Court of Protection Solicitor - Deputyship Team in City of London

Role: Court of Protection Solicitor- Deputyship Team

A Leading law firm looking to recruit dedicated and experienced Court of Protection Solicitor for highly sought permanent positon.

Gemini Recruitment are currently partnering with a large and established law firm. Our client serves corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 practice areas from offices throughout London and across England and Wales. Our client’s accomplishments are acknowledged and recommended in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, as a top tier firm.

Our client holds the Investors in People Gold Accreditation Quality Standard Mark and is LEXCEL, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001-2013 accredited and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Department Background:

Our client's Court of Protection finance team act as professional deputy, managing financial affairs for many vulnerable clients. Clients are referred by the Office of the Public Guardian to Philippa Barton as panel deputy, and by litigation teams acting for incapacitated clients who have recovered damages awards.

You will be responsible for day to day management of our clients’ finances including building good relationships with clients, dealing with one off requests for payments, making applications to the court, managing building projects, managing tax and insurance issues and completing OPG reports.
The team also act for clients applying to be appointed as lay deputy and deal with probate matters.
The team director is ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers. Client testimonials say that the team is "knowledgeable about all things Court of Protection" and they are "empathetic, approachable and diligent."

The team is fast growing and very busy. The team works closely together and prioritises providing a high level of client care and a very efficient service.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will have a genuine interest in Court of Protection Deputyship work, demonstrate a strong understanding of mental capacity law and financial deputyship matters, and be committed to delivering exceptional client care to vulnerable clients and their families.

The role will involve:

• Reporting directly to the Department Director.
• Managing a varied caseload of Court of Protection Property & Affairs Deputyship matters.
• Conducting day-to-day case management, including preparing deputyship applications, annual reports, Court documents, legal correspondence and deputyship-related applications.
• Assisting with the administration of deputyship estates, including management of client finances, investments, property matters and ongoing financial affairs.
• Liaising with clients, family members, case managers, financial advisers, accountants, trustees, local authorities and other professionals.
• Preparing applications to the Court of Protection relating to gifting, statutory wills, property transactions and other financial matters.
• Supporting compliance with Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) requirements and reporting obligations.
• Maintaining accurate file management, compliance and time recording procedures.
• Assisting with the supervision and mentoring of junior team members where appropriate.
• Implementing recommendations arising from file reviews and supervision.Supporting business development, networking and marketing initiatives within the department.
• Delivering excellent client care while managing deadlines and maintaining high professional standards.

Key Skills Required:

• Qualified Solicitor with 0-3 years' PQE and a clean, valid Practising Certificate.
• Experience in Court of Protection Property & Affairs Deputyship work.
• Good knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Court of Protection practice and relevant procedures.
• Experience managing caseloads, preparing Court applications, reports and legal documents, and meeting deadlines.
• Experience of deputyship administration, financial management, OPG reporting and related Court of Protection processes would be advantageous.
• Strong client care skills with the ability to work sensitively and effectively with vulnerable clients and their families.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with clients, professional contacts and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities, with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, use sound judgement and contribute effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Commercial awareness and an interest in business development and networking activities.
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Office and case/document management systems.
• Mental Capacity Accreditation, experience of trust management, personal injury trusts or estate administration would be advantageous but are not essential.

Onofferisanattractivesalarypackage,asupportiveteamenvironmentandrealprospectsforcareerprogressionandpromotion.TheCompanywillconsiderapplicantswishingtoworkpart-time,full-timeorwithflexibleworkingarrangements.TheCompanyalsooffershybridworking,includingopportunitiestoworkfromhome.

TheCompanyiscommittedtoEqualOpportunitiesandembracesdiversityandinclusivity.Itstrivestoensurethatitsworkforcereflectsthediversityofthecommunitiesitserves.