To pursue the settlement of legal costs as soon as practicably possible on a range of RTA / EL / PL claims.
A Costs Negotiator should be able to proactively review cases; formulate an initial costs strategy and settlement parameters; provide comprehensive advice to clients; commence early telephone negotiations with opponents; and liaise, as required, with Insurers throughout the life of the file.
The Costs Negotiator should be able to establish strong working relationships within the Costs team; the wider Keoghs business; and with our clients through use of excellent oral skills and succinct written communications.
The Costs Negotiator will be expected to attain their Objectives as well as Client SLAs and KPIs. Support and mentoring with their Personal Development Plan will be provided to enable technical development and career progression.
The Head of Costs is Howard Dean; Technical Director is Elaine Pitt; and Business Unit Director is Amanda Nuttall.This role is in the Costs Motor & Casualty team managed by Francesca Cox.
You will be responsible for your own caseload, progressing each file from receipt of papers from the Keoghs Motor & Casualty teams to resolution of costs. The role will include:
- Proactively reviewing cases to formulate an initial costs strategy and settlement parameter
- Preparing points of dispute and considering replies
- Identifying and documenting strengths and weaknesses of own case and opponent’s costs claimed
- Using the telephone to discuss; put forward meritorious arguments; and negotiate settlement of costs
- Updating reports to clients of progress made in resolving costs claimed
- Dealing with correspondence and telephone calls received within SLAs
- Undertaking periodic reviews of files in line with client requirements
- Settlement of costs within agreed negotiation parameters
- Instructing counsel and attending conferences; detailed assessment hearings; and mediations, remotely and in person.
- Attending court for application hearings; detailed assessment hearings and mediations remotely and in person to conduct own advocacy
- Delivery of agreed performance targets; Keoghs quality standards; and client’s SLAs, KPIs and MI requirements
- Delegate assigned tasks to a Paralegal and be fully engaged in their development in terms of technical ability and achievement of objectives
- To ensure compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations Working Hours
28 - 35 hours per week Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Primary location for this role is Bolton Office.
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12 months experience as a minimum in a similar costs negotiator role, either for claimant or defendant, handling own caseload.
- Degree and/or LPC and/or ALCD
- Previous experience of client liaison - taking instructions and providing advice both verbally and in writing
- Experience of the Detailed Assessment process including preparing Points of Dispute and considering replies.
- Good telephone negotiation skills
- An understanding of current cost case law and insurance litigation practice and process.
- Ability to use own initiative and make decisions
- Ability to plan and prioritise workloads and to remain calm under pressure
- Excellent listening and verbal communication skills
- Ability to act as part of a team
- Proficient IT skills in Microsoft packages
- Required Soft Skills:
Personal Effectiveness
- Team commitment: Values others perspective
- Resilience: Demonstrates self-control
- Passion for growth and improvement: Systematically improves performance
- Embracing Change: Responds positively to change
- Client Care:Works to add value for the client
- Decision Making:Operates within formal authority
- Negotiation, Influence and Persuasion
- Commercial Insight:Considers some commercial implications
- Monitors own performance against objectives set by Team Leader
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Davies Incentive Plan
- 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
- Simply Health Care Cash Plan
- WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing
- Death In Service – after 1 years’ service
- Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
- Employee Resource Groups
- Employee Volunteering Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme*
- Tech Scheme*
- Season Ticket Loan*
- Gym Flex*
- Access to Online Discount Sites
- Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
- Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
- Discounts at local retail outlets
- after successfully completing probation
Keoghs is a leading provider of legal and claims solutions to insurers, businesses and other suppliers to the insurance sector. We manage more than £1bn worth of insurer claims and resolve in excess of 100,000 claims per year working in partnership with leading insurers, MGAs, brokers, corporates and the public sector.
With more than 50 years’ experience we have an in-depth understanding of the insurance claims process, enabling us to contain and lower litigation rates, shorten claims lifecycles and reduce overall claims costs. We combine proven processes, technology and low cost infrastructure with extensive legal and insurance market knowledge. This enables us to create individual solutions for each of our clients that match their requirements in terms of quality, performance and value for money.
We invest heavily in specialised services, technology and innovation for our insurance clients, and we are the first to launch a true artificial intelligence (AI) insurance lawyer. Through our proprietary AI lawyer, Lauri, we’ve transformed the claims handling process for low-value personal injury claims; we’ve reduced claim lifecycles and reduced costs for our clients. Supported by commercial acumen and innovative products, Keoghs leads the way in providing legal solutions to the insurance industry.
