ABOUT US
Switalskis is an award-winning law firm, recently listed in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for the third consecutive year.
Established in 1993 by Stephen Switalski, we began with a
focus on child care law and criminal law from a single office in Wakefield.
Since then we’ve expanded to 12 locations employing approximately 400 people
who provide a wide array of specialist legal services.
A career at Switalskis means being part of a firm that cares
and is here for you. We’re dynamic and progressive, and we never stand still.
Last year we were crowned Large Firm of the Year at The Yorkshire Legal Awards
and named in the top 50 fastest growing companies in Yorkshire in the Yorkshire
Growth Index.
THE ROLE
We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded and
motivated Legal Aid Costs Draftsperson or Costs Lawyer to join our Costs
Department.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong
technical knowledge of legal aid billing, CCMS/SILAS and high costs work who is
looking to work within a specialist and supportive environment.
You will play a key role in maximising recovery of legal aid
costs across a varied caseload while providing expert advice on funding and
legal aid costs issues. This role provides the opportunity for growth and
career progression in a supervisory role for the right candidate.
You will manage a broad range of legal aid costs matters
including Care, Family, Court of Protection (Health and Welfare) and Crime from
inception through to payment, delivering a comprehensive costs service across the lifecycle of a case.
While we welcome applicants with experience in these areas,
full training can be provided if you do not have the full range of experience.
Key Responsibilities:
- Advising on the scope and limitation of legal aid funding
certificates,
- Maximising recovery of legal aid costs within the scope of
the Legal Aid Agency contract with a commercial approach
- Preparing and submitting claims through to receiving final
payment notices – both fixed fee and exceptional claims
- High Costs Case Plans for Court of Protection Health &
Welfare matters
- Events-based High Costs Case Plans for Care matters
- Hourly rate high costs plans outside standard legal aid
schemes
- Advising fee earners and management teams on legal aid
funding issues
- Delivering (or assisting other team members) in training and
development on legal aid costs and procedures
This role offers flexible location options. Our teams are based across Bradford, Doncaster and Huddersfield, and occasional visits to these locations may be required, especially for those requiring further training.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
- Previous experience as a Costs Draftsman, Costs Lawyer or
Legal Aid Costs Specialist
- Strong working knowledge of:
- CCMS
- Legal Aid Agency procedures
- Legal aid billing and funding
- High cost case planning
- Commercial approach to legal aid
claims to maximise recovery
- Experience handling Public Law, Private Family Law, Criminal
and/or Mental Health claims
- Excellent attention to detail and analytical skills
- Strong communication and client care skills
- The ability to manage a varied caseload independently and
meet deadlines
Click the link below to submit your application and a member
of the team will be in touch. For any questions please contact Recruitment@Switalskis.com