Costs Solicitor / Associate/ Costs Lawyer

Horwich Farrelly; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A law firm is seeking a Costs Solicitor/Associate/Lawyer in Manchester. The role involves drafting bills of costs, managing costs negotiations, and working in a dynamic team. Candidates should have experience in costs recovery and litigation, with strong communication skills. The firm values growth and development, offering a supportive work environment and a comprehensive benefits package that includes flexible working options and generous annual leave.

Benefits

25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 with service)

Life Insurance & Income Protection

Private Medical Insurance & Healthcare Cash Plan

Employee Assistance Programme & Digital GP services

Pension Scheme

Electric Car Scheme

Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Leave

Discounted Gym Membership & Employee Discount Hub

Flu & Eyecare Vouchers

Qualifications

• Experienced in costs recovery and/or adverse costs, with a background in litigation.
• Confident in challenging information and evidence, and able to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• Motivated by growth, development, and the opportunity to shape the future of costs law.

Responsibilities

• Draft N260’s and bills of costs, handle negotiations, manage procedural issues.
• Draft budgets, challenge opponents’ budgets, attend CCMCs as appropriate.
• Negotiate settlement of third-party costs claims, draft Points of Dispute.

Skills

Costs recovery

Adverse costs

Litigation

Communication skills

Job description

Costs Solicitor / Associate / Costs Lawyer

Costs Solicitor/Lawyer

Manchester

Hybrid

Permanent

About HF

People. Not just lawyers

We’re not your typical law firm – we’re people with a passion for helping our clients and each other achieve the best possible outcomes. We are leading legal advisers to the insurance and commercial sectors across the UK & Ireland, known for our innovation, client focus, and long‑lasting relationships. We do things differently, with a forward‑thinking approach built around our clients’ needs, supported by cutting‑edge technology and a culture built around people from a wide range of backgrounds who are taking an equally wide range of routes to building their careers in law.

It’s an exceptional time to join our Costs team at HF, as we continue to transform under the dynamic leadership of Costs Partner, Paul Mc Carthy. Recognised as a market leader and recently shortlisted for Costs Team of the Year at the Lexis Nexis Legal Awards, our department is renowned for technical mastery, strategic leadership, and a client‑focused approach that consistently delivers outstanding results.

What will I be doing?

Depending on your own skills and career goals we have a number of key areas of focus across all aspects of legal costs. This is a great opportunity for you to grow your experience in a varied mix of work including:

• Receiving party: drafting N260’s and bills of costs (to include E‑bills), handling negotiations, drafting Replies and managing procedural issues as appropriate.
• Costs Management: drafting budgets, and challenging opponents’ budgets, subsequent negotiations and attending CCMCs where appropriate.
• Fixed Costs: considering and challenging claims for fixed costs and associated disbursements to include handling negotiations, drafting Points of Dispute and managing Part 8 proceedings.
• Paying party: negotiating settlement of third‑party costs claims, drafting Points of Dispute and managing procedural issues as appropriate.

You will be working within a team filled with legal professionals working in an engaging and friendly environment. Our people pride themselves on making an impact through providing an excellent, results‑oriented and solutions‑focused service to our clients.

There is a great team ethos and we encourage our people to be involved in various team and firm‑wide initiatives centred on personal development and well‑being, not just the work we do.

This is what the Hiring Manager, Paul, says about the role:

“As HF’s diversification strategy gains increasing momentum now is the perfect time to join our costs team. The right individual will find boundless opportunities for growth and development across all areas of costs work and a wide variety of fields including commercial litigation, personal injury and public law.”

What do I need?

• Experienced in costs recovery and/or adverse costs, with a background in litigation.
• Confident in challenging information and evidence, and able to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• Motivated by growth, development, and the opportunity to shape the future of costs law.

What’s in it for you?

Apart from the competitive salary you’d expect, our package of benefits reflects our values of partnership, innovation, and being real people. We’re committed to creating a dynamic workplace where everyone feels supported, empowered, and part of our success.

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 with service) + Holiday Buy Scheme
• Life Insurance & Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance & Healthcare Cash Plan
• Employee Assistance Programme & Digital GP services
• Pension Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Leave
• Hybrid & Flexible Working Options
• Discounted Gym Membership & Employee Discount Hub
• Flu & Eyecare Vouchers – and more!

What next?

If HF sounds like a place where you could belong, we’d love to learn more about you!

Submit your CV here and we’ll be in touch if we have any opportunities that match your experience and interests. If we don’t have something right now, we’ll keep your details on file and may reach out in the future as part of our talent pipeline.