Paralegal - Court of Protection in City of London

Description

Exciting Opportunity at Judge and Priestley Solicitors LLP

Our Values

• Expert - We will invest in the continual development of our people, team and also technology to ensure that we continue to be experts in all that we do.
• Professional - We are accountable to our clients, colleagues, and all those with whom we engage to ensure that we are open, transparent and act with integrity in all that we do.
• Friendly - Whilst at all times being professional, we will ensure that we are approachable and seek to put those with whom we deal, at ease in their dealings with us.

Are you passionate in pursuing a career in Private Client within a leading regional law firm? Do you have experience in Court of Protection/Lasting Powers of Attorney? Then this might be the job for you!

Roles may be based in Sidcup, Blackheath, Beckenham or Bromley.

Recognised by The Lawyer as one of the UK’s top 200 law firms, our Private Client team has grown significantly in recent years and is now one of the biggest teams in the south east, supporting and advising clients on a comprehensive range of personal matters including: estate planning, tax, trust, probate (confident and non-contentious), wills and powers of attorney and elderly client affairs. The team members support clients making important personal decisions and through often challenging and difficult times in their lives and take pride in their empathetic approach, interacting with clients in a supportive manner, in clear terms which are easily understood.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of a solicitor you will use your strong communication skills to hold introductory meetings, give advice and take instruction from clients. You will use your attention to detail to draft documentation including wills, powers of attorney, correspondence, client care letters and letters of advice. You will also liaise effectively with all parties to the processes with the opportunity to participate in marketing and business development activities.

This is a great opportunity for a committed and enthusiastic individual to develop their career in a leading, diverse and friendly firm.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications:

• Educated to GSCE A-C grade standard in Maths and English (or equivalent)
• 2:1 Law degree (desirable)
• Legal Practice Course (desirable)
• Driving Licence (desirable)

Experience:

• You may have previous experience of working within a private client department (desirable)
• Ideally you will have Court of Protection/Lasting Powers of Attorney experience (desirable)

Knowledge:

• Overview of private client processes (desirable)
• Familiar with private client terminology (desirable)

Skills and Abilities:

• Must be organised, methodical and accurate
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
• Ability to work without close supervision
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Good communication skills both verbally and in writing
• IT literate including good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications
• Ability to think ahead and use initiative
• Ability to communicate courteously in a clear and concise manner with both clients and colleagues
• A polite, friendly and confident telephone manner
• Excellent time management skills
• Conscientious and common-sense approach to work
• High levels of accuracy and good attention to detail

Other:

• Must have a flexible attitude to work and time
• Tidy personal appearance
• Interest in progressing a career in this area of work

Benefits

• Profit Share Scheme - We want all our employees to have a share in the success of the firm. This non contractual bonus is paid in June based on the profit from the previous financial year.
• Volunteer Sabbatical - We offer our employees up to 2 days paid leave a year to contribute towards our CSR efforts.
• Long Service Awards - We recognise long service through special lunches, extra time off and a monetary reward.
• Wellbeing - Worklife Central - This multi-format programme covers four main topic areas: Careers, Families, Wellbeing and Inclusion. Support and resources are available through a wide range of online live talks, support groups and workshops, long and short-form videos accessible on demand and a library of articles, blogs and podcasts.
• Medicash - You will be enrolled into our scheme which provides cashback on a range of health services.
• Pension - All employees are entitled to join our auto enrolment pension scheme. You will be enrolled in the pension after 3 months of employment dependent on age and salary.
• Generous & Flexible Annual leave - We have a minimum of 25 days across the firm and you will receive an additional day’s holiday after every completed year of service to a total maximum of 30 days. You are also able to carry over up top 5 days of unused holiday entitlement.
• Birthday off - If your birthday falls on a working day, you can have that day off as an extra day’s leave.
• Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave - We include family friendly policies when after two years’ service you will be eligible for our enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Death in Service Insurance - All employees will be entitled to 2 x salary.
• Legal Fees - After one years’ service, you will be entitled to a contribution towards legal fees.
• Recruitment Incentive - We offer up to £2,000 (dependent on level of seniority) referral bonus to say thank you for introducing a job candidate that becomes employed by J&P and passes their probation.
• Season Ticket Loan - After probation, you are entitled to apply for an interest free advance for a season ticket to use public transport to reach your place of work.
• Cycle to Work Scheme - Allows you to make a saving of 25% - 39% on the retail price of a bike.