Defendant Costs Drafter

Costs Drafter (Defendant Focus)

Office Location: Wigan, WN3 5BA or Manchester, M3 7BD 
Working Arrangements: Hybrid – office and home working
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (35 hours per week)
We are also happy to consider between 30–35 hours per week.

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• Are you an experienced Costs Drafter?

• How would you like to work for an award-winning law firm?

• Do you want to be part of a friendly, down-to-earth team with a great atmosphere?

• Looking for autonomy, flexibility, and a positive work-life balance?

Join our dynamic and reputable law firm. With a strong commitment to excellence and innovation, we pride ourselves on delivering top-tier legal services. We are now seeking a skilled and motivated Costs Drafter to join our expanding team.

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The role:

You will play a pivotal role in delivering a full costs service, with a strong focus on defendant (paying party) work. The position requires a high level of analytical skill and experience in challenging costs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Working predominantly on paying party files
• Reviewing and analysing costs claims
• Drafting detailed Points of Dispute, challenging claimant bills of costs
• Negotiating costs settlements
• Progressing matters through to detailed assessment hearings where required

This role is particularly suited to candidates with strong experience in defendant costs work, specifically those confident in drafting complex Points of Dispute.

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What makes this role great?

This is an excellent opportunity to combine your expertise in legal costs with your analytical skills, working across a varied and engaging caseload while making a meaningful contribution to our established Costs Team.

Stephensons places a strong emphasis on work-life balance, offering flexibility and understanding around personal commitments, alongside high-quality, rewarding work.

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About You

We welcome applicants with a wide range of strengths, thinking styles and lived experiences. We’re happy to discuss any workplace adjustments or support that would help you perform at your best, including communication preferences, assistive tools, or environmental changes.

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Manage a busy costs caseload, particularly paying party matters, with accuracy and attention to detail
• Work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues across the Costs Team
• Remain organised and methodical when dealing with complex and technical Points of Dispute
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, fee earners, and external stakeholders
• Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion
• Take a commercial and proportionate approach to negotiations, case strategy, and time recording

You will need:

• Proven experience as a Costs Drafter and/or Costs Negotiator
• Strong, practical experience working on defendant (paying party) costs matters
• Demonstrable expertise in drafting Points of Dispute and analysing claimant bills
• Experience negotiating settlements on behalf of paying parties
• Strong drafting, analytical, and organisational skills
• Good working knowledge of costs law and detailed assessment procedures
• Confidence using IT systems (e.g. Proclaim, Costs Master or similar) and willingness to learn new technologies
• A proactive, flexible approach and the ability to manage your own workload

It would be beneficial, though not essential, if you also have:

• Experience handling complex or high-value costs disputes
• Advocacy or attendance at detailed assessment hearings
• Familiarity with a range of case management systems
• Broader experience across both claimant and defendant costs work

We also look for individuals who embody our brand values: approachable, flexible, inclusive, resilient, and supportive.

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Why Stephensons?

Stephensons is an award winning, top 150 law firm with a strong commitment to the future growth and development of the business. With an ambitious mind set, yet approachable and down to earth attitude, Stephensons provides an exciting place for long term career development and progression. Whilst we do look for highly motivated and driven individuals, we also have a strong commitment to work life balance and flexibility.

Why not click here to see why you should come and work for us.

What else can we offer?

Click here to view details of our benefits package

• Flexible working arrangements
• Agile/hybrid working
• Well-being package inc (financial, physical, mental and dietary heath support)
• Free parking
• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefit (subject to service eligibility)
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Competitive salary and holiday entitlement
• Holiday sale & purchase scheme (subject to service eligibility)
• Season ticket & travel support
• Payroll giving scheme
• Social events & clubs
• Internal referral scheme
• Retail vouchers/cashback schemes
• Early monthly pay scheme
• Free eye tests
• Cycle to work scheme