Court of Protection Solicitor

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 and individuals. There are 5 offices in Gloucester, Bristol, Birmingham, London and Devon.

Job Purpose

To work as a qualified professional with a team of specialists in the Court of Protection department who are primarily based in Bristol.

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.

Personal Specification

• Legal Status: 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.
• Education/Qualifications: 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).
• Skills/Knowledge: 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.

The following tasks provide a general overview of the types of activity, the candidate will be expected to engage in or oversee on a day-to-day basis. The tasks are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities as all employees are required to be flexible, dynamic and have the capacity to think creatively when presented with challenges.

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: Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3RT, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32

Salary: Competitive

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.

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.

You may also have experience in the following: Mental Capacity Solicitor, Health and Welfare Solicitor, Deputyship Solicitor, Statutory Wills Solicitor, Inherent Jurisdiction Solicitor, COP Solicitor, Court of Protection Lawyer, Solicitor Vulnerable Adults, Solicitor Mental Capacity, Health and Welfare Solicitor, Statutory Wills Solicitor, Mental Capacity Act, Deputyship applications, Lasting Power of Attorney, Statutory Wills.