About the job

Job summary

This position is based nationally.

Job description

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

We have an exciting opportunity for an EO Costs Draftsman at the Official Solicitor's Office (OSPT)

The OSPT

The office is an Arms’ Length Body of the Ministry of Justice. We promote access to justice for the most vulnerable members of our society who might otherwise be unable to use the services offered by the justice system due to their lack of mental capacity or because of their young age. The office combines the duties of 2 separate independent statutory office holders - the Official Solicitor to the Senior Courts and the Public Trustee. There are around 135 staff who support the work of the Official Solicitor and Public Trustee work, including lawyers, lay case managers and administrators and are based in Central London. We are committed to providing the best level of service we can for our clients.

The Official Solicitor’s roles include acting as a last resort litigation friend, and in some cases solicitor, for children (other than those who are the subject of child welfare proceedings) and for adults who lack mental capacity.

The role:

As Costs Draftsman, you will be responsible for drafting bills of costs and settling the Official Solicitor’s legal costs of Court proceedings. This is done through either negotiation with the paying party or through proceedings known as detailed assessment. You will draft Court of Protection Bills of Costs in all types of cases where chargeable work is undertaken by the Official Solicitor and prepare them for detailed assessment. You will also be responsible for providing general advice on costs matters to in house lawyers and case workers, answering general costs enquiries from the paying parties or their solicitors and other general costs enquiries.

You will be responsible for the management of your own caseload and ensure that all targets are met in accordance with office standards and the Civil Procedure Rules.

The are expected to work closely with the Finance & Registry teams, as well as Lawyers and Case Managers from across the office.  Ensuring that bills of costs are prepared and served in a timely manner and cases wher “P” is deceased are prioritised and bill prepared for payment by the Estate before winding up.

The successful candidate will report direct to the Grade C Senior Costs Draftsman. 

The Costs draftsman’s role requires people who are engaged in the work, self-motivated, team players and able to work under pressure. Excellent experience/skills in making effective decisions and communicating and influencing is essential.

The role requires the successful candidate to demonstrate the following behaviours from the success profile;

• Making Effective Decisions (lead behaviour)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

We currently operate a hybrid working arrangement. This means that 40% of the working week is office based. The successful candidate will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

If you would like further information about the role, please contact babatunde.sunmonu@ospt.gov.uk

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,223, Ministry of Justice contributes £7,377 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.