Costs Associate

Job title: Costs Associate – Commercial Disputes

Reporting to: Costs Director

Department: Costs

Location: London

Purpose of role: To advise and assist on cost and funding issues

Reviewed: May 2026

Job responsibilities

• Preparing breakdowns for negotiation
• Advising on cost and litigation funding issues where appropriate
• Preparing internal and external cost budgets/estimates
• Undertaking active costs management and monitoring budgets through Cosine Software
• Assisting the Risk and Funding Committee and Senior Cost Analyst with the delivery of reporting, analysis and advice
• Drafting formal bill of costs, statement of costs and assisting with the detailed assessment process.
• Advising on inter partes costs and solicitor own client issues
• Advising on the drafting of retainer and other funding documents when necessary
• Delegating work to Paralegals when appropriate and supervising their work
• Team working with other Cost Lawyers, Cost Draftsmen and Litigation fee earners
• Providing costs law updates and related articles for internal knowledge sharing purposes
• Providing in-house training on cost and funding related issues
• Assisting with business planning for Departments
• Undertaking any other reasonable duties as requested

Job skills

• Previous experience as a qualified Costs Lawyer or working towards qualification as a Costs Lawyer
• Experience of dealing with commercial disputes (litigation, arbitration and competition appeals tribunal work) including group litigation

General skills

• Well organised, uses initiative, prioritises appropriately, applies self, shows attention to detail, manages own workload and meets deadlines
• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills (respectful, positive, articulate, professional and sympathetic)
• Delivers helpful internal services with a “can do” approach, shows commercial awareness and represents the department/firm appropriately
• Shares information and ideas
• Accepts and follows instructions, listens, makes notes, questions appropriately, cooperates
• Shows sound judgement and decision-making skills; acts within boundaries
• Shows commitment, passion and enthusiasm
• Is a respectful, reliable and supportive team player
• Reflects the firm’s culture