Becoming A Law Costs Draftsman: A Comprehensive Guide

A law costs draftsman is a specialist lawyer who settles the legal costs of a court case. In England and Wales, a costs lawyer must hold a practising certificate issued by the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB). To qualify, you must complete the Level 6 Costs Lawyer Qualification and two years of Qualifying Experience under the supervision of a Qualified Person. The role is well-paid, with experienced costs lawyers earning up to £90,000 per year.

Complete the Level 6 Costs Lawyer Qualification

To qualify as a costs lawyer, you need to complete the Level 6 Costs Lawyer Qualification, along with a minimum of three years of supervised practice. This can be undertaken before, during, or after your study. The qualification is provided by ACL Training, the educational arm of the Association of Costs Lawyers. ACL Training is currently the sole provider of the Costs Lawyer Qualification in England and Wales.

The course is split into three units and includes assignments, practical seminars, and exams at the end of each unit. It is delivered via distance learning as trainees are usually in full-time employment. If you don't already have any legal qualifications, you will have to complete all three units, which takes three years.

In order to start studying, you must be at least 18 years old and have one of the following or equivalent:

• Four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and maths
• Two A-levels and one GCSE, including English
• Three AS-level passes, including either English or maths
• A GNVQ at an intermediate or advanced level (if a communications skills element is included)
• Passed a written aptitude test set by the ACL

If you have a qualifying law degree or other relevant legal qualification, you may be eligible for exemptions from some course modules or units. This can reduce the time it takes to complete the qualification to 12 months, depending on the level and content of your qualification.

The Level 6 Costs Lawyer Qualification is assessed at the Regulations Qualification Framework (RQF) Level 6. It is recommended that students can demonstrate prior qualification equivalent to RQF Level 3 (GCSEs or equivalent) with a grade C/4 or above in English Language and Mathematics, or have previous work experience.

Gain two years of Qualifying Experience

To become a law costs draftsman, you will need to complete two years of Qualifying Experience. This can be done before, during, or after studying for the Costs Lawyer Qualification. This period of work experience must be undertaken in costs law and practice under the supervision of a suitably qualified person. The purpose of this is to ensure that trainees can demonstrate the competencies required of a newly qualified Costs Lawyer, as set out in the Costs Lawyer Competency Statement.

During your two years of Qualifying Experience, you will need to practise the skills outlined in the Competency Statement in a day-to-day working environment. This includes gaining experience in the following areas:

• Contentious and non-contentious advice
• Advocacy
• Costs management
• Pro bono work
• Legal aid work relating to costs
• Administrative and regulatory aspects of costs work, such as client care, billing, and training
• Managing a costs practice or other costs advisers

You can gain this experience through a variety of roles, including working as a costs draftsman, solicitor, barrister, or chartered legal executive. This experience can be gained in any organisation, as long as the work undertaken primarily relates to costs law and practice.

Part-time work will also count towards your Qualifying Experience on a pro-rata basis. For example, if you work 2.5 days per week, it will take you four years to gain the necessary experience. Normal periods of annual leave will be considered part of a full-time workload, but periods of extended leave such as parental leave, long-term sick leave, or career breaks will not count towards your Qualifying Experience.

Once you have completed your two years of Qualifying Experience, you will need to submit evidence to the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB) to demonstrate that your experience meets the required standards. This evidence will include a Qualifying Experience Record, where you provide examples of how you have practised each skill in the Competency Statement, and a Qualified Person Statement from each supervisor who oversaw your Qualifying Experience.

Apply for a practising certificate from the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB)

To apply for a practising certificate from the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB), you must have completed the Costs Lawyer Qualification and at least two years of Qualifying Experience. The CLSB does not deliver the qualification directly to students but accredits established study providers to do so. The current accredited provider is ACL Training Ltd.

The Costs Lawyer Qualification is a course of study in costs law and practice. It is delivered by a training provider that is accredited by the CLSB. You may be eligible for exemptions from certain aspects of the qualification if you have completed relevant prior learning, such as a law degree or professional training course.

Qualifying Experience is work undertaken in costs law and practice for a period of two years under the supervision of a suitably qualified person. This can be carried out before, during, or after studying for the Costs Lawyer Qualification, and it can be completed in multiple organisations or under multiple supervisors. The purpose of the Qualifying Experience is to ensure that trainees can demonstrate the competencies required of a newly qualified Costs Lawyer.

Once you have completed the Costs Lawyer Qualification and your Qualifying Experience, you can apply to the CLSB for a practising certificate. This certificate will allow you to carry out reserved legal activities and have your name included in the Register of Costs Lawyers.

