Cost Clerk
Location: Ashford (TW15)
Job Type: Part time (21hrs per week)
Salary: Competitive / Dependent on Experience
The Company
Owen White Catlin LLP is an established firm of solicitors with offices in South West London, Middlesex and Surrey. We believe what makes us stand out from the rest of our peers is our commitment to quality, customer service and ensuring we recruit the best people. We take great pride in our personal service and the accessibility of our lawyers.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Cost Clerk to join our established legal team. The successful candidate will play a key role in preparing and managing Legal Aid costs claims across Family department.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong understanding of Legal Aid Agency (LAA) requirements who is looking to develop their career within a supportive firm.
Responsibilities Include:
Working with External Costs Draftsmen
- Arranging and coordinating the preparation of final bills of costs with external Costs Draftsmen.
- Providing clear instructions, sending relevant case materials, and ensuring draft bills are reviewed for accuracy and compliance.
- Managing amendments, queries, or clarifications raised by the draftsman and ensuring timely turnaround.
Internal Liaison & File Management
- Liaising with fee earners to ensure files are complete, fee notes are accurate, and all work is correctly recorded.
- Maintaining internal logs, spreadsheets, or reporting systems relating to claims submitted, payments received, and queries outstanding.
- Ensuring all costs documentation is stored and managed in line with GDPR and firm policies.
Legal Aid Management:
- Checking bills of costs and Claim1 forms to ensure all disbursements from the duration of the matter have been accurately included.
The Candidate
As a Cost Clerk it is essential you can demonstrate the following skills and competencies:
- Proven experience in Legal Aid costing (minimum 1–2 years).
- Strong working knowledge of LAA procedures, CCMS, Claim1 forms, fixed fee claims, high-cost cases, and cost assessment processes.
- Experience working with external costs draftsmen.
- Excellent attention to detail with high levels of accuracy.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
Desirable Attributes
Familiarity with legal case management systems (e.g., Proclaim, ActionStep).
- Prior experience working in a law firm or legal aid‑funded department.
Benefits
In return for your commitment we offer you:
- Competitive salary
- 28 days company holiday (plus 8 UK bank holidays) – full time entitlement
- Private Medical Insurance
- A firm with a great reputation
- Opportunities for professional development and advancement
- A collaborative and supportive work environment
How to Apply
Send your CV to recruitment@owc.co.uk
In line with the Asylum & Immigration Act, all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. As part of the recruitment process, you will be asked to provide documented evidence of eligibility.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization and which are reasonably within the scope of the role.