Court of Protection Solicitor

Hireful; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job description

Davies and Partners Solicitors is a well-established law firm with over 30 years’ experience. It has a national reputation for excellence and strength in depth in a wide selection of legal services for businesses & individuals. There are 5 offices in Gloucester, Bristol, Birmingham, London and Devon.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• To work alongside senior members of the Department with substantial case files and to provide litigation support, which may include contentious Deputyship work.
• To demonstrate an awareness of clients’ needs and perceptions to the discharge of your work for them and to act promptly, pro-actively and efficiently in relation to all client matters.
• Areas of work will include the management of Property and Affairs Deputyships, working with brain injured and vulnerable clients, Trust management, assisting with tax affairs and accounts, drafting Personal Injury Trusts, Statutory Wills, Welfare Deputyship applications and other associated applications to the Court of Protection.
• To have day-to-day contact with clients and act on their individual lifestyle requirements, including making payments and keeping accurate records, and being available to attend clients’ locations when required.
• Delegate and supervise tasks where appropriate to paralegals and trainees.
• To apply proper professional standards (SRA and OPG Deputy Standards) and gaining an awareness of the provisions of the office manual and observing best practice in the prevention of claims against the firm for professional negligence and in particular operating with a high degree of personal organisation.
• To achieve legitimate billing in line with figures to be agreed with the Department/Unit Head.
• To comply with all other departmental procedures including the regulation and control client indebtedness.
• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the law in your areas of specialisation and to comply with the continuing professional development requirements.
• To seek to develop and improve the quality of your workload and level of your expertise.

Your job title does not define or limit your duties and you may be required to carry out other work within your abilities from time to time at our request.

We reserve the right to introduce changes in line with technological developments which may impact upon your job duties or methods of working.

Location - Davies and Partners Solicitors, Rowan House, Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3RT, 250 Aztec West, Park Avenue, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 or Latham House, Birmingham, B1 2AJ

Working hours - Monday to Friday – 37.5 per week flexible hours in the Bristol or Birmingham office. Some hybrid working can be agreed but should be flexible to suit departmental needs.

Compliance - As part of our compliance procedures, applicants are asked to note that:

• references will be followed up;
• all gaps in CVs must be explained satisfactorily;
• proof of identity and (where applicable) qualifications will be required;
• reference requests will ask specifically whether the applicant has ever been subject to any proceedings/complaints initiated by the Law Society or any other professional body.
• appropriate suitability checks may be required prior to confirmation of appointment.

This role meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This role will require applicants who are offered employment to be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions.

Equal Opportunities

Davies and Partners Solicitors provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable national laws. Davies and Partners Solicitors complies with applicable national laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Personal Specification

• Appropriate DBS disclosure will be required prior to confirmation of appointment.
• Right to live and work in the UK e.g. valid UK passport or appropriate visa/work permits.
• Legally qualified as a Solicitor and registered with the SRA, or FCILEx qualified Legal Executive within Court of Protection and Clinical Negligence, with between 3-5 years PQE (Grade B).
• Appropriate experience of Court of Protection law and practice.
• Ability to maintain and build upon existing client relationships through positive business development and acting as an ambassador of the company.
• Self-organised and proactive.
• Ability to take responsibility and solve problems.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality.
• Adaptable to the needs of the business as changes occur during the operational requirements.
• Competent in the effective use of Case Management and other IT systems.
• The ability to prioritise, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.

You may have experience of the following: Court of Protection Legal Advisor, Deputyship & Trusts Solicitor, Court of Protection Case Manager, Legal Specialist in Court of Protection, Solicitor - Property & Affairs Deputyship, Senior Court of Protection Associate, Welfare & Property Deputyship Solicitor, Deputyship & Welfare Legal Practitioner, Court of Protection Litigation Solicitor, Personal Injury & Court of Protection Solicitor, etc.

REF- 221 045