Job Description

THE ROLE & TEAM

We are looking for an experienced Cost Lawyer to join our dedicated Cost Team where you will support the firm’s contentious and non contentious teams by delivering high‑quality costs expertise across a wide range of litigation. The role combines hands‑on costs drafting, case management, cost budgeting and client support. We pride ourselves on ensuring exceptional service by adhering to best practice and seeing strong financial outcomes.

This is a very varied role where you will support the firm with supporting anything from low level reconciliation right up to multimillion pound cases. Supporting Litigation, Housing & Regeneration, Employment and other departments, you will directly contribute to the firm’s reputation for technical excellence and commerciality.

This role can be based in either our Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Lancs office. We offer hybrid working to ensure work life balance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Manage a varied caseload of costs matters from fast track to multi‑track and high‑value litigation (claimant and defendant)

· Prepare Points of Claim/Replies, Points of Dispute, and assist in all aspects of Case Management

· Handle costs negotiations with opponents

· Provide clear, commercial advice to internal teams and clients on costs strategy and recovery

· Draft accurate cost budgets and narrative documents

· Prepare budget discussion reports and assist with CCMCs

· Monitor budgets throughout proceedings and advise on variances

· Prepare high‑quality Bills of Costs across Multi‑track Litigation, Housing, Clinical Negligence, Probate, Employment, Construction and Commercial Litigation

· Provide day‑to‑day costs advice to fee earners

· Deliver training internally

· Support external client training sessions

· Contribute to market positioning

ABOUT YOU

· Qualified CostsLawyer (ACL)

· Previous experience as a costs professional, ideally 4 years+

· Strong experience in multi‑track costs litigation and negotiation

· Excellent drafting skills (bills, budgets, advices, points of dispute and replies))

· Strong CPR knowledge

· Ability to work independently on complex matters

· Commercial awareness and strong communication skills

· Familiarity with costs drafting software or AI‑based tools

· Team player

BENEFITS

· Competitive Salary

· Flexible approach to working hours

· Hybrid working (2 days on site)

· Bupa

· Discretionary bonus opportunities

· Pension scheme

· Life Insurance & Income Protection Insurance

· 25 days Annual Leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)

· Option to buy 10 additional days annual leave each year

· Additional discretionary annual leave days

· Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Leave

· Career Development Opportunities

· Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)

ABOUT US

Brabners is purpose-led independent law firm. A certified B Corp with award-winning environmental credentials, we seek to demonstrate that business can bring about positive change by being innovative, diverse and sustainable.

With over 200 years of history, we’re proudly anchored in the North but serve businesses and individuals across England and Wales.

We have won awards for being innovative at the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards and diverse as Manchester Law Society’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions. We are also recognised as one of the 25 best large companies to work for in the UK and have won The Legal 500 Future Lawyers awards for job satisfaction, quality of work, social life and work/life balance.