About the role
We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Business graduates to join our legal team as a Costs Litigation Assistant. Don’t worry you don’t need to have experience in law! We believe that your Business Management degree experience will give you a great foundation to build on.
We provide full training on all aspects of the role. You’ll have access to structured training from your Line Manager, mentorship from experienced colleagues, and ongoing support from your work Buddy.
You will get involved in:
Preparation of costs schedules for trial.
Counting and drafting breakdowns of costs at case conclusion, to assist with recovery of costs from between the parties to litigation and to assist with calculating client charges.
Liaising with service providers to our clients such as barristers to ascertain final fees and fee estimates.
Preparation of risk assessments.
Making telephone calls to progress cases in terms of costs negotiations and payments on account of cost.
Assisting with the preparation of cost budgets.
Reviewing the work done for the client and preparing chronologies and descriptions of the steps taken.
We offer a Salary is £27,000 per annum, as well as a monthly commission of £200 if targets are achieved.
We have a cohort of Costs Litigation Assistants starting on Monday 19th January 2026. If you are available to start full time from then, we would love to hear from you.
We set you up to succeed
We provide full training through our Costs Training Programme on all aspects of the role. A Costs Litigation Assistant works with the costs team and solicitors to manage the financial side of legal cases. This includes preparing, checking and negotiating costs, bills and schedules (which are lists of expenses). They also help make sure the firm recovers the money it’s owed.
Training will be given in new starter groups and one to one at your desk (both in person and over MS Teams).
We are committed to providing our employees with the guidance and resources they need to succeed in their roles and advance their careers.
We deliver on progression
This role has great career progression routes such as:
Trainee Costs Draftsperson: A tailored in-house training programme rotating throughout the three different costs roles (file handling, technical bill drafting and budgeting)
Trainee ACL lawyer, which is a formal qualification from the Association of Cost Lawyers for those who haven’t completed a law degree.
Solicitors Training Contract to qualify as a Solicitor for those who have completed a law degree.
Sadikur Rahman
The training provided was comprehensive and hands-on, helping me build a solid foundation in cost management while also giving me real-world experience. The learning environment was supportive, with mentors and peers alike always willing to share their knowledge and insights. The best part is how well the role aligns with my skills and interests, allowing me to grow professionally while contributing meaningfully to the team and business.
Sheraz Hussain
The foundation of my professionalism has been built with the continuous support received in my first corporate graduate role. Starting as a Cost Litigation Assistant has truly provided me with an abundance of knowledge, skills and a strong work ethic to thrive in my career.
Sam Ryan
My journey at Express Solicitors began as a Costs Litigation Assistant, and through the firm’s dedication to my growth, I’ve advanced into pursuing the ACLT qualification as a Trainee Costs Lawyer. Not many firms truly invest in their people, but Express Solicitors has consistently supported my educational and career development. In the Costs department, we’re fortunate to foster strong working relationships across the firm, which creates a collaborative and supportive environment that allows us to thrive together.
What are we looking for?
· A degree such as Business or other similar degree.
· GCSE Maths & English at C grade or above.
· Excellent written and oral communication skills.
· The ability to produce work that is highly accurate with excellent attention to detail.
· The ability to assess and analyse both numerical and written information.
· Be highly motivated, with the ability to work under pressure.
· The ability to work under your own initiative.
· Have a working knowledge of IT systems like Microsoft Office packages.
Apply now
Luke Proffitt
The standout for me has definitely been the training. You’re not just reading from a textbook or waiting ages to work on real cases. It’s practical and hands-on from the start, with experienced colleagues always there to guide you and offer advice whenever you need it.
Matilda Gordon
After a little over a year at Express, I was given the chance to make a huge decision to explore the route I wanted to take in my career and I was supported in preparing my application to become a trainee solicitor. Now, as a trainee, I am given the responsibility of handling my own caseload whilst assisting and gaining a wide range of experiences with well-established lawyers across the firm. My supervisor provides weekly check-in opportunities to discuss anything I need assistance with and to meet my training needs. This support is immensely helpful whilst I am completing my training period and PSC.
Lucy Shaw
A role in costs appealed to me as I have an eye for detail. When working on a claim the details need to be analysed with diligence. The training provided to me has been excellent and the culture in the department is extremely supportive.
About us
Established in 2000, Express Solicitors is an award-winning law firm that deals with personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Based in Manchester, we serve clients nationwide and are currently ranked 64 out of more than 10,000 law firms. We have a 5-star rating on Trustpilot from over 8,000 reviews, which coming from our clients means a lot to us. We are proud of the work we do helping injured people, and this is the core of our business.
We work hard and play hard
Law has always been seen as a challenging profession. Express Solicitors expect you to work hard for our clients. But we also love to have fun, with regular department socials, yearly Christmas parties (paid for by the business) and every other year a Summer social at the CEO's house paid for by James, himself.
We are also have lots of other regular activities, with weekly football and netball games, a running club and a board game night.
Benefits
Hybrid Working
4/1 hybrid working pattern after probation.
23 Days Holiday
Rising to 26 days, plus bank/public holidays.
Extra Holidays
3 holiday buy backs and an extra day for your birthday after service length requirement.
Looking After Your Health
Private medical insurance available after 2 years’ service, annual flu jab and Employee Assistance Programme.
Looking After Your Well-being
24/7 onsite Gym, Netball/Football team, 10km Manchester team and more.
Work Life / Balance
Active social committee with generous departmental and firm-wide social budget.
Where are we?
South Court,
1 Sharston Road,
Manchester,
M22 4SN
Recruitment Process
The interview process will be a call with Anna Burns in the first instance to discuss the role in more detail and then an MS Teams interview with Carly Schofield.
Need more info?
Anna Burns, our Emerging Talent Officer, is happy to answer any questions you may have, about what Express Solicitors can offer you.
