Legal Aid Billing / Costs Draftsperson

Role: Legal Aid Billing / Costs Draftsperson

Gemini Recruitment are currently partnering with specialist Law Costs Draftsmen (Cost Law Services Ltd - www.costlaw.com) whom are seeking experienced Law Costs Draftsmen with extensive experience in drafting Legal Aid bills and Private Client matters.

Cost Law Services (CLS) is offering an attractive salary package, a supportive team environment and real prospects for success and promotion. The Company will consider applicants wishing to work part time, full time or with flexible working hours. Accountability within a remote working culture is the norm within this business, and CLS has thereby adopted a hybrid working model.

Costs Law Services Background:

Cost Law Services Limited have grown exponentially nationwide to from a team of over 40 Costs Professionals with immense experience in all aspects of costs law. Cost Law Services represents various clients - one of whom is a leading legal aid practice - with all their billing.

Their broad spectrum of billing across multiple areas of law is based on a sound knowledge of the costs system and the ability to manage client expectations to ensure their cash flow is maintained. Their work involves preparing bills and costs budgets in Court of Protection, Children Law, Clinical Negligence, Commercial Litigation, Family, Housing & Litigation, Immigration, Judicial Review, and Personal Injury matters.

The company provides a supportive team environment and real prospects for success and promotion.

The Role:

The ideal candidate will have an in depth knowledge of the Legal Aid Costs and assessment rules; will have experience with the Legal aid agency (LAA) software CCMS, and all Legal Aid claims.

You will be joining an established team of 30 Costs Lawyers/ Draftspersons with offices nationwide to assist and support billing process and recovery to the legal profession.

The company is looking for experienced candidates who will 'hit the ground running’.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Report directly to Supervisor/Manager;
• Professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and a proactive understanding of clients’ needs;
• Drafting High Cost Case Plans (Hourly Rate - essential);
• CCFS billing;
• To complete and supervise Legal Aid Claims; (CCMS Claims; Claim 1’s/Claim 1a’s/ Claim 2’s);
• Supervising and checking Legal Aid bill preparation - Claim1s, Claim1As;
• Experience in checking detailed 3 column and 6 column bills (Inter Partes);
• Experience in preparing and lodging bills at Court for assessment (Inter Partes);
• Assisting with payment of invoices;
• Processing of bills post assessment and preparing Final Costs Certificate;
• Processing bills payable by the third parties;
• Liaising with counsel and experts on bills and invoices;
• Training junior staff on case plans and bill preparation and advising on variety of legal costs matters

Key Skills Required:

• Have previous experience in processing High Costs Case Plans and Legal Aid bills;
• Experience of dealing with Legal Aid bills from start to finish with the Legal Aid agency and third parties;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Excellent numerical skills;
• Self-motivated with the ability to work on own initiative and to tight deadlines;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Up to date knowledge of LAA Costs Assessment Guidance, CPR and Costs legislation;
• Committed team player and adapt well to new challenges;
• Professional with a pro-active approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with other professionals and court services;
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills;
• Ability to use own initiative and sound judgment;
• Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications; Costs Master;
• Ensuring compliance with Bill/Case management and document management skills.

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required.

About Gemini Recruitment and Equal Opportunities:

Gemini Recruitment is a leading recruitment agency specialising in legal recruitment. We provide a highly focused service specialising in placements for Solicitors, Legal Executives, Trainee Solicitors, Paralegals, Costs Lawyers, Costs Draftsman and Legal Support Staff. We have intimate knowledge of specific opportunities in the legal market across the UK.

The company is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity & inclusion of its staff and strives to ensure that their workforce reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.

The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws. Background checks inclusive of references & DBS checks will be conducted to establish your eligibility to work in the UK and suitability for this role.

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