden, Manchester

Salary: £19,000 – £21,500 per annum + Commission

Job type: Full time, Permanent

Express Solicitors is a top 200 Law firm that specialises in all areas of personal injury including public liability, occupier’s liability, road traffic accidents, employer’s liability, industrial disease, serious injuries, and clinical negligence. We pride ourselves in the work we do helping injured people.

We are Law Society accredited and are a Legal 500 Leading Firm for both Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence. Six of our Partners are members of the Law Society Specialist Personal Injury Panel.

Our employees are our most important asset and have been instrumental in helping us recover millions of pounds each year for injured people. No doubt at Express Solicitors we rate skill and ability above all else and our recruitment policy encourages applications from all.

The Role:

We are currently looking for a Costs Litigation Assistant to join our Costs and Budgeting department. We are looking to consider applications from Law Graduates, as full and in-depth training will be provided. However, candidates with experience of working within a Law Costs environment may be at an advantage.

The role will involve preparation of summary assessment trial schedules, breakdowns of costs at case conclusion and formal bills where detailed assessment are required. Additionally, the candidate will be trained on risk assessment, case progression both in terms of costs negotiations and Detailed Assessment proceedings, and costs budgeting.

The ideal candidate will have a flexible approach and be able to respond to rapid changes in working schedules and priorities. For this you will need to be organised and able to communicate clearly with people at all levels. Analytical skills and attention to detail are both essential characteristics. An interest in the law, the legal system and court are all important attributes, too.

Key Requirements:

Essential criteria:

• Completion of a legal qualification (LLB, GDL, LPC)
• GCSE Maths at C grade or above
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Applicants should be committed and hard working individuals who enjoy operating in a pressurised and highly motivated team environment. You will be able to demonstrate the ability to work on your own initiative with the minimum of supervision
• The role involves the use of IT systems and therefore computer literacy, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, is essential
• Analytical skills and attention to detail are essential. Candidate must consistently produce work which is highly accurate and well-presented

Desirable criteria:

• Candidates with previous billing experience either in-house or for an external supplier of costs drafting services
• Knowledge of time recording procedures
• Working knowledge of the Civil Procedures Rules and Detailed Assessment process
• Costs Master experience
• Knowledge of the Proclaim case management system

Benefits Package

• Salary & Commission – we offer a great starting salary of £19,000 up to £21,500 depending on experience
• Definite progression – This is an exciting opportunity with excellent career development prospects for the right candidate. We are able to offer Training Contracts / ACL qualifications.
• Excellent training – in addition to three appraisals per year, we provide all of our members of staff with personalised training and development plans, there are regular training sessions provided both costs specific and wider personal injury ones
• Our standard working hours are 8:30am to 5:30am Monday-Thursday and 8:30am to 5pm Friday.
• 23 days holiday, rising 1 day per year to a max of 26 days, plus bank/public hols. Please note, the office is closed between Christmas and New Year and 3 holidays are reserved for this period.
• 3 holiday buy backs per year after 1 year of service
• Private medical insurance available after 2 years’ service
• Death in Service – 2 x salary based on annual salary only – eligibility commences when you join the company
• Active social committee, firm pays for trips to e.g. Bowling, Chester Races, Christmas party, Summer Barbecue
• Active training culture and various groups and events such as Diversity & Inclusion.
• Netball / Football team, 10km Manchester team and more.
• Usual ancillary benefits including Employee Assistance Programme etc.

Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of; Legal Graduate, Junior Paralegal, Trainee Solicitor, Legal Assistant, Law Graduate, Litigation Assistant, Legal Executive, Legal Support Assistant, Paralegal, Legal Executive, Legal Handler, Legal Secretary, Legal Aid will also be considered for this role.