Trainee Paralegal jobs

Join us as a Trainee Legal Costs Draftsman & Negotiator!

Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6
Salary: £26,436.80 based on 40 hours per week
Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Join Our Costs Team

Are you looking to build a long-term legal career with a specialist and supportive team?

We're looking for a Trainee Legal Costs Draftsman & Negotiator to join our growing Costs Department. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious individual who is keen to develop specialist knowledge in legal costs, negotiation, and litigation support whilst working alongside experienced Costs Lawyers and legal professionals.

No two days are the same in this role. You'll gain hands-on experience drafting legal costs documents, supporting negotiations, and assisting with costs litigation while receiving training and development to become a skilled Legal Costs Draftsman and Negotiator.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Trainee Legal Costs Draftsman & Negotiator, you'll support the Costs Team in maximising the recovery of legal fees and disbursements while developing your technical knowledge and commercial awareness. Your responsibilities will include:

• Drafting Schedules and Bills of Costs.
• Preparing litigation costs documents, including Costs Budgets, Estimates, and Statements of Costs for Trials and Applications.
• Supporting the negotiation of legal costs and disbursements.
• Assisting with costs litigation, including Part 8 Proceedings, applications, and detailed assessment proceedings.
• Liaising with legal teams and internal stakeholders to progress matters efficiently.
• Developing and maintaining knowledge of relevant Case Law, Rules, and Practice Directions.
• Ensuring departmental turnaround times and service standards are achieved.
• Maintaining compliance with Information Security and data confidentiality requirements.
• Upholding the Winn Group's core values in all aspects of your work.
• Undertaking training and development activities to build your expertise within legal costs.

What We're Looking For

Essential Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical ability.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work towards deadlines.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively towards shared goals and objectives.
• Solution-focused approach to problem solving.
• Good IT skills and confidence using Microsoft Office applications.
• Commitment to personal and professional development.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within a legal, professional services, or office-based environment.
• Experience working towards performance objectives or targets.
• Experience managing workloads within deadline-driven environments.
• Previous administration, customer service, or legal support experience.
• Knowledge or interest in legal costs and litigation processes.

Why Join Us?

We believe our people are our greatest asset and offer a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance, including:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Additional birthday holiday.
• Buy and sell holiday scheme (subject to eligibility).
• Career development and progression opportunities.
• Structured training and specialist development.
• Employee wellbeing initiatives.
• Corporate Metro and Bike to Work schemes.
• Regular social and charitable events.

About You

You'll thrive in this role if you enjoy:

✅Learning and developing specialist legal knowledge.
✅ Working with accuracy and attention to detail.
✅ Negotiating and achieving positive commercial outcomes.
✅ Working towards goals and performance targets.
✅ Collaborating with colleagues in a supportive team environment.
✅ Building a rewarding long-term career within the legal sector.

Next Steps

If you feel this role is the right fit for you, then Apply Now! Closing date for this role is Friday 30th October.

Shortlisting and screening will take place the week commencing 2nd November and face to face interviews the week commencing 9th November. If you have not heard from us by this date, your application has been unsuccessful.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Pay: £26,438.80 per year

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1PL: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Do you require sponsorship to work in the UK? If so, from when?

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person