Associate - Public Law & Human Rights

Irwin Mitchell LLP; Gatwick, Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days of holiday

Annual pay and bonus review

Health and wellbeing support

Pension arrangements

Volunteer days

Employee discounts

Job summary

Irwin Mitchell LLP is seeking a Solicitor/Associate to join our Gatwick/Cambridge Court of Protection Health & Welfare team, managing a dedicated caseload and delivering high-quality, client-focused legal services.

You will work with experienced colleagues on capacity assessments, safeguarding, and public law matters, with opportunities to influence outcomes for vulnerable adults and their families.

Qualifications

• Solicitor (NQ - 6 years PQE)
• Court of Protection (Health & Welfare)
• Experience with vulnerable adults and capacity matters
• Familiarity with judicial review and public law processes
• Experience in Community Care is desirable

Responsibilities

• Manage a dedicated Court of Protection Health & Welfare caseload
• Handle Section 21A challenges to deprivation of liberty
• Oversee best interests applications including residence, care, contact, and medical treatment
• Advise on capacity disputes and safeguarding matters
• Support vulnerable clients with complex needs and pursue Care Act/public law judicial reviews
• Pursue Continuing Healthcare appeals

Skills

Mental capacity law

Working with vulnerable adults

Judicial review

Care Act

Job description

Who We Are

As one of the UK's leading law firms, we're here for the people and businesses who rely on us at life's important moments - made possible by our colleagues who bring the expertise, judgement and care that makes the difference.

Our colleagues bring Irwin Mitchell to life every day, so it matters that you feel valued from the very first day and are trusted with the responsibility, in the right culture, to do the best work of your careers. Everyone's path here is different, but we share a desire to help our business make a real impact.

Where possible we will support our colleagues to work in a way that works for them, for us and most importantly our clients. Please speak to a member of our Recruitment and Onboarding team for more information.

Your Role and What You'll Be Doing

Our Public Law & Human Rights team specialises in mental capacity, deprivation of liberty, and health & welfare disputes in the Court of Protection, acting for vulnerable adults and their families. The department is consistently recognised in national legal directories for its expertise in health and welfare work before the Court of Protection.

Our Gatwick and Cambridge teams are led by experienced Court of Protection specialists who advise on complex welfare matters involving adults who lack capacity. The team acts in a broad range of cases concerning residence, care arrangements, contact, capacity assessments, safeguarding concerns, and challenges to restrictive care arrangements. They are regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor, family members, advocates, and litigation friends.

We are seeking aSolicitor/Associate to join our Gatwick/Cambridge team and manage a dedicated Court of Protection Health & Welfare caseload, which may include:

• Section 21A challenges to deprivation of liberty
• Best interests applications, including matters relating to residence, care, contact, and medical treatment
• Capacity disputes
• Safeguarding and risk-related matters
• Supporting vulnerable clients with complex needs
• Care Act and public law judicial reviews
• Continuing Healthcare appeals

You will work closely with highly experienced colleagues and gain exposure to high-quality, meaningful cases that make a genuine difference to people's lives.

About You

Experience in the following areas is desirable but not essential:

• Solicitor (NQ - 6 years PQE)
• Court of Protection (Health & Welfare)
• Mental capacity law
• Working with vulnerable adults
• Community Care
• Judicial review

We welcome applications from candidates who are passionate about protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals and committed to delivering compassionate, client-focused legal services. The successful candidate will be motivated by the opportunity to undertake rewarding work that has a direct and lasting impact on the lives of clients and their families.

Our Approach to Reward and Wellbeing

• 25 days' holiday as standard, rising to 28 days depending on role level, plus bank holidays and the option to purchase additional leave.
• Opportunities to share in our success through annual pay and bonus review processes for eligible colleagues.
• Health and wellbeing support, including Westfield Health and Digital GP access.
• Competitive pension arrangements to help you plan for the future.
• Two paid volunteering days every year to support causes that matter to you.
• Access to a range of colleague discounts and lifestyle benefits to support you both inside and outside of work.

We also offer a wide range of well-being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you're fully supported.

In 2026, Irwin Mitchell was recognised in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work guide and was the only law firm included in the 'Very Big' organisation category

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose. We're committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim.

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It's made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.

Applying to Irwin Mitchell

We want every candidate to have a positive, fair and transparent recruitment experience. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please speak to a member of our Recruitment & Onboarding team or contact [e-mail]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly common part of modern working life. If you choose to use AI tools as part of your application or interview preparation, please review our AI in Recruitment Candidate Guidance AI Candidate Guidance

As part of joining the Irwin Mitchell Group, all successful applicants are required to complete our employment screening process. We carry out pre employment screening to establish your eligibility to work in the UK, and understand any criminal records or adverse financial history.

Our onboarding processes are designed to help us maintain the high standards of trust, integrity and professionalism expected by our colleagues, to protect the interests of the Group, clients, partners and other stakeholders.

Checks are conducted by trusted 3rd parties and the employment screening process will fully comply with Data Protection and other applicable laws.

Irwin Mitchell LLP is an equal opportunity employer.