Nadine Lester
COSTS DRAFTSPERSON
Personal Injury Clinical Negligence
Nadine Lester is an experienced Cost Draftsman who has worked within the legal costs sector since 2017, developing strong expertise across drafting, negotiation and fixed costs. She began her career as a Cost Paralegal, supporting senior drafters and costs lawyers before progressing into negotiating both standard and fixed costs matters. In 2023 she moved into a drafting focused role, preparing standard basis bills, budgets and replies, and most recently expanded her expertise into Court of Protection work, drafting bills and preparing bundles for submission to the Court.
Nadine joined MRN on 1 September 2026 and brings a detailed, analytical and commercially focused approach to her work. She drafts bills of costs in both three column and electronic formats, prepares budgets, Precedent R and T documents, and produces comprehensive Replies. Her experience spans RTA, EL/PL, clinical negligence, inquiry work and Court of Protection matters. Nadine has a particular interest in negotiation and excels in analysing Points of Dispute, researching relevant case law and preparing clear, well reasoned responses. She is committed to providing a high level of service by understanding each client’s objectives from the outset, communicating clearly and proactively addressing issues before they escalate. Nadine prides herself on being approachable, responsive and reliable, ensuring that her work is accurate, commercially minded and tailored to the needs of each matter. Her ability to identify issues early, offer practical solutions and maintain strong communication helps clients feel confident that their costs are being managed effectively. Nadine has worked on several inquiry matters, including the Thirlwall Inquiry, where she assisted at the outset of instruction and created a bill template later used repeatedly by her firm. She also contributed to the Post Office Inquiry, drafting and advising on key details within the files. Being asked to work on such a high profile matter early in her drafting career remains one of her proudest professional accomplishments.
She is passionate about costs work because it combines legal analysis, problem solving, financial understanding and negotiation. Nadine particularly enjoys challenging opposing arguments, identifying weaknesses and using evidence, rules and case law to secure better outcomes. Her strong interest in IT and data also sets her apart; she embraces technology, enjoys working with spreadsheets and continually looks for ways to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Outside of work, Nadine loves to travel and has visited Central America, North America, Africa and Europe, with Japan next on her list. She is an avid reader with a personal library of more than 300 books. Her greatest personal accomplishment is organising annual coffee mornings in support of cancer research following her mother’s recovery in 2020, raising funds through games and baked goods. She also plays piano and achieved a distinction in her exam.
Nadine joined MRN on 1 September 2026 and brings a detailed, analytical and commercially focused approach to her work. She drafts bills of costs in both three column and electronic formats, prepares budgets, Precedent R and T documents, and produces comprehensive Replies. Her experience spans RTA, EL/PL, clinical negligence, inquiry work and Court of Protection matters. Nadine has a particular interest in negotiation and excels in analysing Points of Dispute, researching relevant case law and preparing clear, well reasoned responses. She is committed to providing a high level of service by understanding each client’s objectives from the outset, communicating clearly and proactively addressing issues before they escalate. Nadine prides herself on being approachable, responsive and reliable, ensuring that her work is accurate, commercially minded and tailored to the needs of each matter. Her ability to identify issues early, offer practical solutions and maintain strong communication helps clients feel confident that their costs are being managed effectively. Nadine has worked on several inquiry matters, including the Thirlwall Inquiry, where she assisted at the outset of instruction and created a bill template later used repeatedly by her firm. She also contributed to the Post Office Inquiry, drafting and advising on key details within the files. Being asked to work on such a high profile matter early in her drafting career remains one of her proudest professional accomplishments.
She is passionate about costs work because it combines legal analysis, problem solving, financial understanding and negotiation. Nadine particularly enjoys challenging opposing arguments, identifying weaknesses and using evidence, rules and case law to secure better outcomes. Her strong interest in IT and data also sets her apart; she embraces technology, enjoys working with spreadsheets and continually looks for ways to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Outside of work, Nadine loves to travel and has visited Central America, North America, Africa and Europe, with Japan next on her list. She is an avid reader with a personal library of more than 300 books. Her greatest personal accomplishment is organising annual coffee mornings in support of cancer research following her mother’s recovery in 2020, raising funds through games and baked goods. She also plays piano and achieved a distinction in her exam.