Develop a range of skills, from analytical and communication skills to budgeting and IT skills

To become a law costs draftsman, you must develop a range of skills, including analytical, communication, budgeting, and IT skills.

Analytical Skills

Analytical skills are a type of soft skill that enables you to identify and solve complex problems. They are highly valued by employers as they can improve a company's operations and are applicable across all industries. Critical thinking, data and information analysis, research, and problem-solving are key components of analytical thinking. Critical thinking involves questioning preconceived notions and identifying areas for improvement, which is often the first step in innovation. Data and information analysis help identify issues and solutions by interpreting data, improving decision-making. Research skills help determine the most effective solutions by gathering information from various sources, including formal research and experimentation. Problem-solving skills are then applied to design solutions based on the research gathered.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are highly sought after by employers and are crucial for building healthy connections and effective collaboration in the workplace. Effective communication involves transmitting ideas, instructions, opinions, or emotions clearly and confidently, considering the receiver's perspective and responding appropriately. Active listening is a vital aspect of communication, ensuring accurate interpretation and understanding of information. Verbal, non-verbal, and written communication are the three main categories of communication. Verbal communication includes nuances such as tone of voice, enunciation, and inflection, while non-verbal communication encompasses eye contact, hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Written communication, including handwriting and typed text, is essential for documentation and formal correspondence.

Budgeting Skills

Budget management skills are essential for professionals in supervisory or financial management roles. They involve planning and regulating spending, facilitating business growth, and promoting financial stability. Financial analysis, budget auditing, communication, budget reporting, forecasting, and organization are key budgeting skills. Financial analysis involves creating budget plans and strategies by interpreting financial data. Budget auditing evaluates the effectiveness and viability of a budget, ensuring compliance with financial regulations. Clear communication of budget objectives, trends, forecasts, and reports to stakeholders and colleagues is crucial. Budget reporting involves creating predictions and financial objectives, comparing them to actual financial reports, and making necessary adjustments. Forecasting creates revenue estimates for the fiscal year based on past data and projections, aiding in investment decisions and resource management. Organization is essential for tracking multiple income streams and expenses, maintaining financial records, and creating reports.

IT Skills

IT skills are essential in the modern workplace and vary depending on the industry and role. Basic IT skills, such as proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, email communication, data entry, and online research, are required in most positions. Advanced IT skills, including programming, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and machine learning, are more specialized and often required for technical roles. Word processing involves creating and formatting text-based documents, such as letters, articles, and reports. Spreadsheets enable data entry, analysis, and the creation of charts and graphs for financial and marketing purposes. Presentation software enhances the creation of engaging and informative digital presentations. Programming is necessary for software development and involves creating, troubleshooting, and editing code. Cybersecurity skills are in high demand to protect sensitive data and maintain secure networks. Cloud computing skills are valuable as more businesses migrate their data to cloud platforms.

Gain work experience in litigation or law costs

Gaining work experience in litigation or law costs is a crucial step towards becoming a law costs draftsman. This experience provides valuable insights and skills that are essential for a career in this field. Here are some ways to gain that valuable experience:

Litigation Experience:

Litigation experience refers to hands-on work in civil or criminal court cases. It involves participating significantly in the court process, which can vary depending on the type of litigation. Civil litigation includes cases related to breach of contract, car accidents, personal injury, property disputes, business disputes, divorce, and more. Criminal litigation, on the other hand, involves steps such as investigation, charging, bail, pretrial hearings, plea negotiations, trial, and appeals.

To gain litigation experience, consider the following avenues:

• Law schools often offer clinical experience programs that provide students with real-case litigation exposure.
• Entry-level positions in litigation firms can give you a foot in the door and valuable experience.
• Pro bono work is another excellent way to gain litigation experience if paid positions are not available.

Law Costs Experience:

Experience in law costs involves understanding the financial aspects of legal proceedings. This includes knowledge of legal fees, billing, budgeting, and cost assessments. Costs lawyers work with firms of solicitors or directly with members of the public, including businesses, to ensure proper financial management of legal services.

• Working in the costs department of a law firm or as a legal assistant/paralegal can provide experience in costing out claims, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Internships or work placements in in-house legal teams can offer insights into the financial aspects of legal processes, such as compliance, data protection, contracts, and costs.
• Experience in a company's finance department or as a court clerk can also provide valuable exposure to the financial side of legal proceedings.
• Practical experience in costs can be gained in insurance companies or local government finance/legal service departments.

By pursuing these opportunities, you can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful law costs draftsman.

Frequently asked questions