Costs Lawyer (International Arbitration)

• ▸Arbitration-focused costs work on complex international disputes
• ▸Direct advisory role to partners across a global disputes practice
• ▸Small, senior and close-knit team with very low turnover
• ▸Hybrid working with roughly two office days a week
• ▸Clear route towards a Senior Costs Lawyer position

NMG Recruitment is handling a confidential appointment for a leading international law firm with a substantial disputes practice. Based in the City of London and reporting to the head of the costs function, you will manage your own matters and act as a trusted adviser to fee earners across the firm's international network. The majority of the work concerns costs in arbitration, chiefly written costs submissions prepared towards the end of a dispute, with the balance covering court costs schedules, counsel fee negotiations and fee benchmarking that supports client proposals. The team is busy, so the role suits someone comfortable working autonomously from the outset. Further details, including the firm's identity, will be shared privately with suitable candidates. Anticipated start date is early 2027.

• ·Draft written costs submissions in arbitral proceedings, both supporting and resisting costs claims
• ·Advise fee earners on the costs orders and awards to pursue and on costs strategy as matters progress
• ·Prepare Statements of Costs for summary assessment and costs schedules for the High Court, appellate courts and tribunals
• ·Advise on and negotiate counsel's brief fees
• ·Analyse fee data and market benchmarks to inform pitches, estimates and fee proposals
• ·Support security for costs applications, preparing and responding to supporting schedules
• ·Build costs models in Excel
• ·Handle occasional detailed assessments and costs budgeting
• ·Provide general contentious costs advice and contribute to internal know-how and updates

• ·Around 7 to 10 years' legal costs experience, with ambition to progress to a senior role
• ·A commercial costs background, ideally from a law firm costs team or commercially focused costs practice; a mainly PI or clinical negligence background is unlikely to suit
• ·Qualified Costs Lawyer and ACL member preferred; highly experienced Costs Draftspersons will be considered
• ·Experience of arbitration costs is a significant advantage
• ·Strong drafting across costs submissions, Points of Dispute, Replies and Statements of Costs
• ·Advanced Excel, with the ability to prepare costs models without bill-drafting software
• ·Confidence to work independently and to advise and, where needed, challenge partners
• ·Exposure to commercial, marine or insurance disputes is helpful
• ·Diplomatic communication under pressure and a commutable distance to the City

• ·Competitive salary depending on experience
• ·Discretionary bonus scheme of up to 50%
• ·Pension, gym membership and additional seasonal bonus
• ·Subsidised lunches during the week, plus laptop and phone
• ·Hybrid working with around 60% from home