Costs Negotiator

Cost Negotiator
Salary: £30,000 – £40,000 DOE
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:30am–5:30pm | Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm
Location: Manchester (Hybrid)

We are currently seeking an experienced Cost Negotiator to join our well-established Costs Department, which comprises over 40 team members. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a busy, dynamic environment where you will handle a fixed costs caseload, reviewing inter partes disputes, developing persuasive arguments, negotiating settlements, and preparing cases for summary and detailed assessment.

The Role

As a Cost Negotiator, you will be responsible for managing your own caseload of fixed costs matters, ensuring cases are progressed efficiently and effectively to achieve positive financial outcomes. You will liaise with fee earners, management, and external parties to secure settlements while maintaining the highest standards of client care and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of fixed costs matters, working toward WIP and fee targets.

• Review and negotiate fixed costs cases in line with the CPR and current case law.

• Draft correspondence, Costs Schedules, Part 23 Applications, Part 8 Proceedings, skeleton arguments, and written submissions.

• Attend weekly review meetings and report progress to your supervisor.

• Secure payments on account of costs at the earliest opportunity.

• Prepare cases for summary and detailed assessment hearings, attending hearings where required.

• Negotiate settlements and report the outcome to relevant stakeholders.

• Provide technical support to colleagues on fixed costs disputes.

• Maintain high levels of accuracy and ensure all work meets firm and client standards.

• Contribute to a collaborative and supportive team culture, assisting others as needed.

Experience and Skills Required

• Strong working knowledge of fixed costs claims and the costs process.

• In-depth understanding of CPR cost-related procedures, Pre-Action Protocols, and relevant case law.

• 2–5 years’ experience in costs negotiation, case handling, or a similar role.

• Ability to conduct advocacy at costs hearings (desirable but not essential).

• Excellent commercial awareness and professional communication skills.

• Strong time management and organisational abilities, with the capacity to work under pressure.

• Proficient IT skills, ideally including Proclaim, Excel, and CostMaster.

• A proactive and detail-oriented approach to file management and negotiation.

Career Development

The firm offers excellent career development opportunities, including the potential for Training Contracts or support towards the ACL qualification for candidates who demonstrate ability and commitment.

Why Join Us?

You will join an experienced and supportive team within a successful, growing department. This is a great opportunity to further your career in costs law, gain exposure to complex, high-quality work, and progress within a firm that actively invests in its people.

If you are interested in this role, please contact Isabel at HarKaye or Apply Now!