Curriculum Vitae

Core Skills and experience

I have worked in the field of Law Cost Drafting for the last twenty three years. During this time I have gained considerable knowledge and expertise. I have dealt with the billing of both Civil and Matrimonial matters although primarily I have dealt with matrimonial cases. I completed the Association of Law Cost Draftsmen Examination in 2005 and subsequently became a Fellow of the Association and I qualified as a Costs Lawyer in June 2011. I have twelve years experience in the use of Costs Master which is a leading Cost Draftsmen’s Software package. I have been employed both as an in house Law Cost Draftsmen and within Independent Law Cost Drafting Firms. My previous experience and the attention to detail that I apply to my work means that I am able to prepare both Claim 1/Claim 1A Forms and detailed Bills for assessment by the Court to a meticulous standard and with exceptional expedition. I also have experience of using the CCMS online system.

Personal Details

D.O.B 19.06.75

Address- 59 Allington Place, Handbridge, Chester

Email address – pjrlawcostdrafting@yahoo.co.uk

Telephone (Mob) – 07889532036

Employment

March 2011 to the present date

I am currently working as a Freelance Law Cost Draftsmen.

My main areas of work are Public Law and Private Law Family Cases. I am able to prepare Fixed Fee claims for assessment by the Legal Aid Agency and also both Claim 1/Claim 1A Forms. I specialise in the preparation of exceptional claims for costs that escape the fixed fee and in particular those that require detailed assessment by the Court. I have an exceptional record of detailed assessment results and the majority of my Bills will come back from the Court assessed as drawn.

I am experienced in the preparation of High Costs Case Plans and will always maximise recovery of your costs.

I also attend Court for detailed assessment hearings and have considerable experience in doing so.

April 2003 to February 2011

Job Title – Costs Lawyer working in the Matrimonial Department

Company – North West Law Services, Law Costs Consultants, Queens House, Queens Road, Chester, CH1 3BQ

Responsibilities

Responsible for preparing Claim 1 forms, Claim 1A forms, Legal Help claims, detailed Bills and dealing with post assessment procedure including the completion of EX80A

and EX80B forms. This work was undertaken with exceptional expedition in order to meet high targets.

Liaising with Clients, the Legal Services Commission and Counsel’s Chambers and with the Court and advising Client’s in relation to costs issues

Attending at detailed assessment hearings as and when required.

March 2001 to March 2003

Job Title – Fee Unit Manager

Company – Morecrofts Solicitors, No 1 Tithebarn, 1 -5 Tithebarn Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L2 2NZ

Responsibilities

Responsible for the preparation of Claim 1 forms and detailed Bills in relation to both family and Civil matters. Completing EX80A and EX80AB forms, APP 8 Forms, Claim 4 forms, Claim 1 forms for final payment of costs and dealing with all steps involved in the pre and post assessment procedure to include all steps to obtaining final payment of costs on behalf of the Solicitor.

Liaising with Client’s Counsel’s Chambers/ Legal Services Commission, Court and with Fee Earner’s within the Company

Attending at Court for detailed assessment hearings as and when required Training and managing two trainees within the Unit Overall responsibility for the Fee Unit and reporting back to Fee Earners in relation

to their billing figures and attending departmental meetings with Fee Earners and providing advice to them in relation to how to maximise their costs.

February 2000 – March 2001

Job Title – Law Cost Draftsmen

Company – Clement Jones Solicitors

Responsibilities

Preparation of Legal Aid family Bills and Civil Bills using Excel and completing claims for final payment of costs.

Liaising with Client’s Counsel’s Chambers, Legal Services Commission and with the Court and also with Fee Earners within the Company.

April 1996 – February 2000

Job Title – Law Cost Draftsmen

Company – Kirby Hulme Ltd (now known as Kirby Costing Services) Andrew Kirby Managing Partner, Kirby Costing Services, Seger, Old Warren, Broughton, Nr Chester, Flintshire

Responsibilities

Preparing forms for submission to the Legal Services Commission and Bills for submission to the Court, using a dictation machine to formulate Bills to be typed

Liaising with Client’s Counsel’s Chamber’s ,legal Services Commission and the Court

Additional Skills and Attributes

I am a hardworking, trustworthy and extremely motivated individual. I am able to produce high quality work within limited timescales. I take great pride in my work and always ensure that my work is completed to a very high standard.

Education

School dates: 1978 - 1986 – St David’s Primary School, Mold1986 – 1993 – St Richard Gwyn High School, Flint

Qualifications

G.C.S.E’s

Maths C, Physical Education C, Business Studies C, French D, Geography D, English Language C, Religion C, English Literature D, Biology D

A Levels

Business Studies – BPhysical Education – E

A.S Levels

Business Studies – EGeneral Studies – E

Other Qualifications –

Clait 1 Computer qualification

Introduction to Counselling Qualification (B.A.C.P)

Other interests

I enjoy running, swimming, reading and socialising with friends and family

References

Mrs Gillian Thomas – Accounts Manager – FPH Law Solicitors, 11 & 12 Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, CH41 6AX Mrs Sue Delaney – BDH Solicitors, 26 Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, CH41 6AY