Court of Protection Solicitor

JDI Legal - North East legal recruitment specialists are currently instructed on behalf of a highly regarded L500 law firm which offers a full range of legal services and it specialises in Court of Protection work and in particular, the needs of vulnerable clients including those suffering from complex brain injury. Their service is offered throughout England and Wales and we have a national client base.

The team are looking for an additional solicitor ideally someone around 4pqe, but the Directors are willing to consider a range of qualification including bright motivated NQs with a huge passion for Court of Protection work who can they ultimately train and mould. 

The role will involve supporting the Deputies  with Deputyship matters (the firm manage over 80  Deputyships nationwide) and assisting with the firm’s large number of Trust matters.

The day to day tasks will include :

Manage the ‘onboarding’ of new clients and supervise the making of an application to the Court of Protection seeking appointment of the firm as deputies.

Take a senior role in managing new clients, making significant decisions and supporting and supervising junior colleagues who are responsible for running the file on a daily basis.

Manage the handover process where we are taking over a file from a previous deputy.
Draft and file various applications with the Court of Protection as instructed by the deputies (or lay deputy), for example seeking the discharge of a deputy, post-settlement security reviews, gift applications, permission to make/amend financial investments, permission to purchase/sell property on behalf of a protected party and approval of personal injury/CICA trusts.

Instruct relevant professionals to prepare assessments of capacity, care or therapeutic need when such a report is required.

Consider financial review documents produced in respect of client investments and note performance against the agreed benchmark.
Supervise junior colleagues in relation to non-client matters including targets, billing, behaviours and general performance.
Check draft deeds, legal documents and non-legal documents prior to them being signed or implemented.
Manage any issue or dispute relating to the employment of a client’s carer or support worker, including termination of employment (liaising with any other relevant professionals as required).
Ensure workplace pension compliance and supervise the setting up of new pension schemes when required.
Take the lead on certain projects, such as the purchase of property/land, adaptations to property, change of case manager or purchase of a vehicle.
Review and amend OPG102/OPG103/OPG104/OPG105 deputy report forms once prepared by a junior file handler.

Answer queries raised by the Office of the Public Guardian regarding the deputy report once filed.
Manage the discharge procedure if client regains capacity, changes deputy or dies.
 

The role is ideally full time but flexible hours/working can be offered and agreed. Competitive salary and performance bonus is in place.

A firm that is in great shape, has further growth plans and offers a very exciting place to work.

For a confidential discussion about this role please contact our Jillian McKenzie for more information.