Legal Aid Costs Officer

About the role

Bhatt Murphy Solicitors is looking for a Legal Aid Costs Officer to join its finance team in London. The successful candidate will support the firm’s civil legal aid billing processes and help develop more efficient cost recovery systems.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and submit controlled work (legal help) and publicly funded claims to the Legal Aid Agency.
• Upload supporting documentation, manage claim submissions and report outcomes.
• Prepare appeals against Legal Aid Agency assessments and ensure compliance with internal file‑management procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of the costs recovery process and produce internal bills of costs.
• Prepare files for external costs lawyers and provide regular updates to colleagues.
• Assist with queries arising from Solicitors Accounts Rules and Legal Aid Agency audits.
• Support induction and training of new staff members.

Required profile

• Attention to detail and an organised, methodical approach to work.
• Strong numeracy and IT skills.
• Ability to work proactively and independently.
• Empathy with the firm’s ethos of protecting civil liberties.
• Desirable experience drafting controlled work or publicly funded claims and knowledge of LAA costs guidance.

Required skills

• IT skills

What we offer

• Competitive salary of £30,000‑£40,000 per year, dependent on experience.
• Full‑time or part‑time contract with the possibility to shape the finance team’s structure.
• Opportunity to work on high‑profile civil liberty cases within a growing law firm.