Josh

Josh Browes has recently started a new costs role at national law firm, Partners in Costs. He is now in his second year on the ACLT’s Costs Lawyer Professional Qualification.

My route into law has been far from traditional. I originally started my career in science, studying science and IT at college, before gaining a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at Sheffield Hallam University and completing a research master’s in Mass Spectrometry (MS) and Parkinson’s.

I was due to start a PhD in MS when Covid struck so I paused the idea of advanced learning and moved into a role as a quality assurance officer testing pharmaceutical products. It was fascinating work but after four years I felt I had reached my glass ceiling and was looking for a new challenge.

Science can feel limiting at times so after a colleague moved from science into the legal sector I began to research if it could be the right fit for me. I quickly realised it carried many of the attributes I was seeking to continue my development and learning. It is constantly evolving and requires you to think on your feet and problem solve, while also being a profession in constant demand.
Through a training programme at a national law firm, I became a fully-fledged costs draftsman within six months and decided to enhance my professional development by enrolling on the ACL course six months later. Coming from a niche area of science, I was drawn to costs as it is a niche area of law that allows you to gain insight into the multitude of areas within the legal sector.

Unlike other people in the profession, I don’t have a background in law so I sometimes felt like I was out of my depth and wanted to create a solid foundation of knowledge. The first year on this course has already provided me with a fantastic footing and I can see the positive impact it is having on my day-to-day work. At the beginning of the course, I certainly did not feel like the smartest person in the room but once you start to get to grips with the knowledge and see how your expertise is growing it’s a wonderful feeling.

The course requires regular extensive reading, but once you get embedded, it is extremely manageable and a plethora of support is available throughout. I have already recommended the course to several people who have subsequently enrolled and the feedback has always been positive. It makes sense to me to continue learning while you work as the industry is ever evolving and, if you are lucky like I have been, many employers are open to funding the course even if you move to another firm. My course was originally funded by my previous employer with Partners in Costs now funding the remaining study.

Costs will always be vital to the sector so it is an investment that will pay off in dividends. It’s also an incredibly interesting role that I believe could evolve into more of an advisory role to help keep disputes out of court. For anyone considering a role in costs I would highly recommend this course as it provides knowledge in the bucket load and is designed to help you succeed.

Added April 2025