Hodge Jones & Allen
Costs Lawyer / Costs Draftsperson

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Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors, a leading firm with over four decades of experience representing ordinary people during extraordinary events, is seeking an experienced Costs Lawyer / Costs Draftsperson to join our dedicated team. We pride ourselves on providing first-class legal assistance driven by a commitment to our strong ethical values. Our team works diligently to ensure that individuals and organisations receive the utmost support and guidance through their legal challenges. As a Costs Lawyer / Costs Draftsperson, you will play an essential role in our commitment to excellence, managing costs effectively to support our clients' needs and ensuring transparency in legal billing. If you have a strong background in costs litigation and a passion for client advocacy, we want you to join us in our mission to uphold justice and provide exceptional service to our clients. This is not just a job, but a chance to make a meaningful impact in the legal field, where your skills will contribute to the ongoing success of our clients and the firm as a whole.
Responsibilities
- Drafting and preparing detailed bills of costs and cost budgets
- Advising on costs implications and strategy in legal proceedings
- Conducting costs negotiations and settlements with opposing parties
- Managing costs recovery and ensuring compliance with legal cost procedures
- Keeping up to date with relevant costs law and procedural changes
- Liaising with solicitors and barristers to achieve the best possible outcomes
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Requirements
- Qualified Cost Lawyer or extensive experience in costs law
- Strong understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) relating to costs
- Experience in drafting bills of costs and costs budgets
- Preparation of Points of Reply to Points of Dispute
- Preparation of costs budgets
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple cases efficiently
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in legal costing software (CostsMaster) and Microsoft Office applications
- Representing clients at detailed assessment hearings and other cost-related proceedings (desirable)
Benefits
We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, work-life balance and professional development, including:


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- Generous annual leave (22-27 days depending on role), plus Christmas shutdown and additional birthday leave
- Extra paid leave for volunteering, moving house and study (up to 5 days)
- Long service recognition leave at 10, 15 and 20 years
- Pension scheme (3% employer contribution, 5% employee, with salary sacrifice option)
- Life assurance (2x salary) and Group Income Protection (up to state pension age)
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay (subject to qualifying service)
- Wellbeing support, including Mental Health Champions, First Aiders and an Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan (post-probation)
- Employee referral bonus scheme
- Discounted legal services and access to an extensive Employee Benefits Portal (gym membership, health plans, private medical insurance, dental, cinema and retail discounts)
- Eye care contributions
- Complimentary office fruit deliveries twice weekly
- On-site social space with pool table and subsidised bar
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