Court of Protection Solicitor (Health and Welfare)

Gemini Recruitment; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job description

Role: Court of Protection Solicitor (Health and Welfare)

A Legal500 leading law firm is looking to recruit a dedicated and experienced Solicitor for a highly sought permanent position.

Gemini Recruitment is 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.

Court of Protection Background:

The Court of Protection adjudicates or resolves disputes that concern adults who lack the mental capacity to make decisions. Disputes typically include whether the person has the capacity to make decisions and what is in that person’s best interests.

Our Client's Court of Protection team has been recognised by The Legal 500 for their dedication to achieving the best possible results for their clients and for putting a "tremendous amount of work" into their cases. The team is a multidisciplinary team regularly collaborating with the company’s experts in mental capacity, mental health, community care, clinical negligence, family, childcare, and public law.

They are dedicated to their clients and support family members and advocates and are regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor in cases relating to the wellbeing of an individual who lacks capacity, including health and welfare, medical treatment, financial issues, and mental capacity.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Report directly to the Department Director.
• Responsible for all aspects of Court of Protection work (health and welfare) and, on occasions, where appropriate, providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members.
• Conduct court of protection litigation and advocacy in relevant court hearings.
• Professional proactive approach, strong client care skills, and a sensitive and sympathetic understanding of clients’ needs.
• Ability to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities.
• Attending clients, taking instructions, and preparing cases.
• Dealing with correspondence.
• Maintaining accurate time-costing procedures.
• Implementing any recommendations made by your supervisor/director following monthly file reviews ensuring that these are dealt with promptly.
• Ensuring compliance with file management.
• You will have a professional, pro-active approach, strong client care skills, and be interested in Business Development and Marketing to supplement the substantial work volumes brought in by the Company.

Key Skills Required:

• Have extensive experience in dealing with health and welfare Court of Protection-related work.
• Experience in own advocacy is an advantage.
• Working knowledge of publicly funded Court of Protection work and the ability to service privately funded cases.
• Good working knowledge of Mental Capacity Law and practice appropriate to PQE.
• Must have a clean, valid Practicing Certificate at the time of applying.
• Team player and adapts well to new challenges.
• Previous proven supervisory experience is desirable and working on key performance indicators is essential.
• Professional with a proactive approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with vulnerable client matters sensitively and resolve complicated practicalities.
• Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business.
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills.
• Ability to use own initiative and sound judgment.
• Excellent IT Skills - familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills.
• Proven ability to manage a demanding caseload and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate and organised case records.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and build strong client relationships.

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required.

On offer is an attractive salary package, a supportive team environment, and real prospects for promotion. The Company will consider applicants wishing to work part-time, full-time, or with flexible working hours. The Company will allow hybrid working.

About Gemini Recruitment and Equal Opportunities:

Gemini Recruitment is a leading recruitment agency specialising in legal recruitment. We provide a highly focused service specialising in placements for Solicitors, Legal Executives, Trainee Solicitors, Paralegals, and Legal Support Staff. We have intimate knowledge of specific opportunities in the legal market across the UK.

The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws. Background checks including CRB / DBS checks will establish your eligibility to work in the UK and suitability to the role.