Court of Protection Solicitor / Legal Executive

Key Objectives

• To operate as a specialist in our Court of Protection Team dealing solely with property and financial affairs. Advising and supporting vulnerable individuals who have lost capacity and/or are no longer able/wanting to manage their property and financial affairs.

Key Responsibilities

• Running your own caseload with supervision
• Drafting and submitting applications and witness statements to the Court of Protection, including Court Panel referrals.
• Clear understanding of the various CoP applications and the ability to coordinate and manage a case from start to completion.
• To communicate confidently and clearly with a wide variety of clients, family members and third parties (this includes face-to-face, written and on the telephone)
• To have the ability to deal with difficult situations arising from the complex nature of CoP applications and advising on the least restrictive principles as per MCA (2005).
• To maintain professional confidentiality in all matters relating to clients.
• Respond to priority matters within short timescales whilst delivering the same quality and equitable service.
• Ensure full compliance with professional code of conduct/code of practice, firm policies and maintain professional registration and training.
• Preparation of annual reports
• Conducting legal research
• Liaising and consulting with senior members on the general management of client matters

Person Specification

• We are looking for someone with a personable nature, who thinks critically and enjoys solving problems
• Be empathetic, confident, enthusiastic, and passionate about this area of law
• Qualified lawyer (SRA route or CILEX).
• Property and financial affairs experience only
• Be numerate, understand the importance of accuracy and comfortable working with budgets and accounts
• The ability to manage complex caseloads whilst maintaining attention to detail and a seamless service for clients
• Well organised with strong attention to detail
• Confident with IT systems including case management systems (experience with SOS would be an advantage)
• Mentoring and training junior staff and delegating tasks as appropriate
• Collaborative team player
• Ability to work to deadlines, manage a busy workload and to report on progress; appropriate balance between confidence in own judgement and knowing when to refer decisions to seniors within the team