In our new On the Record interview series with TSR Legal Recruitment, Legal News Wales will speak to lawyers and professionals in legal services across the nation to explore the specialist roles, career path and daily working lives of individuals at the forefront of their profession.
In our first interview, Ryan Pryce, Director, TSR Legal, sat down with Kathryn Huxter, Senior Costs Lawyer at KE Costs, to hear how she found her niche in costs law, what her average day looks like and what its like to work in a national firm, supporting clients across Wales and England, with the work-life balance benefits of being based in West Wales.
Q: What it’s like to practice costs law, specifically in Wales?
A: The legal field is much broader than most people realise. It’s not just about recovering costs, it’s about understanding clients, handling personal injury and clinical negligence cases, litigation, and gaining insight into different areas of law and litigation processes. A deep understanding of the solicitor’s role is essential, along with the ability to anticipate the type of work a firm will take on in the future.
The introduction of fixed costs significantly reduced the number of smaller cases. Previously, there was a higher volume of lower-value cases, but now the focus is on fewer, more complex, and higher-value cases. This shift is not limited to Wales but is a nationwide trend.
In terms of Wales specifically, over the years I have seen an increase in the development of Welsh law firms which has led to many firms successfully taking on bigger and more complex work. In my first few years of working in costs, many of my Welsh clients instructed me on legal aid matters and dispute resolution cases. Over more recent years, I tend to be instructed on larger and more complex cases in a broader range of areas, particularly clinical negligence cases. Welsh Law firms are going from strength to strength and it’s been a joy to play a proactive part in helping firms reach amicable costs solutions with opponents.
Q: Tell us more about your day-to-day role.
A: We manage cases from start to finish, handling everything from drafting costs, undertaking negotiations to settling the final bill. I handle cases from start to finish and also, a significant part of my work over the years involves training junior team members, teaching them how to draft, prepare any PODs and Replies, along with how to engage in effective cost negotiation strategies for both Claimants and Defendants.
We’re also actively involved in client development, not only maintaining strong relationships with existing clients but also attracting new business. This includes generating leads through website traffic, hosting events, and having a dedicated marketing professional focused on nurturing current clients and bringing in new ones.
Q: Is specialist costs law advice for firms and in-house legal teams changing in light of economic and cashflow pressures?
A: I been fortunate to work with reputable firms and high-quality clients, which has provided valuable experience and stability.
However, there’s now increased pressure to secure higher value, more complex cases.
The introduction of budgets in 2015 brought some positive changes, helping to streamline processes and it has further developed relationships between solicitors and their costs lawyers as they work together to manage projected costs of a case. It meant that the impact of the 2013 reforms were not quite as significant as anticipated.
Firms that have struggled the most in this changing landscape are those that focused primarily on smaller claims, such as road traffic accidents and similar cases.
With the shift toward higher-value work and the reduction in recoverable costs for smaller claims, these firms have faced greater challenges in maintaining profitability and securing consistent work.
Q: You’ve worked as a Costs Lawyer in house and in private practice. What are the main differences?
A: Both environments are extremely fast-paced, but they differ significantly in focus and opportunities. In-house work is more centred around maintaining cash flow and quickly moving cases through the system, which often makes it easier to build relationships within the organisation. On the other hand, private practice tends to be more complex, involving a wider variety of cases and more intricate legal processes.
The career paths in these settings also vary greatly. In private practice, progression typically follows a structured path, moving from associate to senior associate and eventually to partner status.
In contrast, in-house roles offer different types of advancement opportunities, with positions like team leader or head of department providing alternative routes for career growth.
Q: Costs Law is still a niche practice area. How did you come into the profession and what has been your greatest achievement to date?
A: I stumbled into the field of costs without knowing much about it initially but quickly discovered a genuine passion for the role. It’s a lot more complex and varied than most people realise, offering a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment.
There’s been increasing discussion around introducing Costs Apprenticeships as a way to bring more people into the profession and create a clearer entry path. This initiative could help attract fresh talent and address the growing demand for skilled costs professionals.
For anyone considering a career in this field, my advice is to be prepared for a fast-paced work environment where cases can vary significantly.
The work is challenging but rewarding, and starting as a costs paralegal often offers better pay compared to many other entry-level legal positions. Establishing more structured career development pathways could also help build momentum and attract a steady stream of new talent into the profession.
To view Kathryn’s profile and discover more about KE Costs work in Wales, click here.
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